Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/483475
Events 26 maltatoday, Sunday, 22 March 2015 Emirates Holidays, the tour- operating arm of Emirates, is re- launching the brand in Malta with the appointment of ROCS Travel as its Preferred Sales Agent (PSA). ROCS Travel, one of the leading leisure travel companies, is open- ing a dedicated Emirates Holidays retail store in the heart of the busi- ness district in St Anne Street, Flo- riana, to cater to travel trade and direct customers. The retail outlet is also supported by a call centre to support both retail and trade busi- ness. This was officially announced on Thursday at the AMITEX Fair in Naxxar. "Based on their current success within Malta's travel industry, and essential requirements, ROCS Travel was selected as the Preferred Partner for our Emirates Holidays brand. We welcome the partner- ship and look forward to capitalis- ing on the growing leisure market potential in Malta," said Fabio Prestijacopo, Vice President, Emir- ates Holidays. Emirates Holidays will initially fo- cus on sales to Dubai, Indian Ocean and the Far East, in particular Thailand, although its global port- folio of packages includes over 100 destinations which will be available for purchase in Malta. Emirates Holidays has been oper- ating in Malta for the past 15 years by a number of travel agents, includ- ing ROCS Travel, through Emirates sales office at Malta International Airport. Emirates Holidays packag- es include Emirates flights, whose exceptionally high quality of serv- ice has earned Emirates airline over 400 major international awards. "We are confident that through Emirates Holidays collaboration, we will provide the best possible holi- day and memorable experiences to our discerning travellers. Our cus- tomers always travel secure know- ing that we consistently ensure that their vacation arrangements meet their needs and expectations," said Ms Rachel Vella, ROCS Group Di- rector. "Malta was among the earlier European countries to be served by Emirates since March 1998 and currently operates daily scheduled flight to Dubai via Larnaca, Cy- prus. Our clients know that Emir- ates is not just an airline to take you from one place to another but a high quality brand that is competi- tive and affordable. The opening of Emirates Holidays dedicated retail outlet by ROCS Travel in Floriana will increase the brand exposure and our sales in Malta," said Mr Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates Malta Manager. Emirates operates flights to 148 destinations in 83 countries across six continents. The airline con- nects travellers from Malta to over 100 east-bound destinations, in- cluding the direct route to Cyprus and onward to Dubai. Actavis completes Allergan acquisition Microsoft Vice-President of Education to visit Malta Actavis plc announced that it has completed the acquisition of Al- lergan, Inc. in a cash and equity transaction valued at approximately $70.5 billion. The combination creates one of the world's top 10 pharmaceutical companies by sales revenue, with combined annual pro forma rev- enues of more than $23 billion an- ticipated in 2015. "The combination of Actavis and Allergan creates an exceptional glo- bal pharmaceutical company and a leader in a new industry model – Growth Pharma," said Brent Saun- ders, CEO and President of Actavis. "Anchored by world-renowned brand franchises, a leading global generics business, a premier phar- maceutical development pipeline and an experienced management team committed to maintaining highly efficient operations across the organization, we are creating an unrivaled foundation for long-term growth. "Our combined company will be built around a customer-focused commitment to partnering with physicians, pharmacists and patients to deliver innovative treatments and enhance access to important thera- pies around the world. "We have industry-leading global commercial strength, with sustain- able blockbuster brand franchises in key therapeutic categories and broad commercial reach extending across approximately 100 countries. "Our experienced field-based representatives will continue to de- liver exceptional support on a broad range of products to physicians and specialists around the world. And our powerful global supply chain is broadly recognized as a world leader, with continued excellence in quality and customer service. "Supporting the growth of this in- novative industry model is our stra- tegically focused R&D engine, built on novel compounds in specialty and primary care markets where there is significant unmet medical need, and fueled by approximately $1.7 billion in annual investment. With an innovative product de- velopment portfolio exceeding 20 near-term projects and a world- class generics pipeline, which con- tinues to hold an industry-leading position in First-to-File opportuni- ties in the U.S. and more than 1,000 marketing authorizations globally, we are uniquely positioned within our industry to ensure our devel- opment activities support sustain- able long-term organic growth. "With the acquisition now com- plete, we will immediately begin implementing our comprehensive integration plans to ensure that we leverage our strengthened global organization to generate sustain- able organic earnings growth from our newly expanded base, and con- tinue our ascent into the fastest- growing and most Actavis continues to expect the transaction to generate double-dig- it accretion to non-GAAP earnings within the first 12 months, includ- ing approximately $1.8 billion in operating and financial synergies to be realized within one year fol- lowing the close. These synergies exclude any ad- ditional revenue or manufacturing synergies, and are in addition to the $475 million of annual savings previously announced by Allergan in connection with Project Endur- ance. Actavis further expects to generate strong operating cash f low in excess of $8 billion in 2016, which would enable the Company to rapidly de-lever the balance sheet. The combination of Actavis and Allergan creates a pharmaceutical business with a growth profile un- paralleled within the industry. The close of the transaction cre- ates an exceptional global brand pharmaceutical business with leading positions in key therapeu- tic categories. The company has six blockbuster franchises with com- bined pro forma 2015 revenues of approximately $15 billion expect- ed, including franchises with annu- al revenues in excess of $3 billion in Eye Care, Neurosciences/CNS and Medical Aesthetics/Dermatology/ Plastic Surgery, as well as a portfolio of world-renowned brands includ- ing Botox, Restasis, Juvederm, Na- menda XR, Linzess and LO Loestrin Fe among others. IELS celebrated its 30-year Anni- versary since its inception as one of the first schools to open in Malta back in 1985 when it was set up as a joint venture between Mizzi Or- ganisation and FTI Group. Currently IELS operates two schools in Malta and another in Gozo with a total capacity of over 160 classrooms, making it one of the largest English language schools in Malta. Recently, IELS has invested €4 million to upgrade its main school and offices as well as the three star Day's Inn Hotel in Sliema, which is also owned and operated by IELS. IELS employs a dedicated and professional team with over 150 members of staff. Since IELS first opened its doors, it has welcomed over 200,000 stu- dents from all over the world. IELS employs a dedicated and profes- sional leisure and welfare team that organises various cultural and so- cial activities and ensures that the safety and wellbeing of the students is always a high priority. In all, IELS employs over 150 members of staff Since 1985, IELS has contrib- uted towards the development of the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) industry locally and has in- troduced various new academic programmes over the years. It has always stayed at the forefront of contemporary English Language Teaching methodologies with an effective academic ethos based on sound language learning and ac- quisition principles. It is also the only language school on the island that offers both Cambridge Celta and Delta courses leading to inter- nationally recognised, high quality teaching qualifications. "I am proud to say that over the past 30 years, thanks to our high standards, a dedicated team and the reputation all our schools enjoy worldwide, IELS has grown its busi- ness exponentially," said General Manager Alex Lanczet. "In fact, the number of students grows substan- tially on a yearly basis and over the past five years alone the school reg- istered an increase of 40%." The growing demand for English language courses and proficiency has seen English as a Foreign Lan- guage (EFL) develop into a major global educational service indus- try, with Malta being amongst the top eight destinations where non- native English speakers travel to learn English. Apart from the direct revenue generated through teach- ing, IELS has a ripple effect on the Maltese economy as it contracts not only direct employees, but also host families, hotels, personnel from the leisure and entertainment industry and catering establishments. IELS is also part of the prestigious international group of schools LAL Language Centres, which have a portfolio of schools in the UK, US and South Africa. The anniversary was celebrated with a lavish gala party at Xara Lodge attended by directors and shareholders from Mizzi Organisa- tion and FTI Group, key partners from main business entities, ma- jor stakeholders, service providers, agents and IELS staff. The Big Band Brothers provided lively entertain- ment throughout the evening. Anthony Salcito, Vice-President of Education for Microsoft Corpora- tion's Worldwide Public Sector will be visiting Malta on Monday 23 March. Besides meeting Microsoft Malta's team and visiting the Microsoft In- novation Center, Salcito will also visit Stella Maris College, which this year is one of Microsoft's Light- house Schools following a success- ful pilot project hosted by Microsoft and Maltese company Smart Tech- nologies. Schools join Microsoft's Light- house program when they would have shown particular effort in fostering a digital learning environ- ment through the implimentation of initiatives that equip students with the critical 21st century skills needed to be globally competitive. Microsoft Lighthouse schools such as Stella Maris College serve as a model for how to effectively im- plement a transformative learning model and close the technology di- vide that exists across the nation be - tween students who have access to technology and opportunities and those who do not. "This is a very exciting time for the Education sector in Malta and Microsoft is going to make it even more exciting as we embark on a number of new initiatives in line with our vision to impact the lives of the Maltese. Anthony Salcito's visit to Malta will underline Microsoft Malta's focus on continuing to en- able our youth for success, driving economic growth, and being lead- ers in EU for hybrid cloud environ- ments, both in the government and commercial sector," said Adrianna Zammit, Country Manager, Micro- soft Malta & Cyprus. Anthony Salcito joined Micro- soft in 1992 and was instrumental in the launch of several successful education programs and partner- ships such as the Microsoft Educa- tor Network, and has actively led Microsoft's efforts to support and increase technology's role in class- rooms. Today his role is to oversee the worldwide execution of Micro- soft's vision for education, in addi- tion to its partnership and technol- ogy outreach efforts. Emirates Holidays appoints ROCS Travel as its preferred sales agent in Malta IELS English language school marks 30 years of success Anthony Salcito