Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1463927
4 NEWS 7.4.2022 CUSTOMERS are increasingly em- bracing the benefits of digital banking, choosing digital solutions that provide more security and flexibility in their day-to-day banking experiences over traditional banking methods. In support of this growing trend, Bank of Valletta has just launched a Bill Pay- ment Promotion, whereby customers who pay their bills through the 'Pay A Bill' function on BOV Internet Banking or BOV Mobile Banking throughout April and May, have the chance of win- ning a cashback of up to €300 on their bill payment. Customers can participate in this promotion by registering their interest through the Bank's website on https://www.bov.com/content/win-up- to-300-back-on-your-next-bill?fbclid=I- wAR3s0s0UYMLIaZA9uGG4kHKId- sOm-rfzbyhGd9r5AeEvq6Io5n5ros2L- 3do or through the Bank's social media channels and effecting one or more bill payments. Ten (10) lucky winners will benefit from this promotion (terms and conditions apply). rough BOV's digital offering, cus- tomers can manage their finances in an easy, convenient and secure way, wher- ever they are. "Our digital solutions reduce the inconvenience of paying by cheque and at the same time provide customers with easy access and flexi- bility", said Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Re- tail Banking Officer at Bank of Valletta. "e BOV Internet and Mobile Banking products are tailored in a way that ena- ble customers to manage their finances without having to visit branches or issue cheque payments, while keeping track of their finances and spending patterns." ree key services of the Bank's dig- ital offering are the payment of bills, payment through standing orders and mobile top-ups. e 'Pay a Bill' function on BOV Internet and Mobile Banking allow customers to settle their bills with entities such as insurance companies, water and electricity firms, schools and telecommunication companies, with- out incurring any additional costs. With the 'Standing Order' feature on BOV Internet Banking, customers need not worry about missing any payments as this happens automatically once the standing orders have been set. e 'Mo- bile Top-Up' function on BOV Mobile is becoming increasingly popular. An increasing number of BOV customers have ditched the old way of topping-up mobiles since they have the option to top up their mobile by any amount up to €50 without having to download any other apps. "Migration of customer traffic to electronic channels is a key element of BOV's long term strategy. We believe that the future of banking is based on digitalised solutions that enable cus- tomers to manage their finances in has- sle-free, flexible and convenient ways," concluded Kenneth Farrugia. New cashback promotion on BOV bill payments HILI Properties plc, the strategic real estate investment subsidiary of Hili Ventures, has completed the share purchase of the holding company of a prominent shopping centre in Riga. e total investment in this newest addition to Hili Properties' portfolio – its sev- enth shopping complex in the Latvian capital – is €20 million. e 7,863-square metre complex on Stirnu Street sits on a 21,580 square me- tre plot in one of the city's most densely populated residential areas and enjoys a consistently high footfall from a strong catchment population. e property has been in commercial operation for 15 years and features Swedish-owned supermarket giant Rimi as its anchor tenant. Other major tenants include Dino Zoo, a market-leading pet supplies re- tailer; Pepco, a continental discount chain popular for childrenswear and household goods; and cosmetics chain Drogas which enjoys a presence on high streets across the Baltic states. e shopping centre also boasts more than 250 parking spaces for customers. George Kakouras, Managing Director of Hili Properties said: "We are thrilled with this latest acquisition in Riga, par- ticularly as it meets our investment strategy criteria: long-term leases, a re- nowned anchor tenant and stable cash flow generation from the first day of entry into our portfolio. It also fits well within our strategy to seek low risk, long-term investments. e property is a landmark in the city, and it is with great pride that we take over its man- agement. We are looking forward to working with the tenants and building a relationship with every one of them, the visitors to the shopping centre, and the local community. ere is so much potential to fulfil." With this latest acquisition, Hili Prop- erties' portfolio value grows to €155 mil- lion, and its leasable area extends to just under 100,000 square metres. e port- folio now comprises seven grocery-an- chored shopping centres across Riga; a private hospital in Bucharest, Roma- nia; 12 properties housing restaurants in key commercial districts in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Romania; three dedicated business blocks and of- fice space in Sliema, Marsa and Floriana in Malta, and a major industrial plant in Lithuania. Its tenants include Premier Restaurants, Rimi, Norwegian newsa- gent/convenience chain Narvesen, and industrial materials manufacturer Re- hau Group. ON Wednesday, A2W Pharma Ltd, a pharmaceutical company based in Malta, celebrated the opening of its new facility during a launch event held on its premises. e event was addressed by Peter Paul Farrugia - A2W Pharma Di- rector, Antonio Sommei - Amino Chemicals CEO, and Kurt Farrugia - Malta Enterprise CEO, along with representatives from Malta Medi- cines Authority, and dignitaries from the Embassy of the People's republic of China in Malta. A2W provides full end-to-end pro- cessing from raw material to bottling with chemical and stability testing capabilities. e company has be- gun validating materials and meth- ods, and is expecting to receive its EU GMP certification this summer. Its long-term vision centres around the development of botanical active substances for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical product development. e mother company, ABA Chem- icals Corp (shares listed on the Shenzen Stock Exchange as 300261- CN:Shenzhen ), has invested more than €6 million, through its API facil- ity, Amino Chemicals Ltd, to address an immediate demand for EU-GMP certified standardised extracts. Amino, also based in Malta, has 30+ years of experience developing pharmaceutical APIs and lends its commercial and regulatory expertise. "e discoveries related to the ac- tive substances found in the canna- bis sativa plant, and their therapeutic effects, represent a shift in the way patients suffering from a wide range of ailments can be treated," Tony Cai, Chairperson at ABA Chemicals, said. "With the opening of A2W, our pri- mary vision is to increase access to these substances, whilst utilising 30 years of experience in pharmaceuti- cal development to ensure adherence to the strictest of regulatory require- ments." A2W's long-term strategy centres around developing pharmaceutical products for therapeutic areas where there is a critical need to advance pa- tient care. e medical cannabis industry, globally valued at $22 billion, is ex- pected to continue its tremendous growth as more countries legalize prescription use to treat conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, Chron's disease and other neurological and immunological conditions. Currently, over 30 countries have legalised medical use, and many have patient assistance programs in place which support costs through reim- bursement schemes. Industry growth can also be attrib- uted to physician education and pa- tient awareness regarding the bene- fits of medical cannabis. Hili Properties plc completes €20m acquisition of Riga shopping centre A2W Pharma Ltd opens new pharmaceutical facility in Malta