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Events 42 maltatoday, Sunday, 23 February 2014 HSBC Malta Foundation renews support for Patrimonju Malti Farsons announces new €27 million investment in a beer packaging facility Bank of Valletta supports Ghajnsielem's 'Our Lady of Loreto' restoration Hilton Malta honoured in the 2014 TripAdvisors Travellers' Choice Hotels Awards HSBC Malta Foundation has ex- tended its support agreement for Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, as part of the Bank's corporate sustain- ability drive to bring lasting benefits to the Maltese community. "The Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, under Maurice de Giorgio's leadership, plays a vital role in safe- guarding and promoting many di- verse aspects of Malta's rich cultural heritage. With its sterling reputation for quality cultural events, activities and publications, Patrimonju Malti is a strong proponent of promoting Malta's heritage. Its activities are very well patronised and eagerly sought after, often allowing the pub- lic to benefit from aspects of Malta's heritage that would otherwise have remained confined to private col- lections," said HSBC Malta Director Philip Farrugia Randon. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti is a non-profit foundation dedicated to spreading awareness about Malta's heritage, locally and internationally, through museums, exhibitions and publications. Exhibitions organised by Patrimonju have showcased pop- ular and lesser-known aspects of Maltese art, including Maltese wall clocks (l-Arloġġ tal-Lira), silver and antique jewelry in Malta, antique furniture, costumes, and prehis- toric art. Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti publishes a range of prestigious pub- lications, including catalogues to accompany each of its exhibitions. These works contribute towards a highly referenced and ever-growing body of work about Maltese art. More information about HSBC Malta Foundation's Corporate Sus- tainability drive is available on the Bank's website at www.hsbc.com.mt The Chairman of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc Mr Louis A Farrugia today an- nounced that Far- sons will invest €27 million in a Beer Packaging facility. The announcement was made during a press conference held in the Old Boardroom of the Mriehel Brewery in the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr Joseph Muscat, the Parliamentary Sec- retary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes, Dr Michael Far- rugia, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Dr Edward Zammit Lewis. Details of the investment were given by both the Farsons Chairman Louis A Farru- gia, and by CEO, Norman Aquilina. The purpose of this significant investment is twofold: a) To ensure that Farsons beer pack- aging facilities remain competitive in today's market place by servicing the important lo- cal market with packages that are relevant to contemporary consumer preferences. b) To meet the Group's objectives of increasing its exports of beer and non-alco- holic products to nearby markets. In his opening address, Farrugia stated: "Farsons has ambitions to become a niche regional player in the beverage market and aims to treble its exports within the next five years. Exports currently represent 6% by volume of Farsons' total production and we aim to increase the share of our total production to 17% by 2020. During the past 6 years, Farsons has in- vested no less than €50 million in a new PET packaging facility, a Logistics Centre and a new Brewhouse. "We have been totally committed to in- vesting in new facilities to ensure that we re- main competitive and so grow our business- es in our own and other markets. Through these investments Farsons has shown its determination to grow and remain a lead- ing and relevant Maltese business," added Farrugia. On completion of this new investment, Farsons would have invested no less than €80,000,000 in its beverage business alone in the space of 8 years, averaging €10,000,000 a year over the period. Farsons is a totally owned Maltese Group led by Maltese management selling Maltese brands in Malta and other markets. Bank of Valletta is supporting the restoration process of a number of paintings at the old church in Ghajnsielem dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. The Titular painting by Zejtun-born Mikiel Busuttil is cur- rently in an advanced state of resto- ration. The old parish church dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto was built be- tween 1810 and 1820. On the 9 Sep- tember 1820, Busuttil's painting was brought by procession from Nadur and placed above the main altar of what was the parish church at the time. Almost two hundred years later, the painting was in dire need of res- toration. The task of reversing the signs of the passage of time and con- serving this masterpiece in the best possible state for future generations to enjoy was entrusted to Emanuel Zammit, once the support of Bank of Valletta was secured. Fr Frankie Bajada, Ghajnsielem Parish Priest and Kenneth Micallef, Head CEO's Office at Bank of Valletta paid a visit to Zammit's workshop to see the progress of the restoration works. "It is fascinating to note that in all probability, some parts of Busuttil's original painting were painted over by Giuseppe Cali. In fact, the style of the whole painting is closer to Cali's, who also painted the other works of art that adorn the Church," said the restorer. "Most of Our Lady's dress had been painted over. We are cur- rently going through the painstaking process of removing the top layer of paint to reveal the original painting underneath." "The removal of the top layer of paint has also revealed the original artist's signature and date," con- tinued Zammit. "The painting is also being subjected to an extensive cleaning process to remove a number of layers of varnish that have dete- riorated over the years and now are merely covering up the vibrant col- ours entrapped underneath them." "Bank of Valletta's commitment towards the national heritage has made the Bank's name synonymous with several ambitious restoration projects over the past years. Every project involves years of challenging and meticulous work, but the feeling of satisfaction when another piece of the national patrimony is restored to its former glory makes it all worth- while," explained Kenneth Micallef. "Indeed, our collaboration with the Ghajnsielem Parish Church does not end with the titular painting but extends to a number of paintings by renowned artist Giuseppe Cali. To this date, this humble church at- tracts a continuous flow of devout pilgrims to its doors. We are really looking forward to increasing the ap- peal of this church once all paintings are restored and find their place back within the old church walls." Hilton Malta today announced that it was cho- sen as a winner in the top 25 hotels in Malta, top 25 hotels for service in Malta and Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Malta placing second by TripAdvisor in its 2014 Travellers' Choice awards. Now in its twelfth year, the annual TripAdvi- sor Travellers' Choice awards honour the world's best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. About Hilton Malta Hilton Malta ideally located in the prestigious Portomaso development opened its doors in 2000 by George Fenech. Standing as a centrepiece of the Maltese coastline, the Hilton Malta has come to represent the style, comfort and hospitality for which the Hilton brand is renowned. The hotel boasts 410 rooms and suites, four outdoor pools, private beach club, water sports and diving cen- tre. The LivingWell Health Club found within the hotel includes a fully equipped gymnasium, dance studios, Toni & Guy Hair Studio, Myoka Spas, tennis & Squash courts, saunas, steam rooms and an indoor heated pool. The hotel also houses an exciting array of restaurants including the Blue Elephant, Merkanti, Bottega del Vino and Oceana, amongst others. About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor is the world's largest travel site, enabling travellers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from travellers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 60 million unique monthly visitors, and over 75 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China un- der daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes Tri- pAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to TripAd- visor's millions of monthly visitors. For reviews on the Hilton Malta, log on to http:// goo.gl/TKYdLW To see 2014 Travellers' Choice winners, go to http://goo.gl/VHkaAQ Left to right: HSBC Malta Director Dr Philip Farrugia Randon presenting the Bank's sponsorship to Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti Chairman Maurice de Giorgio Farsons Group Chairman Louis A Farrugia indicating the new €27 million Beer Packaging facility to the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in the presence of Farsons Group CEO Norman Aquilina