Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/598356
Events 49 maltatoday, Sunday, 8 november 2015 Banif joins the fight against breast cancer With the aim of achieving as much awareness on breast cancer as possible, during the month of October Banif Bank organised a number of staff and customer initiatives in collaboration with Europa Donna Malta. The Banif team wore pink ribbons throughout the month, while the Bank 's branches were also decked with pink f lowers, ribbons for clients and Europa Donna's publication 'Be Breast Aware'. This free booklet contains im- portant information on breast cancer and how women can minimise the risks. Female staff, in the higher risk age bracket, were given a free mammogram screening while Pink Friday saw both male and female staff don pink, and donate to Europa Donna Malta. A few Banif ladies donned pink scarves in solidarity with patients receiving chemotherapy Malta Stock Exchange Investor Education Conference a resounding success The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) organised an Investor Education Conference on Saturday 24 October, with the objective of providing edu- cational information for the small investor. The Conference was attended by over 180 people, and was addressed by representatives of the MFSA, as well as members of the stockbroking community who gave their insights on the markets and how investors should manage their investments. Minister for Finance Edward Sci- cluna opened the event outlining the importance of education in this sec- tor, saying that investors need to be offered more education and protec- tion in order to minimise their risks when investing. He also referred to new increased regulations that will ensure capital adequacy and other governance issues that will increase the level of investor protection. Geoffrey Bezzina, Director Con- sumer Complaints Unit within the MFSA outlined examples of the types of issues faced by small in- vestors and the need for them to be better informed and to avoid risky investments if they are unable or unwilling to risk their capital. Jesmond Mizzi, from Jesmond Mizzi Financial Services, outlined the need for investors to create a portfolio, by spreading their in- vestments across difference assets classes, regions and industries in or- der to lower the exposure to any one investment. David Curmi, from Curmi and Partners, outlined how interest rates were structured and the impact that these had on bond prices. The prevailing low interest rates make it challenging for investors to get a better yield, and it was important to assess the risk, as well as the matu- rity, of investments in bonds. Vincent Rizzo, from Rizzo, Farru- gia and Co, also addressed the risk side of investments, focussing on the need for investors to look deeply into the investment proposed before committing, and the importance of reading the prospectus document, since too many investors rely on the confidence in the issuer and the bond's cou- pon rate. G i a v a n n i Cachia, from Bank of Valletta, outlined the proc- ess of investing in funds and stressed on the importance of understanding the fund strategy and objectives be- fore investing. He also outlined dif- ferent fund structures, and the need to monitor the investments on a regular basis and not leave them idle and unmanaged. Eileen Muscat, CEO of the Malta Stock Exchange, expressed her satis- faction at the turnout and content of the conference as well as the active participation from the audience. She pledged that this event would form part of the annual calendar of events organised by the Exchange. The Investor Education Confer- ence was conducted in Maltese, and was supported by Times of Malta, MFSA, Rizzo Farrugia and co, Curmi and Partners, Bank of Val- letta and Jesmond Mizzi Financial Services. Definitive(ly) Good Guide awards survey winners Winners of the Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants 2015 Survey, conducted in September 2015, sponsored by HSBC, were recently presented with fantastic prizes. First prize comprimsed of two nights for two persons at the fab- ulous Trabuxu Boutique Living, Valletta, which went to Michael Gauci. Second prize- a lavish gourmet hamper to the value of €200 from Dical House Fine Foods & Wellbeing - was award- ed to Vickylynne Deguara and the third prize, a €100 voucher for indulgent pampering at My- oka Lotus Spa, went to Peter Zammit for returning their sur- veys with ratings and included the funniest, relevant and most informative comments. As it enters its 16th year, Mal- ta's Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony 2016, considered to be the 'Oscars' of the local res- taurant industry, will be held at the InterContinental Arena Conference Centre on Tuesday 8 December. At the ceremony the new edi- tion of the Guide will also be launched featuring the results of the 2015 Restaurant Survey. The book is created from the votes of the survey of 1,973 people dining out on average of twice weekly to an equivalent of 205,192 dining experiences in a year. Each year the awards and the Guide provide an annual rec- ognised and respected reference point for Malta's best restau- rants. Additional awards will be pre- sented for the following catego- ries including the top rated Best Food Award sponsored by Mc Cain represented by Alf Mizzi & Sons (Marketing) Ltd , Best Serv- ice Award sponsored by Lurpak represented by Applecore Foods, best Ambience award, best for Maltese food, best for Business Entertainment, Most Romantic, Best Value for Money, restaurant offering the best Vegetarian Op- tions sponsored by Good Earth Distributors Ltd, Best Restaurant Restroom/Cloakroom, restaurant for Lively Atmosphere sponsored by Route 66 Limousine Services, 'Children Friendly' restaurant award sponsored by The Malta Baby & Kids Directory, Best Newcomer sponsored by Mibra- sa Coal Ovens, Most Mentioned Restaurant sponsored by placea- booking.com, Chef of the Year Award sponsored by The Cater- ing Centre and the Colin Best award for the Most Consistently Outstanding Restaurant. There will also be a number of wine awards, this year kindly sponsored by Riedel, the wine glass company. The results will be published online at www.restaurantsmalta. com as soon as they have been announced to the assembled res- taurant owners and managers at the Restaurant ceremony on the 8 December. L to R - Crysta Darmanin (The Definitive(ly) Good Guide), Michael Gauci and Silvia Bettini (Trabuxu Boutique Living) presenting voucher to 1st prize winner ADVICE for a better life The recently established Asso- ciation to Assist Visually Impaired Persons has teamed-up with the Foundation of IT Accessibility (FITA) to create the Assistive De- vices for the Visually Impaired Cen- tre (ADVICE). Manned by FITA experts and trained volunteers, the Centre will be the convergence point for visually impaired peo- ple. This was announced during a press conference held yesterday at the FITA premises. The ADVICE president, Joseph Cauchi introduced the association by outlining its aims and objectives in the context of the current situa- tion in Malta and the need for ac- tion. "Ultimately we need to have a National Institute for the Blind and partially sighted to provide com- prehensive, effective and efficient services that a modern society can afford and should be providing. There is both a need and an oppor- tunity to create an Institute on a template of these well-established national organisations in other countries." Ophthalmic Surgeon Francis Carbonaro is also throwing his weight behind this excellent ini- tiative. "Affecting more than sight, visual impairment is a multi-fac- eted disability; reducing an indi- vidual's autonomy to a state of de- pendency; it is exactly this kind of initiative which will support these people in a way that allows them to continue to be self-sufficient and independent." Visual impairment, while direct- ly affecting one-in-thirty members of the community, is an affliction that ripples out to almost every- body—family, relatives and friends. Presently a partially sighted person will have to rummage through cat- alogues or search the Internet to find assistive devices, lacking the ability to handle the devices them- selves, and the option to try them out before buying. These assistive devices are costly, and not easy to use without proper guidance. The Centre will display a range of assis- tive items, with FITA experts and volunteers on-the-ground provid- ing demonstrations and advice to clients, who will then be able to purchase the devices. By partnering with existing agen- cies already providing care for the visually impaired community, the eventual goal of the association is to evolve in conjunction with the existing relevant entities into an umbrella organisation - the Malta National Institute of the Blind and Visually Impaired Persons. Malta has to only look at the success of other countries with established national organisations. Providing assistance, access to information, and advocacy will give the visu- ally impaired added functionality, and the ability to live independent and productive lives. The Centre is the first step in achieving this goal. The estimated fund to initiate and run the Centre is approximately €50,000. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca endorses the goals of the association. Contributions to ADVICE may be made by calling the following telephone numbers: 5160 2050 - €5; 5170 2051 – €10; 5180 2052 - €15; 5190 2053 - €25 or by SMS 5061 9287 - €11.65 Bank transfers can be made to the following bank account: Bank of Valletta, Manwel Dimech Street, Balluta, Sliema SLM 1051 Account Name: A.D.V.I.C.E Account No: 40023243273 Bank's BIC (Swift) VALLMTMT IBAN: MT04VALL220130000000 40023243273 Alternatively cheques made out to ADVICE can be sent to AD- VICE, 70, Triq Ghaxqet il-Ghajn, Marsaskala MSK 1405