Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/550022
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 2 AUGUST 2015 8 News MCST/Q10/2015 Call for Quotations: Provision of ser vices for the production of two shor t videos for the IMaGenX Project The Malta Council for Science and Technology is requesting quotations for the commissioning of a creative production agency/freelancer with video production capacity to work with project sta to design and produce two short educational videos. The videos are part of an educational and awareness raising initiative about breast cancer to contribute to the scope of the IMaGenX project. Interested bidders are to submit a proposal clearly marked "Quotation for the provision of services for the production of two short videos for the IMaGenX Project (MCST/Q10/2015)". Sealed quotations, made on the prescribed forms together with the relative conditions and other documents can be downloaded from the Council's website (www.mcst.gov.mt/news.aspx) are to be deposited in the tender box located at the Malta Council for Science and Technology, Villa Bighi, Kalkara by not later than 10.00 a.m. (CET) of Friday, 7th August, 2015. Late submissions will not be considered. The Malta Council For Science And Technology, Villa Bighi, Kalkara KKR 1320, Malta www.mcst.gov.mt Italian companies challenge suspension of licences CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The vo- luminous dossier points out that Gonzi was "located at the sum- mit of the pyramid structure of the multinational companies of the area operating in the territo- ry and with a Maltese licence... Pending further necessary in- vestigation, it would be plausi- ble to situate the subject right at the centre of an international criminal business triangulation network." However Gonzi denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the dossier was factually incor- rect since it failed to recognise that GVM was a licensed fiduci- ary company. He also admitted that since 2014 he provided legal services to one of the companies in- volved, Betsolution4u Ltd. "GVM has terminated all contracts with the companies involved," Gonzi said, adding that he has also terminated the agreement he had with Betsolu- tion4u Ltd. "I provided legal services to Betsolution4u Ltd on a fixed ar- rangement in which I was paid at the normal hourly rate," he said, without revealing how much the rate is. Companies challenge MGA suspension Three Italian companies which have had their licences suspend- ed by the Malta Gaming Author- ity (MGA) are challenging the decision taken by the regulator. Following the crackdown by Italian police, the authority has suspended the licences of Uniq Group Limited (Betuniq), Bet- solution4U Ltd, Soft Casino Limited, FenPlay and Softbet. However, three of the compa- nies – Uniq Group Limited (Be- tuniq), Betsolution4U Ltd and FenPlay – are challenging the decision and are holding MGA liable for any damage the com- panies will suffer as a conse- quence of the suspension. FenPlay is represented by PN deputy leader Mario de Marco and Giannella de Marco, Uniq Group Limited is represented by Ian Refalo and Joe Giglio while Betsolution4U Ltd is rep- resented by Roberto Montalto. The lawyers of the three com- panies are arguing that since the Italian gaming authority has not suspended the compa- nies' licences there is no reason why the Malta gaming Author- ity should take such action. Fewer than half of NGOs submitting valid annual returns Laws in pipeline to regulate public fundraising and charity shops, and render enrolment with NGO Commissioner mandatory for all NGOs TIM DIACONO ONLY 364 registered voluntary organisations submitted valid an- nual returns to the NGO Commis- sioner during 2013, 47% of the total number that had to be submitted by law. A law passed in 2012 renders NGOs legally bound to submit their returns, including their financial accounts, to the NGO Commis- sioner on an annual basis. Yet in his 2014 annual report, NGO Com- missioner Kenneth Wain admitted that several NGOs are constantly late in filing their documents, do not submit all the required infor- mation, or do not submit their re- turns at all. "[Some] voluntary organisations are finding it difficult to adopt this legislation as part of their ethical duties and organisational culture," Wain wrote. "It seems that enrol- ment for most voluntary organisa- tions is associated with the acqui- sition of funds and this practice needs to be changed as soon as possible." Legal amendments are in the pipeline that will allow the Com- missioner to take direct court ac- tion against non-compliant NGOs without having to first seek the per- mission of the Administrative Re- view Tribunal, a process that Wain has described as "cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive". Wain had pledged to "come down hard" on all non-compliant NGOs as soon as the law is enacted. The new law will notably also render enrolment with the Com- missioner mandatory for all vol- untary organisations that qualify as such, hence addressing Wain's long-standing transparency con- cern that church organisations aren't registered with his office. Two other legal notices, set to be published later this year, will regu- late charity shops and the public collection of money by voluntary organisations. "[These laws] are expected to ensure that the machinery for a serious and operational regulatory framework for voluntary organi- sations operating in Malta are in place," Wain wrote. "The ultimate object of such regulation is, of course, manifold – to ensure that the organisations are held responsi- ble to the general public which sus- tains them with its taxes and dona- tions, to ensure their accountability to their own members by ensuring that they operate according to the own charters and statuses, and to ensure for them the growth and credibility that comes from serious administration." tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt Photographer's daughter appeals for funds to bring late father home MIRIAM DALLI THE daughter of DOI photogra- pher Martin Attard has turned to the public to help raise sufficient money to bring her late father back home. Desiree Attard posted the fund raising request on fundrazr.com in a bid to raise €4,000 and thus cover the cost to bring Martin's body from Croatia to Malta. Martin, a long-serving photog- rapher with the Department of Information, was on holiday when he suffered a heart attack and passed away on 23 July. "My dad lived for his art, and had no savings to cover this cost. I am asking for help to raise this money just to bring him home," his daughter said. A spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that the government will be help- ing the Attard family to facilitate Martin's return home. As a DOI official, Martin was one of the official government photographers. Encouragingly, people were quick to respond and by 8pm on Saturday, over €2,500 had been raised. DOI photographer Martin Attard, died of a heart attack