Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/368911
41 maltatoday, Sunday, 24 auguSt 2014 Events Dhalia Real Estate Services partners with Gascoignes International Dhalia Real Estate Services has continued to expand its interna- tional network following the recent signing of a partnership agreement that will see the agency work hand- in-hand with a leading interna- tional property brand, Gascoignes International. Headquartered in London, Gas- coignes International has a reach that spans the UK with a large number of associated estate agents. They assist their clients with travel arrangements for overseas view- ings and carefully select properties to ensure their customers have a choice of prime properties and de- velopments to view. "Gascoigne International focuses on providing its customers with a superior level of service, a philoso- phy that is in perfect harmony with our own," Chris Grech, chairman and CEO of Dhalia explained. "In addition, they specialize in help- ing UK residents find homes in warm and sunny climates, thereby enabling us to source more foreign buyers for our local property sell- ers." Many of Gascoigne Internation- al's clients look for international properties to use as a holiday home, for rental investment, or simply to relocate to and enjoy a new life- style. "Malta has a range of beautiful properties, from modern penthous- es to rustic villas, as well as a perfect climate, which combine to make it an ideal location for UK residents. Unsurprisingly, our island has al- ways been popular with the British and they always comprise a large proportion of foreign buyers. This new partnership will enable us to reach many more UK resi- dents who are looking for an over- seas home, and we will be connect- ing them with the many Maltese sellers that have placed their trust in Dhalia and registered their prop- erty with us," Grech said. Dhalia continues to work to ex- pand its international networks, making sure Maltese property re- mains prominent within interna- tional markets. "We firmly believe in the impor- tance of promoting Malta and what it can offer property buyers. And we will take every opportunity to do so. This partnership with Gas- coigne International is one of many initiatives we are pursuing so that we can bring our clients not just the superior level of service they have come to expect from us, but also a larger number of international buy- ers too," Grech added. MAPFRE records revenues of €13,720 million in the first half of 2014 MAPFRE generated premium vol- ume of €11.78 billion in the first half of 2014, similar to the figure for the same period of the previ- ous year, and produced attribut- able earnings of €457.7 million, up 0.4%. Revenues stood at €13.72 billion, a figure in line with that of the preceding year. The first half was characterised by the strength of the euro against the company's key trading currencies; at con- stant exchange rates, premiums would have grown by 8% and prof- its by 7%. MAPFRE is represented in Malta by Middlesea Insurance, which forms part of the MAPFRE Group. Profits before taxes and minor- it y interests reached a new first- half high for MAPFRE, increasing by 8.7% to €942 million, having risen by 45% since the onset of the financial crisis in 2007. During the first six months of the year, business was robust, result- ing in the company registering an excellent combined ratio. Moreo- ver, equit y grew by nearly €820 million in the period to €10.71 bil- lion, due in part to falling spreads in Spain. Likewise, unrealised capital gains recognised directly in equit y have shown a rise of over €1.55 billion since the previous year-end. Non-Life premiums in the first half totalled €8.62 billion, (down 0.5%), but the second quarter saw a year-on-year increase, (up 1.4%). "These results show that the international business continues growing, and MAPFRE is notic- ing signs of economic recovery in Spain. Moreover, the excellent 95.7% combined ratio ref lects outstanding operational manage- ment," stated Antonio Huertas, MAPFRE's Chairman and CEO. Shareholders' equit y stood at €8.48 billion, an 8.3 percent rise since year-end 2013, and total managed assets were €72.33 bil- lion, an increase of 7.2 percent over the last twelve months. Furthermore, the Standard & Poor's ratings agency in May raised the counterpart y credit rat- ings of MAPFRE RE and MAPFRE GLOBAL RISKS to 'A', and those of the Group's parent company to 'BBB+', all of them with outlook stable. These upward revisions come on the back of those issued by this and other ratings agencies during the six first months of the year, which reaffirms the finan- cial strength of MAPFRE and its subsidiary companies. Middlesea Insurance launches Insure and Save Loyalty card MIDDLESEA Insurance recently launched a loyalty card program: Insure and Save. This loyalty card will offer all Middlesea customers access to a number of discounts from local businesses as well as ac- cess to exclusive offers. The Middlesea Insurance loyalty program provides clients with the opportunity to save money during their day to day activities. Holders of the card will have the opportu- nity to avail themselves of up to 35% discount in a number of out- lets including household goods, hotel accommodation, health and beauty products, electronic equip- ment and restaurants, among oth- ers. At launch stage, the loyalty card already includes discounts in more than 70 establishments, with more establishments to be added every month. Fernando Docampo, Assistant General Manager at Middlesea Insurance says: "At Middlesea, we believe that customers are looking for an insurer who appreciates and recognises customer loyalty. Cus- tomers want to be treated as an in- dividual and not as just a number. It is our aim to not just provide customers with peace of mind through our products, but also to care for them in other ways and this is our way to thank them for their loyalty" For more information, clients are encouraged to call on 2248 02222. An updated list of the out- lets which are participating in the Insure and Save Scheme can be viewed on Middlesea Insurance's website www.middlesea.com. Middlesea Insurance p.l.c. (C-5553) is authorised by the Mal- ta Financial Services Authority to carry on both Long Term and General Business under the Insur- ance Business Act, 1998 COM NO 040814 846 Voices is back in October A twist on the conventional English proverb, but for 200 choristers, this expression serves as a motto, for it is through music and their voice that they open up their hearts and souls to the audience. 'Heart and Soul' is the title selected for this year's series of concerts. The theme is the embodi- ment of the passion and efforts of a team of more than 300 volunteers, who have joined their strengths and efforts to offer their audiences 10 spectacular nights of music for a wor- thy cause. Voices will be staging its 13th edi- tion of concerts on 1-5 and 8 -12 October at the Mediterranean Con- ference Centre. Preparations and re- hearsals are well under way, with the levels of enthusiasm and excitement being sky high in anticipation of the first night. This year's extensive repertoire consists of 22 popular musical num- bers including songs by Queen, Be- yonce, Michael Jackson, Elton John and Lorde, guaranteeing a memora- ble night for the audience. The choir, directed by Martina Caruana will be accompanied by a 9-piece live band led by drummer Sandro Grech. The songs were musically arranged by Mro. Kevin Abela. This year a production team of more than 40 professionals has been set up to ensure a high standard perform- ance, both musically and visually. Voices Foundation chairman An- tonello Gauci, who addressed the Press Conference launching Voices Heart and Soul, explained how, "Voices epitomises the generosity of hundreds of volunteers who dedicate endless hours of their free time to help others." Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairper- son of the Vodafone Malta Founda- tion, the long-standing title sponsor of the Voices concerts, said that, "The Vodafone Malta Foundation is proud to be supporting this noble initiative once again. A showcase of talent for a good cause." Regardless of being in its 24th year Voices' tenets have remained constant, that is, the celebration of a community experience inspiring and engaging a number of people to voluntarily contribute to a common cause – a cause which is shared with the audience, as the proceeds from these concerts will go to various charities. To date Voices has raised more than €1.7 million. Present at the Press Conference was Fr. Savio Vella, repre- senting the Salesians of Don Bosco, whose Mamma Margerita Home project was selected as lead project during the 2012 Voices Dream a Lit- tle Dream Concerts. Voices Heart and Soul is organised in collaboration with The Vodafone Malta Foundation and is supported by Gold Sponsors: Kinnie, Malta In- ternational Airport, Island Caterers, Yellow – Discover Local, as well as by Silver Sponsors: Martini Royale, ICE Malta, Opel by Cars International, Vivendo Group, Brooks Brothers and Vileda. Tickets for Voices Heart and Soul will be available for online purchase as from the 25th of August at 10:00am via the MCC Website http://booking. mcc.com.mt. Tickets at €15 (balcony), €25 (Stalls), and €30 (Dress Circle) will also be available for purchase from the MCC booking office, Valletta, as from 12 September during box office hours: weekdays 10:00am – 1.00pm and 5.00 – 7.00pm and Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays. For more information about Voices Heart and Soul visit the Voices Website on http://voices.org.mt or the Voices Foundation Facebook page