Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1475004
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 LEASING OF OFFICE PREMISES FOR ARMS LTD Invitation to tender for the leasing of premises to house administrative offices of Automated Revenue Management Services (ARMS) Ltd. INVITATION TO TENDER CT4012/2021 Interested parties are cordially invited to submit an offer through https://www.etenders.gov.mt/ portal until 15th September 2022 09:30 am CET Superyachts banned from buying 'dyed' diesel from Malta CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The move comes in the wake of pres- sure from inside the finance ministry, whose experts deduced that subsidies intended at aiding the Maltese popula- tion stave off higher gas and fuel prices, were being abused by the pleasure-craft industry. One unofficial estimate is that "a couple of millions of euros" in subsi- dies were lost in diesel snapped up by opportunistic yachts that moored in Malta over the past months. Malta's prices are cheaper than prices in neighbouring Italy and Cyprus. This has created a speculative opportunity for owners of superyachts who might be inclined to take advantage of the Maltese price stability policy. The legal notice short-circuiting the sale of this diesel to boats over 24m in length also comes at a time when ministries have been told to find €200 million in savings across the board, to make up for government subsidies on gas and fuel. The Quality of Fuels (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on Friday and will ensure that superyachts do not take advantage of Malta's price stability policy on fuel prices. The new rules exclude registered fishing vessels. Anyone caught in breach of the reg- ulation shall be liable to a fine of up to €69,800. Any illegal distribution of such diesel to these superyachts can also trigger a direct suspension of the fuel distributor's licence. Government sources told MaltaToday the regulation will also protect con- sumers and industries from the sharp increase in fuels. "There has been concern that specu- lation may arise amongst superyacht owners, coming to Malta specifically for refuelling. The government's inten- tion to support consumers when pur- chasing essential products such as fuel and wheat, among others, is to protect its citizens from high rates of energy cost inflation. The intention is to sup- port those who need it the most," gov- ernment sources told MaltaToday. Sources insisted that the government was adamant to protect people and businesses from the negative impact of the unprecedented hikes in energy pric- es. "However, we all need to be respon- sible about our energy consumption as this policy is intended to protect the essential needs of our people."