Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1337056
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 FEBRUARY 2021 14 COMMERCIAL THE Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) has announced the launch of Ho- rizon Europe, the largest EU Research and Innovation (R&I) programme, succeeding Hori- zon 2020 on the 17th of Febru- ary 2021. Horizon Europe is the most ambitious R&I programme with a budget of 95.5 billion Euro. The programme will be fo- cused on three main pillars: Excellent Science, Global chal- lenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, and Innova- tive Europe; and will promote excellence, provide valuable support to top researchers, and help innovators drive the systematic changes needed to ensure a green, healthy, and re- silient Europe. Hon. Owen Bonnici, Minister for Research, Innovation and Co-ordination of Post Cov- id-19 Strategy and Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, the Execu- tive Chairman for MCST will give a welcome address to open the event. The event will be al- so addressed by the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel. Mr Jean-Eric Paquet, Director General for R&I at the Euro- pean Commission will provide an overview of the Horizon Europe programme while the new instruments such as the Missions, Partnerships and the European Innovation Council will also be presented by Com- mission officials. The winners of the Horizon 2020 Malta Awards will be an- nounced during the event. The aim of the Awards is to recog- nise the efforts of the Maltese beneficiaries that have success- fully participated in research and innovation projects within the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme. Seven award cat- egories will be presented, in- cluding Best Impact for Health; Security or Smart Mobility Award; The Blue Award; The Green Award; Best Innovative SME Award; Best Promotion of STEM Award; Best Tech- nological Innovation Award and Most Active Researcher Award. MCST is the official National Contact Point Organisation for the EU Framework Programme. National Contact Points strive to assist and handhold Maltese researchers and entities in par- ticipating in Horizon Europe. An overview of these services will also be presented during this event by National Coordi- nator, Ms Anthea Fabri. The online launch event is free of charge and it will take place on 17th February be- tween 1.30 pm and 16.00 pm. Find out more and register by not later than noon on 16th February from here: https:// mcst.gov.mt/event/46321/ THE NEXT EU RESEARCH & INNOVATION INVESTMENT PROGRAMME 2021 - 2027 Horizon Europe Malta launch event BOV Legal Office back in service BANK of Valletta would like to advise its customers that its Legal Office situated in Misraħ San Ġorg Valletta is now back in service. The Legal Office was temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The Bank engaged an infection prevention control specialist to disinfect the office and it has now been deemed safe to reopen for business. The Bank thanks its custom- ers for their support and un- derstanding and assures them of its commitment towards the safety and well-being of both customers and employees. Bank of Valletta reminds cus- tomers visiting Bank's prem- ises to follow the necessary precautions such as safe social distancing, proper wearing of masks and sanitising. OVER 300 Tied Insurance In- termediaries participated in a webinar on the regulatory re- quirements that they are sub- ject to. The webinar is part of the MFSA's ongoing stakeholder outreach, which has gone una- bated, despite the ongoing pan- demic. Upon introducing the we- binar, Emily Benson, Head of Conduct Supervision at the MFSA stated that "TIIs are considered to be a significant distribution channel in Mal- ta and accordingly, it is very important that they act in line with their regulatory require- ments to ensure the best inter- est of their customers. They are ultimately respon- sible for the services that they provide, and in particular for ensuring that their services comply with the rules and that customers are sold the right products." The webinar addressed vari- ous subjects including the sales process, the relevant require- ments relating to pre-contrac- tual disclosure, product dis- tribution arrangements, and record-keeping, and provided an overview of the salient fea- tures of a Key Information Document that should be pro- vided to policyholders. The webinar also focused on the requirements relating to the holding of clients' money in a fiduciary capacity and on the importance of AML/CFT over- sight. Furthermore, the risk- based approach, including the business risk assessment and customer risk assessment, were also discussed. The webinar was addressed by Sarah Pulis -Deputy Head, and Analysts Jacqueline Fenech, Emanuele Girgenti and Claris- sa Said from Conduct Super- vision; Jessica Stivala - Senior Manager, and Stefano Lazze' - Senior Analyst, Insurance and Pensions Supervision; Er- ic Micallef - Analyst, Financial Crime Compliance, as well as Yanika Pisani - Senior Officer, Legal Affairs, Financial Intelli- gence Analysis Unit. Tied Insurance Intermediar- ies distribute insurance prod- ucts exclusively on behalf of their principal; however, they are still licensed in terms of the Insurance Distribution Act. Hence, they are required to personally abide by regula- tory requirements relating to conduct of business, require- ment relating to the protection of customers assets, and Anti Money Laundering. MFSA organises webinar on regulatory requirements for tied insurance intermediaries