Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/514194
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 2015 17 MSV Life announced its new publi- cation, A Simple Guide to the MSV With Profits Fund. This is the sec- ond in a series of publications by the company aimed at helping the pub- lic understand financial matters in an uncomplicated way. "We truly believe that creating these guides and making them freely available will be beneficial to our clients and the public in gener- al. Unfortunately, there are gaps in knowledge on financial issues which we need to start addressing," com- mented David G. Curmi, MSV Chief Executive Officer. "Financial literacy is a nationwide social issue. Everyone can benefit from knowing more about how cer- tain investments work and what options are available in the market. This will lead to informed decisions being taken, and eventually individ- uals can become more financially independent." The guide explains how the MSV With Profits Fund combines inves- tors' monies which it then invests directly in a wide range of assets including equity, bonds, property, cash and others. From the returns made, a bonus rate is declared on an annual basis and distributed to poli- cyholders. A special feature of the With Profits Fund is what is known as "smoothing", which is the process of holding back some of the investment return in good years to support bo- nuses in times of weaker investment performance. This means that the Fund is able to declare a relatively similar bonus rate year on year, even when investment markets experi- ence many changes over time, giving investors greater peace of mind. The MSV With Profits Fund also offers capital guarantees, optional annual income and the potential to receive an additional bonus when the plan matures, depending on how long the money is invested for. Un- der current legislation, policyhold- ers are not liable to pay any tax on investments in the Fund, making it one of the most tax-efficient savings options available. For 2014, MSV Life declared an annual bonus of 3.35% on the plans currently available and a final bonus of 1.5% for each year over the 10th year in respect of policies maturing in 2015. For a free copy of A Simple Guide to the MSV With Profits Fund, you can send an email to info@msvlife. com or download it from the MSV Facebook page under 'Download'. MSV Life p.l.c. is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Author- ity to carry on Long Term Business under the Insurance Business Act, 1998. Events GasanMamo Insurance helps Gaia Foundation with its annual clean up AS part of its ongoing commit- ment in supporting the protec- tion and conservation of the Maltese landscape, GasanMamo Insurance recently lent its sup- port to the Gaia Foundation once again. A dedicated team from Gasan- Mamo Insurance gave up its Sat- urday morning to help members from the Gaia Foundation carry out one of their regular clean ups in the Għajn Tuffieħa area and help out in the building of rubble walls in the area. This area, which is one of Malta's most beautiful natural spots, is popular with Maltese and foreigners alike. Once again we would like to thank GasanMamo and their staff for coming to help us with our clean up," said Rudolf Rago- nesi, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. "We are very grateful for Gas- anMamo's collaboration and helpful staff whose invaluable help allows us to step up in our conservation efforts to safeguard them for future generations." GasanMamo Insurance cur- rently sponsors one of Gaia Foun- dation's main projects called "Ol- ympus", which concentrates on removing trees like the Acacia tree, the main alien species on site. It has very strong roots, is highly invasive and prevents the native plants from flourishing. It is replaced by a number of spe- cies such as Lentisk, Mediterra- nean Buckthorn, Yellow Leaved Germander and Evergreen Hon- eysuckle, in an area that was used as agricultural land in the past. MSV launches its Simple Guide to the MSV With Profits Fund Toyota and Mazda team up to make cars better TOYOTA Motor Corporation and Mazda Motor Corporation recently entered an agreement to build a mutually beneficial long-term partnership. By leveraging the resources of both companies to comple- ment and enhance each other's products and technologies, the partnership will result in more appealing cars that meet the diverse needs and tastes of cus- tomers all over the world. A joint committee will now be set up to evaluate how best to utilize each company's re- spective strengths. The com- mittee will encourage broad and meaningful collaboration across a range of fields, includ- ing environmental and ad- vanced safety technologies. Marking the agreement, Toy- ota President Akio Toyoda said, "As evidenced by their SKYAC- TIV Technologies and KODO – Soul of Motion design, Mazda has proven that it always thinks of what is coming next for vehi- cles and technology, while still managing to stay true to its ba- sic carmaking roots. "In this way, Mazda very much practices what Toyota holds dear: making ever-better cars. I am delighted that our two companies can share the same vision and work together to make cars better. I can think of nothing more wonderful than showing the world – to- gether –that the next 100 years of cars will be just as fun as the first." Representing Mazda, Presi- dent and CEO Masamichi Kogai said, "Toyota is a company that has shown steadfast resolve in acting responsibly on global environmental issues and the future of manufacturing as a whole. I also have tremendous respect for Toyota's dedication in its pursuit of ever-better cars through ongoing innovation. "Furthermore, Mazda identi- fies with the way Toyota cher- ishes its roots and all of the communities it is involved in. It is no wonder they are held in great esteem in return. I hope that by working together to make cars better, we can raise the value of cars in the eyes of consumers while also enhanc- ing the manufacturing capabil- ities of our home, Hiroshima, and all the communities we are involved in as well." Previous collaboration be- tween Toyota and Mazda has included the licensing of Toyota's hybrid technologies to Mazda and the production of compact cars for Toyota at Mazda's plant in Mexico. Toyota and Mazda recognize that there is considerable over- lap between Mazda's corporate philosophy of bringing joy to people through vehicles and Toyota's commitment to mak- ing ever-better cars, as well as its dedication to company-wide structural reforms to realize true competiveness and sus- tainable growth. This latest agreement will go beyond the traditional frame- work of cooperation, aiming instead to create a whole new set of values for cars through wide-ranging medium to long- term collaboration. Understanding Meningococcal Meningitis YOUNG children and adolescents worldwide, in- cluding in Malta, as well as travellers to areas of high infection, are most at risk of contracting meningo- coccal meningitis.1 A serious infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, meningococcal meningitis can develop very quickly and become life threaten- ing within 24-48 hours. The disease may be caused by differ- ent types of meningococcal bac- teria and may be spread through prolonged close contact especial- ly in crowded conditions. In Europe the annual incidence of meningococcal infection is low, ranging from 0.1 to 1.8 cases per 100,000 population. Although not a common disease, meningococ- cal meningitis may strike healthy children without warning. Early symptoms of meningitis can be like other childhood ill- nesses, but a child will usually get ill quickly and get worse fast. Meningococcal meningi- tis progresses very rapidly and may lead to severe and potentially life-threatening consequences. Even with timely and appropriate treat- ment, about 10% of people may die and about 10-20% of survivors have serious irre- versible consequences, such as amputations, hearing loss or brain damage. Dr David Pace, Consultant In- fectious Disease Paediatrician strongly advises that in view of these devastating effects 'preven- tion of meningococcal meningi- tis through vaccination is better than cure'. Gasan Mamo employees gave up a Saturday morning to help Gaia Foundation in a clean-up at Ghajn Tuffieha Toyota president Akio Toyoda shakes hands with Mazda president Masamichi Kogai (right)