Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/296073
12 Business Today maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 APRIL 2014 Download the MaltaToday App now Global Gases chooses Malta for first blending facility in the Mediterranean Global Gases, the world's leading producer and distributor of speciali- ty industrial gases, has chosen Malta as the site for the first specialty gas blending facility in the Mediterrane- an region. The facility, located in the Bulebel Industrial Estate, Żejtun, was inaugurated by the Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Dr Chris Cardona. Global Gases, with its headquarters in Dubai, is the world's leading independent supplier of industrial and speciality gases to the offshore and medical markets. The company's products include, among other speciality gases, a range of gases and mixtures based on argon and helium for a wide range of metal joining activities, breathing gas mixtures for deep water offshore operations, mixtures of liquid helium and nitrogen and associated products and services for MRI operations, cylinder gases and mixtures for research, laboratory and other medical applications. Global Gases' Managing Director and CEO Deepak Mehta said, "Our new plant in Malta, which is the first speciality gas blending facility in the Mediterranean and Europe, will provide an excellent base for us to further improve our ability to serve clients in Malta, across North and West Africa, as well as Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. "We have invested an initial €2 million to get this facility up and running but the long term benefit for Malta will be much greater as this is a high value business that is very likely to generate considerable revenues for Malta's Treasury." "Malta is the ideal location for us, not only because of its great geo- political location. The fact that the process of setting up businesses here is rigorous but straightforward was also crucial, as was the first class support from all the agencies which we have dealt with. Global Gases is committed to the long term development of our operation in Malta as the hub for our expanding the business across the region," continued Mr Mehta. Global Gases has facilities in Afghanistan, Australia, China, Georgia, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. Through these facilities, the company provides industrial and high purity helium, argon, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide for use across a wide range of applications. Minister Cardona said, "Global Gases took a strategic decision to invest in Malta because of its great location between Europe and North Africa but also because they found the right environment, infrastructure and support to give them the confidence to invest in our country. "This is exactly the type of international, high value business that the Government is working hard to attract to Malta. The opening of this new facility reinforces our belief that the inward investment strategy we are pursuing is the right one." The Malta gas blending facility will operate as a separate company, Global Gasses Mediterranean, within the Global Gases group. Global Gases Mediterranean is led by Country Manager Royston Vella. Vella has several years experience in industrial fire and security industries in both Malta and the United Kingdom. Global Gases' Managing Director and CEO Mr Deepak Mehta together with Minister Dr Chris Cardona unveiling the official plaque to inaugurate the new facility in Malta. Also in photo (right) Country Manager Royston Vella HSBC Malta rewards outstanding accomplishments in 2013 A number of HSBC Malta employees were recently treated to a ceremonial dinner at the InterContinental Hotel in St Julian's as part of the bank's Employee Excellence Awards 2014. These awards are a prestigious and enjoyable way to recognise mem- bers of staff who truly stand out for their accomplishments. Melita launches new Business Circle mobile tariffs From left to right: HSBC Malta CEO Mark Watkinson and Chairman Sonny Portelli congratulating the Corporate Real Estate for winning the highly acclaimed HTS Platinum Award Melita Business has launched new mo- bile tariff plans aimed at the business market, which include unlimited calls to all local networks. The innovative plans help business to control their monthly expenses, and the more mobile lines are added the bigger the savings. "Usage patterns show that most businesses are high mobile users. The success of their business depends on being on the move and available at all time. Bill shocks remain a big concern to business owners. "The new Business Circle plans address these concerns. Every line includes unlimited calls to all local networks at very competitive subscription rates, and subscription costs continue to decrease as more lines are added," Claire Galea, Business Marketing Manager at Melita, said. Business Circle plans enable businesses to grow without growing their costs exponentially. A first line costs just €50 per month and includes unlimited calls and SMS all local networks. This line also includes free 3GB of mobile internet and 500 minutes of calls to the EU. The innovative part is that every additional line is cheaper. A second line is only €30 per month, a third would be €25 while additional lines would be just €20 per month. All the lines in the group also get to share 20GB of free melitaWIFI per month. As a special introductory offer, any business option for Business Circle plans until end of July will get 3GB of mobile internet and 500 minutes of calls to the EU on every mobile line. A small company with four employees with paid mobile would be paying just €125 per month and all local calls and SMS would be covered, and there is no need to worry if calling to the Vodafone network or other networks.