Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/323754
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2014 16 Events IN preparation for the launch of the new €10 banknote on 23 September 2014, 3 million shops and small busi- nesses across the euro area will receive information leaflets and motion cards about the new €10 note. The leaflet encourages the shops and small businesses to ensure that their banknote handling and authen- tication devices are ready to accept the new note. The €10 banknote of the Europa se- ries will be issued on 23 September 2014. To ensure that those who handle cash at work are familiar with the vis- ual appearance of the new banknote and its security features, and can relay this information to their customers, the Eurosystem will send leaflets to over 3 million shops and small busi- ness across the euro area in June. The leaflet reminds professional cash handlers about the timeline for the launch and the steps that need to be taken to adapt their equipment for the new €10 banknote. It also reminds them that banknotes are easy to check manually, using the Feel-Look-Tilt checking method. Ton Roos, Director Banknotes, said, "We are undertaking this extensive exercise to ensure the information reaches as many professional cash handlers as possible in all euro area countries to prepare them for the new banknote". Distribution of the leaflet started today in Finland and Estonia and will reach all euro area countries by the end of June. Additional copies of the leaf- let can also be ordered on the www. new-euro-banknotes.eu website. AN Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition model, the first in Malta, was un- veiled last week at the Alfa Romeo showroom in Valley Road Msida. The newly arrived car in Carrara White is a Launch Edition model as launched by Alfa Romeo at last year's 83rd International Mo- tor Show in Geneva. This unit is number 394 out of 500 examples worldwide. The non-limited mod- el is now available for sale at Alfa Showroom. Designed by Alfa Romeo engi- neers and produced at the Maserati plant in Modena, the Alfa Romeo 4C represents the true essence of a sports car at the heart of Alfa Romeo's DNA: performance, Ital- ian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satis- faction in total safety. Addressing the media and guests attending the unveiling of the 4C, Francesca Mamo, Managing Di- rector of Pater Group, local rep- resentatives of Alfa Romeo noted how the model not only ref lects a perfect blend of sheer beauty and technological reinvention but is also a show of force and an epitome of Italian style, elegance and tech- nological innovation. "One of its innovations lies in the extensive use of lightweight ma- terials including carbon fibre to give it a total weight of just 895kg. It also boasts an acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 258km/h," said Mamo. "Beyond its very advanced tech- nicalities however, the Alfa Romeo 4C has beauty as one of its great- est attributes. In fact, once it was launched, the 4C was immediately voted the 'Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year' in Germany and al- so won the Auto Bild Design Award 2011. "From then onwards, a long list of awards followed such as "Design Award for Concept Cars & Proto- types" in Villa d'Este, "Car of the Year 2013" award by FHM Maga- zine in the UK, "Most Beautiful Car of the Year 2013" at the 29th International Automobile Festival in France and many more." The Launch Edition Alfa Romeo 4C features a carbon aerodynamic kit (including headlights, spoiler and door mirror covers), a rear alu- minium extractor with dark fin- ishing, Bi-LED headlights, 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels with burnishing treatment, front air intakes, brake calipers in a spe- cific colour, race exhaust system with BMC air cleaner, a suspen- sion kit with specific calibration for shock absorbers and rear anti- roll bar, highlights provided by the leather/fabric sports seats with parts in Alcantara and a numbered carbon badge. "The presence of the 4C in Malta will keep reinforcing the Alfa Romeo brand as the brand of choice for cars that are the prod- uct of a prestigious legacy based on tradition, beauty and a sport- ing heart – the Cuore Sportivo. That unique Alfa Romeo heart that pumps like no other. It is what will always make the Alfa Romeo brand stand out from the rest," concluded Mamo. One of the most interesting as- pects of the Alfa Romeo 4C is not the 240bhp 1750 Tbi engine with Alfa's TCT twin dry clutch trans- mission, or the 250+kph top speed, or the fact that it's Alfa D.N.A. has a RACE mode included; but it is the 895kg weight! Because it's so light, the relatively diminutive output doesn't really matter - in power-to-weight terms, it has 268bhp per ton, more than lightest Porsche Cayman S (246bhp per ton), and even a base model 911 Carrera at 253bhp per ton. The result of this is a Ferrari-annoying 0-100 of 4.5 seconds! BANIF Bank (Malta) plc has opened its 12th branch in the busy trade area of Paola. The new retail outlet will form part of a network optimisation pro- gramme that will enable the Bank to reach out to more clients in their lo- cality, while attracting regional traf- fic and commercial activity. Offering better facilities and points of sales to customers is at the core of the Bank's operations, and having a wider map coverage will contribute further to the high standards of cus- tomer care the Bank already enjoys. The Paola retail outlet was offi- cially inaugurated by The Hon Min- ister for Finance Prof. Edward Sci- cluna, in the presence of the Bank's Chairman Dr Michael Frendo, Chief Executive Officer Joaquim F. Silva Pinto, directors, and heads of department, the branch team, and distinguished guests. The new branch in Pjazza de Paule will be led by experienced banker and area manager Martin Borg and will be offering the local community the whole gamut of products, from savings, to loans and cash manage- ment solutions. The branch team has already been busy getting to know the local peo- ple so that personalised advice can be given based on clients' unique needs. The Bank is strengthening its competitor potential, growing fast into a meaningful size. "The new Government looks to- wards the Maltese banking sector as a sound and solid sector which has managed to weather the financial storm which swept across the Euro zone. This was thanks to Malta's regulatory mechanism, the ethics of our operators, and the sector's professional human resources," Sci- cluna said. "The government is committed to continuing to strengthen the bank- ing sector and introducing those legislative mechanisms which help the sector expand, while providing peace of mind to depositors." He went on to add that the Govern- ment is looking forward to working closely with local banks on various initiatives, such as the upcoming Third Pillar Pension Scheme, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks. "The opening of our new branches will help us improve our perform- ance," said Banif Bank CEO Silva Pinto. "With a better understanding of our customers on the ground we can optimise our product portfolio and provide individuals, families, shops and businesses a customised range of services. "Paola is an important trade area and a great location for the Bank to pursue its market penetration plans." 3 million shops and small businesses will receive leaflets about the new €10 banknote New Banif Bank branch in Paola Untours Insurance Agents Ltd. launches a new corporate identity UNTOURS Insurance Agents Ltd. (UIA), a dy- namic insurance agency with over 45 years of expe- rience, has launched a new corporate identity. This change forms part of a holistic strategic plan revolv- ing around one main goal; that of becoming a lead- ing company within the insurance sector. Untours Insurance's Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Buttigieg comments, "There were a number of com- pelling reasons which steered us to change our cor- porate identity. Following an in-depth evaluation of the company's strategy back in 2013, the Board of Directors felt that it was the right time for a strategy reformulation. "The result of this exercise is now taking us in this exciting, new direction. We feel that the new brand image adequately reflects our enhanced standards of service and our vision for the future." The company's overall strategic plan focuses on growth. In this respect, another immediate mile- stone for Untours Insurance will be the relocation of its head office from Valletta to a new state-of-the-art office, in a more central location at the A3 Towers in Marsa. Moreover, Untours Insurance shall still keep its presence in Valletta through its branch in Old Bakery Street. Commenting on such a strategic move, Buttigieg stated, "Moving to a more central location will en- able us to efficiently respond to the growing demand for our services. We are evolving and constantly im- proving our services to better cater for our custom- ers' needs and to offer the heightened protection and peace of mind that our clients are looking for." Untours Insurance provides affordable insurance protection for both personal and commercial needs. More information can be obtained by calling 2559 8000 or by sending an e-mail to insurance@untours. com.mt The first Alfa Romeo 4C in Malta