Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/236916
37 Events maltatoday, Sunday, 5 January 2014 Lucky Banif client gets to see Man Utd team train Banif client and Man Utd fan David Camilleri has won the chance to watch the team train in a moneycan't-buy experience, as part of the launch of the Manchester United Credit Card in Malta by Banif Bank. The lucky winner will join the privileged few at the Aon Training Complex to watch a training session featuring some of the best players in the world as David Moyes puts the squad through skill drills. He will also get the opportunity to meet the players and take a picture with the first team squad. The prize also includes two hospitality tickets for him and a guest, for the Barclays Premier League match Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur on 1 January. The prize was part of a competition organised by Banif Bank, to coincide with the launch of the Manchester United Credit Card on the local market – a first of its kind. The prize was only possible through the Bank's agreement with Manchester United Football Club – an agreement that enables the Bank to offer its customers a number of incentives and initiatives related to the Club and team they are so passionate about. A surprised and excited David Camilleri said, "This is such an unexpected Christmas and New Year gift! I can't believe I will be watching the Reds up close during their training at the Aon Training Complex and see them play at Old Trafford. It's such a hard to come by opportunity! My guest will be my dad, who is just as excited as I am!" Chief Operating Officer of Banif, Nuno Martins, said that, as forecasted, the Manchester United Credit Card was doing extremely well. "We have surprised the market with an innovative product that carries one of the strongest brands in the world, and as expected, it has attracted hundreds of Maltese fans who are proud to brandish their allegiance to Man Utd at cash points, and at every opportunity they have!" The Manchester United Credit Card comes with a number of privileges related to the Club such as discounts on the official club membership, discounts from the Megastore and The Red Café, Old Trafford museum and stadium tour discounts, exclusive memorabilia, and other benefits such as free travel insurance and free purchase protection insurance. More information about the Manchester United Credit Card from Banif Bank can be obtained by calling Customer Care on 22 601000 or by sending an email to customercare@ banif.com.mt. Alternatively one can visit any of the ten Banif Bank branches around Malta and Gozo. One may also wish to follow Manchester United Red Arena – Malta, on Facebook Taipei gets set to welcome first Emirates passengers Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, has over 1,600 channels showing the latest blockbusters With only seven weeks to go until Taipei joins Emirates' global passenger network, the airline celebrated the countdown to launch by showcasing its famed hospitality and on board products at a VIP reception in Taiwan's capital city. Emirates will begin a daily, nonstop service between Taipei and Dubai from 10th February 2014, establishing the first non-stop connection between Taipei and the Middle East. One of the world's most dynamic airlines, Emirates has been expanding its global route network to provide customers with even more travel options. "The partnership between Emirates and Taipei goes back to 2003 when our cargo arm, Emirates Skycargo, launched a dedicated freighter service between the two cities. Given Taipei's status as an international trading hub and the demand that we have been getting, it is a natural progression for the airline to launch passenger services here," said Edwin Lau, Emirates' Vice President, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Emirates will fly a Boeing 777-300ER on the Taipei route, equipped with eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class, and generous space for 304 passengers in Economy Class. Passengers can also look forward to gourmet cuisine in all classes, served by Emirates' multinational cabin crew. The aircraft also features ice, Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment system which has over 1,600 channels showing the latest blockbusters, subtitled Holly- wood films, music, TV and games. Emirates now operates services to 138 destinations in 78 countries from Dubai. Earlier this year Emirates launched services to Warsaw and Algiers, Haneda, Japan, Clark in the Philippines, the transatlantic Milan-New York route, Conakry, Sialkot in Pakistan and Kabul in Afghanistan. Emirates will begin 2014 with the launch of services to Kiev, followed by Taipei and Boston on 10 March. Emirates operates daily scheduled flights from Malta to Dubai, of which four weekly flights fly via Larnaka, Cyprus, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. While on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, Emirates operates direct flights from Dubai to Malta and return flights fly via Tripoli. BOV at the heart of our Community 365 days a year The BOV calendar has always been a showcase of national treasures, be they architectural gems or works of art tucked away in one of the churches found across our archipelago. Three years ago, the BOV calendar took an interesting twist, as it started taking readers down memory lane. The 2011 calendar opened a window on quaint typical outlets and trades that were much more common a few decades ago. It was followed by renowned veteran musicians depicted at the Splendid Bar in Strait Street Valletta which offered a very wellsuited background . Last year, many nostalgic notes were touched as the calendar focused on children's street games, some of which are close to being forgotten in 2013. The 2014 calendar focuses on hawkers, their trade and the modes of transportation that has adapted over the ages. Although living in an age where shopping is done over the internet or in large supermarkets and shopping malls, a few hawkers are still steeped in tradition and have been resolute in their old ways. The team behind the 2014 calendar scoured the Maltese villages and managed to find the 'bigilla' seller still using a donkey drawn carriage, 'TalKappar' and 'Tal-Fjuri' selling pickled capers and flowers from a disused children's pram, and the sea salt harvester selling hand harvested sea-salt from a cart drawn by an agricultural tractor among others. Sadly disappearing from our streets and our memories, these 'heroes' of our heritage have withstood the test of time and open a window on our rich past. There is more to these trades than nostalgia for a simpler life, however. In their simplicity, they speak of values and modus operandi that are still very much relevant in today's world. They also speak volumes about Bank of Valletta and its role in the Maltese community and economy. The Bank has always had a pivotal role to play in supporting both sides of the transaction, the seller and the buyer. It owes its origins to the merchants who back then needed to exchange goods. So much has changed since those days as the world has become more dynamic and the market more challenging. Bank of Valletta continued to evolve in response and where possible in anticipation of its community's needs. Yesterday's Bank has grown into a full-fledged financial services provider. Solutions have changed dramatically, but one thing remained the same – the Bank's commitment to provide its customers, be they personal or business, with financial solutions tailored to suite their unique needs. This vision is what our predecessors sought hard to achieve, what drives us today and what we aim to leave as part of our legacy tomorrow. The thirteen photographs in this calendar owe their uniqueness to award winning photographer Joe P Smith. JP Advertising worked closely with the Bank of Valletta team in defining the concept, designing and producing the calendar. Accompanying this Calendar, is a 'Making Of' clip which is definitely worth watching. You may access it from the Bank's YouTube channel or by following this link: http://youtu.be/qsmJ1GoJweA.