Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1141804
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 JULY 2019 17 COMMERCIAL 15 ACCESS to financing is vital to promote entrepreneurship and SME development, and build a competitive, innovative and sustainable tourism sec- tor. 'Funding Opportunities for Tourism Sector Projects' was the theme of a workshop co-organised by BOV and the Malta and Hotels and Res- taurants Association for the Maltese business community to explore different EU and Malta based funding options for the hospitality industry. Speaking during this event, Mark Scicluna Bartoli, Execu- tive EU & Institutional Affairs at Bank of Valletta said 'The ability of tourism entrepre- neurs to access finance re- quired at each stage of their business lifecycle, coupled with the right financing con- ditions is crucial towards the success of this industry.' 'EU and Malta funded Guarantee instruments pro- vide easier access to finance through reduced collateral re- quirements and finance costs', continued Scicluna Bartoli. 'BOV Jaime and BOV SME Invest provide bank financing up to a maximum of €750,000, at attractive interest rates and reduced collateral obligations.' The workshop concluded with an exchange of views with officials from Jobs Plus, the Ministry for EU Affairs and Equality, and Malta Enterprise how different EU and nation- al funds can be combined to ensure maximum benefit for businesses in the hospitality industry. SMEs are invited to visit any BOV Branch or Business Centre or to send an email to smefinance@bov.com for as- sistance in identifying the fi- nancing solution to suit their requirements. BOV and MHRA's 'Funding Opportunities for Tourism Sector Projects' HARLEY-DAVIDSON is a company which is now easily one of the most recognizable in the world. It has been in op- eration for over 100 years and is a staple of the motorcycle industry. Nowadays whenever the Harley-Davidson brand is seen or mentioned, images of hard riders, leather jackets and iconic bikes instantly flash past one's mind, cementing the American biker culture cultivated by the motorcycle company. The humble origin story of Harley-Davidson has become something of an American Legend. Dating back to 1901, co-founder William S. Harley, completed his first ever blue- print drawing of an engine designed to fit into a bicycle at only 21 years of age. Only two years later and through a collaboration with Arthur Da- vidson, the first production of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was made available to the pub- lic, dawning the start of their legacy. In the mid 1910's the very first Harley-Davidson factory was constructed, employing six full-time employees to be- gin production on early pro- totype versions of the iconic motorbikes and machines we know and love today. A rise in popularity at the time meant everyone was keen to get their hands on one of their bikes, including of course the Ameri- can police force, who convert- ed their highway patrol fleet to Harley-Davidsons and setting up an enduring relationship which would last through the years. It was also around this time that the company made a number of technological leaps forward, releasing the first of their classic V-Twin engines in 1909 as well as designing one of the first versions of the timeless 'Bar and Shield' logo still used to this day. As a proud and enthusiastic American company, Harley- Davidson were quick to answer the calls of the country when needed most. During both World Wars, Harley-Davidson increased their production and aimed to provide the US Mili- tary with a substantial number of motorcycles. This relentless effort resulted in the once un- known Milwaukee Company receiving the first of their 4 prestigious Army-Navy 'E', so- lidifying a now outstanding re- lationship with the American people. In the years that followed Harley-Davidson concentrated on growing the range and im- proving the make of their mo- torcycles, thus becoming the largest manufacturers of bikes in the world. It was around this time, 46 years after the company's founding that the famous biker culture of leather jacket Har- ley riders began to emerge, as the company's bikes were frequently used in Hollywood block buster movies, often be- ing the main ride of both rebel- lious villains and iconic heroes. Nowadays Harley-David- son is the most recognisable brand with two wheels on the road, boasting a dedi- cated community known as the Harley-Davidson Owners Group (H.O.G.) and count- less die-hard fans world-wide. With riders originating from the rocky mountains of North America to the traditional temples in Southern Japan, Harley-Davidson has been able to connect all corners of the world with the feeling of love and freedom for the open-road that only Harley-Davidson bikes can guarantee. For more information about Harley-Davidson contact us on (+356) 2339 2328/9 or on info@FapiMotors.com. Harley-Davidson motorcy- cles, parts and merchandise are available from Fapi Motors Ltd, which embraces the same core values of hard work and innovation as its parent com- pany, Famalco Group. Fapi Motors is a Mobility Business Unit within Famalco | Building Businesses. Harley Davidson: the American legend lives on... Nowadays Harley-Davidson is the most recognisable brand with two wheels on the road