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4 NEWS 23.9.2021 VBL PLC is currently listing on the Malta Stock Exchange with its IPO closing on the 24th of September 2021. Since its inception, VBL has invested exclusively in Valletta and refused to step out of the walled City, even when offered amazing real estate investment opportunities. Dr. Andrei Imbroll, co-founder of VBL argues that this strategy has enabled the Group to play a significant role in changing the City's real es- tate landscape. 'Valletta has it all' opens Dr. Imbroll, 'it had all the attributes to become a micro market within Malta's real estate landscape, and it has indeed become such. Valletta is the touristic, administrative and cultural center of the island, ensuring year- round cultural tourism, steady demand for office space and space for events and more. It is Malta's most recognizable brand name in- ternationally and the first port of call for any tourist visiting the island. More importantly from a real estate invest- ment point of view, Valletta has a limited amount of square meters. 'at's it' exclaims Dr. Imbroll, 'if you have a square meter in a million today, it will be the same square meter in a hundred years' time'. With the advent of high rise, that can't be said for any other lo- cation on the island. 'Our job is simply to put that square meter to good use, diversifying our portfolio and helping in keeping Valletta look- ing good'. A recent report by a leading international Audit firm, placed Valletta amongst the most valuable square meters on the island, togeth- er with Ta Xbiex. 'Of course' says Dr. Imbroll. 'It was only logical it would happen. e road ahead is to now bridge the gap between Val- letta and its Euro Mediterranean peers. e value of Valletta real estate should not be com- pared to anywhere else on the island, for 2 main reasons; first of all the fact that supply is so limited, but more importantly, is the long- term resilience of the product. ere will not be another Valletta in Malta but I can assure you that there will be higher towers and bigger shopping malls than there are today.' Valletta is Malta's showcase to the world. What would Malta be without Valletta ? is will ensure that money from private enterprise, Government entities and EU funds will keep being directed towards Valletta, all within 0.6 of a square km. at's what defines Valletta as a real estate micro-market. Valletta - a real estate micro market THE Malta Chamber of Commerce, En- terprise and Industry has signed a Bronze Partnership agreement with Seed, aimed to enhance e Chamber's policy influ- ence with regards to sustainable tourism. To this end, Seed will be paired with the 'Tourism Operators Business Sec- tion' within e Malta Chamber's Policy framework. "As sustainability is one of the four main pillars of e Malta Chamber's Economic Vision, e Malta Chamber is partnering with business champions that share the same values. rough this col- laboration, e Malta Chamber will be better equipped to raise awareness and develop a high-level implementation plan by focusing on sustainable tourism practices with the aim of offering a qual- ity experience to tourists visiting our is- lands," said Marisa Xuereb, President of e Malta Chamber. rough this agreement, Seed will be supporting the 'Tourism Operators Busi- ness Committee' in the drawing up of a: • Tourism Transformation Map to better understand the challenges and opportunities of the tourism sector by analysing both the local and internation- al market; • Transformation Index with the aim of compiling an annual index which can not only measure sectorial readiness, but also serve as a benchmark tool, together with an annual report to analyse this in- dex in more detail. "It is a great privilege for Seed to be associated with and sponsor e Malta Chamber. As a research-driven interna- tional advisory firm, Seed is very aligned to e Chamber's mission, values and drive to be a transforming force. To this end, we will be supporting the Tourism Business Sub-Committee in its efforts to transform such an important pillar to Malta's economy, and which suffered the brunt of the global pandemic. With the recovery in sight, together with e Chamber, Seed will be actively support- ing the development of a vision for a re- vitalized and sustainable tourism sector," said JP Fabri, Director at Seed Business Advisory Ltd. e agreement was signed by President Marisa Xuereb and Deputy President, Chris Vassallo Cesareo on behalf of the Malta Chamber and JP Fabri for Seed. Alan Arrigo, e Tourism Operators Business Section Chair, was also present during the signing. The Malta Chamber and Seed sign Bronze partnership agreement

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