Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/509499
Events 28 maltatoday, Sunday, 10 May 2015 GO invites public to experience the internet of the future GreenPak supports eco-contributions' removal; welcomes WEEE Compliance schemes Kia enjoys record quarterly European sales Following the recent announcement of a €50 million plus investment in Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) In- ternet, GO is inviting the public to experience the superfast Internet world of the future, including the opportunity to try out the much talked about Oculus Rift virtual re- ality headset. Over the next four Saturdays, starting 9 May, a special stand will be open at The Point shopping complex in Sliema. In addition to the Oculus Rift, the stand will also showcase Ultra High Definition TV and other Internet powered de- vices, which will become common household items with the roll out of superfast Internet. Visitors to the stand will also be able to learn more about GO's fibre services. Kurt Camilleri, Chief Commercial Officer at GO, said, "GO's recent announcement about the roll out of Fibre-To-The-Home has generated a lot of curiosity about what superfast Internet will actually mean in our daily lives. There is, in fact, a world of new opportunities opening up, in business, leisure, entertainment, and even in how we manage the more mundane things like making breakfast. "Over the next four Saturdays, starting 9 May, anyone who is in- terested in the future is welcome to come over to The Point and get a taste of what having a fibre connection that goes straight into your home modem actually feels like." More than 17,000 homes, lo- cated mostly in Sliema and areas of St. Julian's and Lija are in fact already able to access FTTH con- nections and GO internet sub- scribers in these areas can now switch their Internet service to fi- bre, even if they choose to remain on their current Internet plans, in order to future proof their homes. Customers in these areas who wish to start enjoying the benefits of GO fibre immediately will also be able to select from new super- fast Internet plans which will be an- nounced shortly. GreenPak Cooperative Society believes that the removal of eco-contri- butions is intrinsically linked to successful im- plementation of Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Com- pliance schemes. This was stated in its position pa- per submitted in response to the Consultation Brief on the Draft Waste Man- agement (WEEE) Regula- tion 2015. "In recent years the GreenPak Scheme has been an important and integral ingredient in the development of recycling post-consumer packaging. Green- Pak is committed to repeat the same successful achievement in the case of WEEE. The Extended Producer Responsibility model, as promot- ed by GreenPak, is the key driver behind recycling by the business community," said Ing Mario Schembri, GreenPak Cooperative Society CEO. In order to counter the mush- rooming of opportunistic - if not even rogue - operators abusing the proposed system, GreenPak is ad- vocating that relevant legislation is setup requiring the compliance schemes to be wholly owned by obliged companies, to operate in a transparent manner, be financially structured on a not-for-profit ba- sis, and act as a public service pro- vider at core. Obliged companies are those commercial organisa- tions involved in the sale of electric and electronic equipment ranging from hairdryers and refrigerators to mobile phones and computers. GreenPak agrees that financial guarantees should be in place across the board, whether for self-complying companies or for schemes as while such guarantees are in the interest of all law-abid- ing companies, they bring about structural resilience in combating possible fraudsters. At the same time, GreenPak be- lieves that capping the guarantee at €50,000 in the case of self-compli- ance whilst no ceiling is set on the guarantee in the case of authorised schemes, creates an un-even play- ing field. A scheme has much high- er operational costs as it is obliged to collect mixed WEEE materi- als from households, something which no self-complying company will do. It is also not possible for a scheme to 'cherry pick' lucrative waste streams as is normal prac- tise with 'self-complying' compa- nies seeking pure commercial gain. A basic and determining fact is that a scheme provides services to the public, while a self-compliant company does not. Cost modelling prepared by GreenPak shows that if companies whose annual fees would exceed €50,000 are enticed away from join- ing a scheme, the resulting costs for running a scheme would have to be shared by fewer and smaller sized companies. Such a situa- tion will result in higher costs that would inevita- bly be transferred to the consumers in the form of higher selling prices of electronic products, in a sector that is already hard pressed with online shop- ping and parallel imports. "As a Cooperative Soci- ety, GreenPak works for the common good and not in the interest of minori- ties or single opportun- istic individuals seeking to make commercial gain at the expense of others. GreenPak's position on this matter is therefore the result of its inherent trans- parent governance and ref lects its ethos for the common good, under- pinned by its Cooperative Society structure," he added. While acknowledging that once the eco-contributions system is dismantled the Government may be exposed to loss of annual in- come and the risk that WEEE tar- gets may not be achieved, Green- Pak welcomes the removal of tax on electrical products as this is a step in the right direction: it will lead to obliged-industry taking up the recycling of WEEE. Further information from Green- pak website www.greenpak.com.mt, or tel: 2166 1081 or email: info@ greenpak.com.mt Kia Motors Europe achieved the highest first quarter sales in the company's history, with year-to- date growth of 7.4%, according to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Asso- ciation (ACEA). During the first three months of 2015, Kia posted sales of 96,092, the highest quarterly figure ever recorded by the Korean brand in Europe. Compared to the same pe- riod in 2014, this represents growth of 7.4%. Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe, com- mented: "The first three months of the year have seen Kia's strongest ever quarterly sales, and we're de- lighted that the company is main- taining a pattern of strong, sustain- able growth. Our high quality, high value products continue to appeal to an increas- ing numbers of car buy- ers." Cole added, "We are focused on delivering an industry-best level of service at every custom- er touchpoint – and our record results show that this approach is work- ing. Simply put, we want customers to enjoy the car buying journey with Kia." Though the Kia Sportage is now entering its fourth full year of pro- duction, the car enjoyed its best ever monthly sales in March, with 12,596 vehicles sold across Europe – over 400 per day. The Sportage found 27,796 European buyers through- out Q1 this year, representing sales growth of 18% for the brand's im- portant best-selling model. The current version of the Sportage was updated in 2014 with a range of vis- ual and dynamic enhancements. Kia's first quarter growth has also been driven by rising sales of the all-new Kia Soul, which on- ly recently went on-sale across Europe, as well as the recently upgraded Venga. The cee'd remains the brand's second best-selling model in Europe behind the Sportage, and continues to appeal to customers thanks to its classy design, high quality interior, efficient range of engines and practical nature. All models in Kia's European line-up continue to be sold with the brand's unique 7-year war- ranty. 56% of the cars delivered by Kia to customers in Europe were also made in Europe at the brand's modern pro- duction facility in Žilina, Slovakia. 54,200 cars produced in Žilina have been sold across Europe this year, consisting of the Kia Sportage, cee'd model family and Venga. Having started production in 2006, Kia's European manufacturing facil- ity recently produced its two mil- lionth car – a high-powered Deluxe White' Kia pro_cee'd GT, destined for a buyer in Belgium. The UK retained its place as Kia Motors' number one market in Eu- rope, with 22,265 cars sold in the first quarter of 2015 and its highest ever sales month in March (15,017 units). Kia also celebrated a record- breaking month in Spain, with the 4,961 units sold in March a best-ever result – contributing to a national to- tal of 11,513 units for the first quar- ter. Germany was Kia's second best- performing market from January to March, with 12,451 units sold. Frank Salt Real Estate appoints new manager to head its Commercial Division Frank Salt Real Estate Group has recently expanded its management team through the appointment of a new manager: Rita K. Schembri as the Commercial Unit Manager. Schembri (above) is a University of Malta Graduate in Accountancy with a progressive financial and management career spanning over twenty-five years. Rita is a seasoned results-driven professional, a highly effective communicator and an ex- perienced manager. Her task is to manage and ex- pand further the entire Commer- cial Property Division. She brings a wealth of experience to the Com- mercial Properties Division of Frank Salt Real Estate and will, amongst other, be spearheading this com- pany segment with enthusiasm and determination. With over 45 years of experience in real estate, the company has set the Commercial Division as a key strategic growth area for 2015 "We are very pleased with this appoint- ment" says Managing Director, Joseph Lupi adding, "with her mar- ket knowledge, clear understanding of business priorities and demon- strated expertise in rapidly advanc- ing business goals, coupled with her management skills, we are fully confident that our Commercial Property Division under her man- agement will reach new heights". The Commercial Property Divi- sion has its designated branch at Level 2, 2, Paceville Avenue, St Ju- lians, on telephone 23 794 181 or by email at commercial@franksalt. com.mt