Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/604914
46 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2015 46 GlobalCapital reports a positive performance GlobalCapital p.l.c. has an- nounced that for the period January to September 2015, the company has continued its positive performance. In a company announce- ment issued on the Malta Stock Exchange, the Directors of GlobalCapital p.l.c. released an interim statement for the period until 30 September 2015. The company explained that the aggressive transformation strategy aimed at generating rev- enue growth, reducing operational costs and ensuring long-term fi- nancial stability continues to gener- ate the desired results for the Group and this success has allowed the positive performance to continue throughout the reporting period. The Company's life insurance subsidiary, GlobalCapital Life In- surance Limited, has registered further growth during the first nine months of 2015 when compared to the business registered during the same reporting period in 2014. The health insurance agency's re- sults remained in positive territory with both revenues and costs in line with the previous year. A decrease in fees registered by the Group's in- vestment company was more than offset by the reduction in the company's cost base. In line with the Group's property divestment strat- egy, further action has been taken over the last months to continue the divestment process of the Group's lo- cal property portfolio. The Board of Directors said that in due course, the divest- ment process will further reduce the overall property exposure to bring it in line with its expectations. Further to the resolutions ap- proved at the General Meeting held on 16 September 2015, the Direc- tors have reported their intention to give effect to the shareholders' reso- lution to increase the Company's is- sued share capital during the early course of 2016. The directors have also made ref- erence to a previous announcement issued on 16th September 2015 where it was announced that EIP p.l.c. is still intent to support the Company in any capital increases, which the Company intends to make. EIP p.l.c. has since concluded a transaction to purchase the en- tire share allocation of Aberdeen, amounting to 8.93% shareholding in GlobalCapital p.l.c. The Directors further reported that since the publication of its un- audited interim financial report for the period January - 30 June 2015, no material events or transactions have taken place that would have an impact on the financial position of the Company, such that would re- quire specific mention, disclosure or announcement pursuant to the applicable Listing Rules. Profit trend sustained through the first nine months of 2015 Earlier this year, GlobalCapital p.l.c. reported that a positive trend that started for the Company in the second half of 2014 has been sustained throughout the first six months of 2015 as the Group's op- erations remained in positive terri- tory for two consecutive reporting periods covering twelve months. This positive trend has also con- tinued to generate more revenue throughout the third quarter of 2015 until 30 September 2015. The Company's interim report for the first six months of 2015 had announced a profit before taxation of €1,176,197 compared to a loss of €966,897 for the same period in 2014. The Group had also an- nounced a profit after taxation of €222,671 for the financial year end- ing in 2014, marking the Group's re- turn to profit territory for the first time in the last seven years. The 7th Edition of MiGS, the Inter- national iGaming seminar held at The Corinthia Hotel in St Julian's, was inaugurated by minister for the economy Chris Cardona. The event came to an end on Thursday, 19 November. In his opening address, Cardona welcomed attendees and recog- nized the significance and contri- bution that the iGaming industry has to the Maltese economy. He outlined the strong commitment the Government, hand-in-hand with the MGA, has to making this sector flourish even further. With economic growth predicted to reach new heights, just about out- stripping every other country in the European Union, and the defi- cit is projected to fall even further, to just over 1%, the economic cli- mate for the country for all indus- tries, in particular online gaming, has never been better. Cardona outlined how the MGA is working hard on reviewing all of Malta's gaming regulatory frame- work and implementation mecha- nisms, with the aim of having one single framework delivering con- sistency, and results on empirically based research. In addition, the MGA is working on the prevention of money laun- dering, with the aim of facilitating the adoption of the 4th Anti-Mon- ey Laundering Directive, which has reached political agreement at EU level and which will soon come into effect. Sue Schneider, Partner of MiGS and one of the world's renowned experts in the field of iGaming, delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of the MiGS partners. She gave a brief overview of the pro- gramme and what the delegates should expect over the next three days. Schneider said, "MiGS is a place where igaming executives and management personnel come together to discuss issues related to the industry with a remarkable line-up of speakers while partici- pating in a number of networking events. MiGS partners are proud of their efforts and that MiGS15 will most definitely live up to expecta- tions of all participants." Joseph Cuschieri, the Executive Chairman of the Malta Gaming Authority, addressed the delegates with a powerful presentation showing how the authorities pro- gressed in the last year, their re- cent achievements, the challenges to come and the vision for 2015 and beyond. The first sessions included a com- prehensive presentation by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants entitled iGaming: Past, Present and Future, which highlighted how the igaming industry is shaping up against the land based businesses through their GBGC's igaming in- dex and the GBGC 50 index, two indices that have become a bench- mark for the industry. This was followed by a pres- entation by PKF Malta entitled, "Malta - Sustaining itself as an international jurisdiction". Other sessions include presentations en- titled, "The Increasing Cost of Do- ing Business" and "Cross Border Liquidity: Pipe Dream or Reality". One of the highlights of the day was a session entitled "A Century of iGaming". Moderated by Sue Schneider, the session included five iGaming Veterans: Pontus Lindwell, CEO of Betsson AB, Par- is Smith, CEO of Pinnacle Gam- ing, Dr. Franz Wohlfahrt, retired CEO of Novamtic, Mark Bland- ford, Founder of SportingBet PLC and Calvin Ayre, the Founder of BoDog Entertainment. The veterans brought their unique perspective from the les- sons they learnt over the years and offered their insight into potential solutions to current industry strug- gles as well as predicted where the future successes may be realised. MiGS, in its 7th year, targets C- level management of the iGaming Industry and was named as a top ten igaming conference to go to in 2014. For more information visit www.maltaigamingseminar.com Record 450 delegates at MiGS15 The management of db Hotels + Resorts will be launching its festive season on Wednesday 9 December 2015 at 20:00hrs with a Christmas Buffet All-Inclusive Dinner in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. Her Excellency Marie-Louise Co- leiro Preca, The President of Malta, in attendance will be welcomed with Christmas tunes and carol singing together with all guests for the lighting of the Christmas tree prior to dinner to start the festive season at db Hotels + Re- sorts. All proceeds will be do- nated to the Malta Com- munity Chest Fund to help them continue their mission in supporting the Maltese community in need. Christmas Buffet All-In- clusive Dinner is €25 per adult and €12.50 for children 6-12 years. For further information and book- ing, call our events team on 2350 3750 or email events@dbhoteslre- sorts.com Have a Spa-cial Christmas: Carisma Spa and Wellness hosts Open Week The Christmas season is just around the corner and Carisma Spa and Wellness, the renowned World Luxury Spa nominee, knows that this is the season for giving, and looking and feeling great. The prestigious spa is having an open week between from Novem- ber 23 to 29. Depending on de- mand, the offer may be extended. Call for an appointment to claim your gift, which comes in the form of a mini treatment of your choice, as well as the ability to use the spa's facilities – from the only au- thentic Turkish hammam, to the heated indoor pool, steam bath, sauna, relaxation area and three hours of parking - all for free. Looking good works hand-in- hand with feeling good, that age- old link between inner and outer beauty. World Luxury Spa nomi- nee Carisma Spa and Wellness has that reputation of linking both in- ner and outer beauty, enforced by relaxation techniques. Radiant, glowing skin through personalised facials for that flaw- less complexion, groomed or glamorous nails, eyebrow shaping through threading, a hairless body, shaping up massages and detox baths can all be found within Car- isma's treatment programmes. Carisma therapists are trained not only to give a professional treatment but also to consult the client on their needs to ensure they are looked after the way their body and soul need to, all within a pampering environment of luxury and facilities for enriching experi- ences. Carisma's flagship treatment is the hammam, which symbolises the art of bathing and plays a sig- nificant role for its health benefits, which have been recognised and practised since the days of ancient Rome. The hammam at Carisma Spa and Wellness takes bathing to a whole new class, providing the individual with an uplifting, inti- mate and relaxing environment. A few hours of relaxation and mental and physical cleansing may even come as the perfect present for a loved one. Vouch- ers for Christmas presents for all kinds of treatments are available at various prices, for men and women of all ages. For more in- formation, visit the Carisma Spa and Wellness website at www.car- ismaspa.com or visit the Facebook Page Carisma Spa. The free treatments during Open Week at the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julian's are by appointment only. To book your slot, call 2376 5524 or 9990 0995, or send an email at info@carismaspa.com. Charity at the house of db Hotels + Resorts Minister Chris Cardona (centre) at the MiGS seminar Treatments offer by Carisma Spa and Wellness