Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1480753
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 OCTOBER 2022 14 COMMERCIAL Two weeks until EY-Parthenon's Malta Future Realised Conference EY-PARTHENON'S Malta Fu- ture Realised Conference (pre- viously known as the Malta At- tractiveness Event) returns on the 18th October, bringing together 1,000 CEOs, CFOs, entrepre- neurs and investors together to discuss foreign direct investment (FDI), business and the Maltese economy. Top global speakers will ana- lyse Europe's economic outlook, history and the current geopo- litical situation emanating from the Ukraine war. This will set the scene for discussions on how Mal- ta can weather the current inter- national storm, with a focus on investment and resilience. The speaker line-up includes former European leaders: Jan Pe- ter Balkenende, the three-time former prime minister of the Netherlands; Jan Krzysztof Bie- lecki, the former prime minister of Poland; and Danilo Turk, the former president of Slovenia and UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, who is the current president of Club de Madrid (the largest forum of former demo- cratic presidents and prime min- isters). European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will deliver an address on the future of Europe. Renowned author, broadcaster, commentator, and traveller Nor- man Davies will deliver a keynote speech on the history of Europe and provide key insights on the current geopolitical challenges and share his thoughts on the out- look and role for Malta through the lenses of the past. This year's event will be split into three main areas. The event kicks off with a focus on the results of the 18th Malta Attractiveness Survey, an annual study conducted among current FDI companies in Malta, which will outline investors' sentiments on Malta's attractiveness for for- eign investment and the impact of the current geopolitical tensions, the recovery from COVID-19 and the FATF grey listing. The results, announced by Ron- ald Attard EY Malta Country Managing Partner and by Simon Barberi, EY director and Attrac- tiveness Programme lead, will provide a snapshot on Malta's in- vestment strengths and areas for improvement. The second part continues with an analysis of geopolitics and con- flict in Europe. A deep dive on the local and international econom- ic outlook will follow, exploring potential economic scenarios, in- flation and interest rate rises, the impact this has on businesses and the strategies to pursue in times of uncertainty and volatility. Finally, discussions will move to the key national drivers for in- vestment looking ahead. Global tax policy reform and the poten- tial implications for Malta will be discussed, alongside focus areas for Malta in future: digital and in- novation, infrastructure, renewa- bles and the new European energy agenda, sustainability, and skills and talent. In addition, several sectoral workshops led by experts will provide specific insight into: In- frastructure investment and fi- nancing; Unlocking long-term value from ESG; Skills & talent strategies in an era of skills short- ages; Manufacturing business ex- cellence; Banking and financial services - moving beyond compli- ance; and Industry transformation using data and AI. The conference begins on the 17th October with pre-regis- tration and evening networking drinks on the MCC rooftop. The main event will be held for a full- day on the 18th October, culmi- nating in drinks on the terrace. The event is being held in collab- oration with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and In- dustry. Sponsored by GO, HSBC, BOV, Mapfre MSV Life, MeDirect, Stu- dioseven, BNF Bank, M. Demajo Wines and Spirts, Malta Enter- prise, Malta Communications Authority, ERA, and FinanceMal- ta. For more information and to register visit https://www.ey.com/ en_mt/events/malta-future-real- ised-2022 Farsons registers improvement with caution on outlook THE Board of Directors of the Farsons Group has announced its interim unaudited results for the six months ended 31st July 2022. The Group's performance during the first half of the current financial year reflects the contin- ued economic recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as the first full 6-month pe- riod of trading free of any significant COVID related restrictions. On premise trade recov- ered strongly as consumers responded enthu- siastically to the reopening of bars, clubs, and catering establishments. Mass social events and Festa related celebrations also returned after a two-year absence, and hotel business saw a marked improvement as tourist arriv- als rebounded strongly. However, towards the end of the 6-month period, there were signs of consumer restraint returning as mounting inflationary pressures impacted disposable incomes. The Group registered a turnover of €57.3 mil- lion during the first six months of the current financial year, a 37.7% improvement over the same period of last year, during which turno- ver totalled €41.6 million as well as a growth of 7.6% over the six-monthly (pre-pandemic) pe- riod to July 2019. Increased turnover has been registered across all business segments. Profit before taxation for the period amounted to €7.8 million compared with €5.2 million for the equivalent period last year – an increase over the July 2019 result of 12.4%. The improved profitability results from overall comparative cost containment along with some improvement in operating mar- gins, even if these remain under growing pres- sure. Earnings per share attributable to sharehold- ers improved by 43.5% from €0.136c in the first half of financial year 2022 to €0.195c in the comparative period of financial year 2023, based on the 36 million shares in issue. The return to a somewhat 'normal' trading environment has had to be carefully man- aged within the Farsons Group so as to en- sure availability of the Group's product range and service levels to all its clients, particularly given the increasing challenges across labour availability and the supply chain. The Group has also continued its investment programme. Apart from the completion of works on The Brewhouse project which is now welcoming its first clients and tenants over a phased opening programme; ongoing invest- ments in line with the Group's programme to continuously seek to secure further oper- ational efficiencies as well as increase innova- tion and digitalisation, are being undertaken. The Group also continues to embrace en- vironmentally friendly initiatives and invest- ments in line with the strategic objective of becoming more environmentally focused. ON Sunday 11th September, a Static car and Biker's Show was organized at Pembroke Park and Ride, by Lions Club Mdina - Malta Host, in aid of ALS Djar Bjorn. The car show featured several car and motorcycle clubs from all over Malta. These included the Honda Team Club, Malta Classic Sport Car Club, Malta Mini Owners Club, Ford Owners Club, and the Skull Bikers. Bjorn Formosa was unable to at- tend due to ill health and was rep- resented by Glenda Bartolo who thanked all those who helped to make this event a success. A static car and biker's show was organised by Lions Club Mdina