Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1384247
10.6.2021 6 NEWS HSBC Malta has announced a strategic initiative to further improve its operational structure, benefitting from the HSBC Group's operating models, in order to drive efficien- cies and enhance customer experience. e bank aims to create a leaner working model that is ex- ternally-focused and performance-led, building and invest- ing in a bank that is fit for the future and which is centred around customers. is strategic initiative relates primarily to the transforma- tion and automation of certain areas within the bank, and also to a planned transfer of a number of employees and activities to a local service provider. To achieve this, the bank is proposing the launch of two Voluntary Redundancy Schemes that will impact a limited number of areas in the bank, subject to MUBE agreement. e restructuring costs to deliver these changes will be booked in the 2021 financial results, but as the schemes are voluntary, the amount will depend on the number of appli- cations. Simon Vaughan Johnson, CEO HSBC Malta, said: "Today's announcement aligns with our Safe Growth strategy. One of the key principles of our strategy is to make it simpler for our customers to do business with HSBC Malta and easi- er for our colleagues to serve our customers. By streamlin- ing our working model, we will create capacity for future growth and investment." HSBC Malta announces strategic initiative to increase efficiency and enhance customer experience Melita Business and Smart Technologies team up to offer local Smart Cloud services MELITA Business and Smart Technologies have teamed up to offer flexible and reliable Cloud hosting and disaster recovery services under the Smart Cloud brand name. ese services leverage the expertise of Smart Technol- ogies in cloud infrastructure and managed services, and Melita Business' reliabili- ty, connectivity and security at the state-of-the-art Mel- ita Business Data Centre in Madliena. Smart Cloud's services in- clude cloud hosting and back up, including disaster recov- ery. ese services are provid- ed on a cloud 'closer to home' and offer clear financial and logistical benefits, as clients do not need to invest in hard- ware. A further benefit of the ser- vices being provided locally is that customers will benefit from direct access to personal support and the ability to view the hardware in use. rough its virtual Linux and Windows servers, Smart Cloud also offers businesses the flexibility of increasing space, computing power and memory as needed. Harald Roesch, Chief Execu- tive Officer at Melita Limited, said, "Melita Business, through its purpose-built data centre, already provides world-class hosting and connectivity ser- vices to hundreds of local and international business cus- tomers. is latest partner- ship with Smart Technologies further enhances the position of Melita Business as the com- munications and connectivity services partner of choice for any business in Malta." Joe Aquilina, Chief Executive Officer at Smart Technolo- gies, said, "rough this new collaboration, Smart Cloud will be able to deliver an even more holistic service, catering for the hosting and data needs of different types of businesses in any sector." More information on Smart Cloud is available at www. smartcloud.mt UK High Commissioner to Malta Cathy Ward yesterday warned UK Nationals that if they do not apply for residen- cy in the next two weeks, they risk losing the right to live in Malta. e deadline for submitting an application for a new With- drawal Agreement residency card in Malta is 30 June 2021. More than 9,000 applications have been made since the Mal- tese launched the process in February 2020, but many still need to apply. e High Commissioner is urging all UK Nationals who were resident in Malta before 1 January 2021 to apply now. at includes people who al- ready hold a residency docu- ment, are in the process of ap- plying for Maltese nationality, or are married to Maltese or other EU nationals. British High Commissioner to Malta Cathy Ward said: "With just two weeks re- maining to apply for residency in Malta, my message to UK Nationals here is clear: if you have not done so already, you must apply for residency to- day. Submitting your applica- tion before 30 June is vital to protect your right to live here, and your future in Malta." "Please do not delay if you are missing certain documents – you can explain your situ- ation within the application form and provide further doc- umentation if required. e important thing is to get your application in and support is available if you need it." "I also urge Maltese people to ask their British friends, neigh- bours, spouses or family if they have applied for the new With- drawal Agreement residency card. Every UK National who arrived in Malta before 1 Jan- uary this year needs to apply, so if you know someone who hasn't, please encourage them to start the process." UK citizens who may need more support to apply can access help through the or- ganisation funded by the UK Nationals Support Fund: e International Organisation for Migration. IOM can answer questions about the process and help guide people as they apply. Each person must attend an in-person appointment for their own card. Children younger than 12 do not need to provide fingerprints. All UK Nationals and close fam- ily members need to obtain the new residency card which will refer to 'Artikolu 50 TUE' and 'Artikolu 18(1)' of the Withdrawal Agreement. If you cannot attend an in-person ap- pointment you need to contact Identity Malta. Harald Roesch, (left) CEO at Melita Limited and Joe Aquilina, CEO at Smart Technologies UK High Commissioner urges Brits in Malta to apply for residency by 30 June