Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/258814
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2014 18 Events HSBC Malta upgrades its branch in Victoria, Gozo THE HSBC branch in Victoria Gozo has been reopened following a major refurbishment and is the latest of a series of investments the bank is making in its operations in Malta. The Victoria branch now offers an enhanced layout featur- ing 14 new office spaces and three counsellor positions for improved privacy, together with the very latest in Express Banking technology and an upgraded IT system. "This newly refurbished branch is now even better equipped to serve our clients in Gozo, including the thousands of Maltese and tourists that visit this island throughout the year," said HSBC Malta Head of Re- tail and Wealth Management Paul Steel. "HSBC is investing heavily to bring world class technology and im- proved functionality and perform- ance for the benefit of customers and staff alike. This is the twelfth HSBC Malta branch to be upgraded in line with the bank's €10 million branch refurbishment programme, over the last 2 years. A further €3 million investment has gone to- wards upgrading all of HSBC Mal- ta's ATMs to next-generation mod- els which, together with the branch upgrades, are bringing our branches in line with the HSBC Group's high- est standards," he said. Present during the Gozo branch reopening were also HSBC Malta's CEO, Mark Watkinson, the Minis- ter for Gozo, Anton Refalo, Victoria Mayor Samuel Azzopardi, HSBC Malta's Northern Area Director Anthony Buttigieg and the Branch Manager Patrick Fenech. In his address, the Minister for Gozo Hon. Anton Refalo stated that the statement of the Gozo Ministry is to significantly ameliorate the lives of the Gozitan people. Two of the most important means to attain this goal are the attraction of foreign investment to Gozo and the crea- tion of employment for Gozitans in Gozo. In this view, Hon. Anton Re- falo expressed his gratitude towards the investment of HSBC in Gozo and stated that he considers HSBC not merely as a commercial bank but as a stakeholder with whom to collaborate in order to achieve its aims. The Minister for Gozo showed his determination to work hand in hand with the financial sector to en- courage further investment in Gozo which still has a lot of untapped resources. "The financial sector, of which HSBC is an important com- ponent, is as strong in Gozo as it is in Malta. Proof of this is this huge financial investment which HSBC has imputed in the expansion and refurbishment of its Branch in Vic- toria", Refalo said. Together with the branch in Vic- toria, HSBC has refurbished its branches in Buġibba, Ħamrun, Sw- ieqi, Paola, Żejtun, Mosta, Żurrieq, San Ġwann, B'Kara, Sliema and Żabbar. The Victoria branch offers contin- uous service from Monday to Thurs- day between 08.30am to 1.30pm. On Friday the Victoria branch is open between 08.30am till 4.30pm and on Saturday the opening hours are between 08.30am to 12.30pm. TODAY, the Insafe and INHOPE networks, represented in Malta through the BeSmartOnline! Con- sortium, are celebrating Safer In- ternet Day (SID). An initiative of the European Commission's Safer Internet Pro- gramme, this day marks an annual opportunity to encourage the pub- lic to make the internet a safer and better place for our children and young people. Since its first edition in 2004, interest in Safer Internet Day has grown tremendously to reach six of the world's continents in more than 100 countries world- wide; including all 28 countries of the European Union. The theme of Safer Internet Day 2014 is 'Let's create a better internet together' and it is hoped that, once again, all stakeholders – be they children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and educators, or industry and politicians – will join together in marking the day and working together to build a better internet for all. On this note, European Commis- sion Vice-President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the Digital Agenda and for launching the strategy to make a better internet for children, recognises that everyone has a role to play "We need to move forward, together: child safety should be about collaboration, not competi- tion. That's the best way to ensure a better internet for kids." She goes on to add: "I hope that, on Safer Internet Day and beyond, we can deliver this better internet for chil- dren: a place with fun, creative and educational online content; a place where they can be happy and where parents can feel comfortable for them to explore." The BeSmartOnline! Consor- tium, which brings together the Malta Communications Author- ity (MCA), Aġenzija Appoġġ, the Office of the Commissioner for Children and other key public and non-governmental organisations is celebrating this year's Safer Inter- net Day by calling on the younger generations to be exemplary digital citizens. The consortium is inviting younger people to be kind and re- spectful to each other, whilst safe- guarding their online reputation and seeking positive opportunities to create, engage and share content and experiences online. To coincide with this day, the Consortium is launching informa- tion sessions for parents and other child carers. These information ses- sions will address the importance of the role such individuals have in making the Internet a better place for children. The sessions will help parents and carers understand the need to maintain an open and hon- est dialogue with children whilst also outlining ways how to deal with any concerns or issues they may encounter. The 90-minute ses- sions will be held at Local Councils around Malta and Gozo and will be free-of-charge. Further information on these information sessions will be distributed through all schools, over the coming days. About BeSmartOnline! The BeSmartOnline! project con- certs the efforts of national stake- holders working towards the safer use of the internet by children and youths. The initiative aims at rais- ing awareness and educating mi- nors, carers and educators on the safe use of the internet; establish- ing, operating and promoting re- porting facilities for internet abuse; and supporting respective victims. The project is managed by a Con- sortium made up of the Malta Com- municatoins Authority, Aġenzija Apoġġ and The Office of the Com- missioner for Children. The project is supported by The Malta Police Force, the Directo- rate for Education Services, The University of Malta, The Independ- ent Schools Association, Aġenzija Żgħażaġħ and the Secretariat for Catholic Education(Church Schools). Website: www.besmartonline.org. mt Helpline: 179 Report Abuse: www.childwebalert. gov.mt HEBE has continued to add the glitz and glamour to Maltese celebrities by adorning one of Malta's leading singer Ira Losco with beautiful jewellery pieces from its range of luxurious brands. Ira, took centre stage, to co- host this year's edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, which is watched by thousands an- nually. For this weekend's song contest, Ira Losco was wearing dazzling pieces by Nanis and APM, as well as stunning jewellery from Pesavento's 'DNA' and 'Polvere Di Sogno' col- lections. She also showcased Tho- mas Sabo's 'Rebel at Heart' collec- tion. The exquisite pieces were under the gaze of all the Maltese families tuning in for the spectacular show as well as the local and foreign press, and was one of the attractions of the event. Ira was the ideal person to be showcasing the coveted jewel- lery pieces. The fresh and youthful musician's trendsetting style perfectly blends with HEBE's vision to offer its customers styl- ish and original pieces from the most coveted brands. HEBE offers high- quality, hand-finished, modern and genuine jewellery products at affordable prices, thereby inspiring peo- ple to express their in- dividuality. The quality fashion jewellery and watch company, houses leading trend-setting brands such as Ice- Watch, Pandora, Tho- mas Sabo, Nanis, Misis, Pesavento, APM and Bohemme, and more. HEBE outlets are located in Val- letta, St. Julians and Paola RE/MAX Malta has participated in this year's ICE Totally Gaming Exhibition held at Excel Exhibition Centre in London be- tween 4 and 6 February. ICE Totally Gaming is the largest exhibi- tion in the world associated with the igam- ing industry. Executives and top managers of small, medium and the large igaming companies from around the world visit ICE every year to view and explore new product innovations as well as companies that serv- ice the igaming industry. RE/MAX Malta, participated in ICE To- tally Gaming with their letting brand, RE/ MAX Lettings. The letting offices at Re/ Max Malta service the igaming industry with long-term rentals, temporary accom- modation, hotel accommodation as well as other tailor made services. RE/MAX Malta has the largest letting team in Malta with over 25 letting associates specialising in both residential and office rentals. The Maltese jurisdiction was represented by several organisations including the Lot- teries and Gaming Authority. RE/MAX Malta was the only real estate company represented within the 5000 square me- tres of exhibition space. Speaking about the event Edward Agius, RE/MAX Letting Manager said that, "This is our fourth year exhibiting at this event. During this event we had the opportunity to meet several new customers as well as touch base with our regular clientele. Our participation at ICE Totally Gaming was extremely fruitful due to the fact that we received excellent exposure and carried out several meetings with new igaming companies considering Malta as a base. As part of an incentive program for their associates, the company's top three let- ting associates of 2013, Michaela Tabone, Gordi Felice, and Trevor Gauci Maestre were given the opportunity to travel to the exhibition with Edward Agius and the RE/MAX Directors Kevin and Jeffrey Buttigieg. Gordi Felice commented "It was a great experience to travel and meet with so many potential customers as well as integrate with the management in Lon- don. RE/MAX Lettings provides excellent opportunities to their associates and I am proud to be part of such a team". Creating a safer internet Glitzy HEBE jewellery for Ira Losco RE/MAX Malta participates in ICE Totally Gaming Exhibition in London Gozo Minister Anton Refalo officially reopening the bank's branch in Victoria Gozo together with HSBC Malta's CEO Mark Watkinson and Branch Manager Patrick Fenech