Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/747633
7 JURGEN BALZAN COMPETITIVENESS minister Manuel Mallia has engaged en- trepreneur Mark Grima as com- munications coordinator, the nightclub owner confirmed. The veteran Paceville entrepre- neur, whose business interests have included Ministry of Time, Fuego, Raffles Discotheque and The Alley is now the minister's full time PR man. In 2012, Mallia addressed a press conference as legal repre- sentative of the Paceville Com- mercial Establishments Asso- ciation, of which Grima is still listed as its president. Now the two have teamed up again, with Grima earning at least €26,000 a year to go by the regular salaries accorded to min- isterial spokespersons. Speaking to MaltaToday, the entrepreneur – listed as Mark William Grima on the ministry's website – confirmed that he has been working at the ministry for two months. However when asked further questions, including whether he is still involved in the entertain- ment industry, Grima retorted "are you running a story on this?" to which he added: "in that case, then I have no comment to give." On various social media sites, Grima lists himself as owner and director of Fuego Casa Latina, Pizza Factory, The Hot Sausage Company, and Good Bites Fresh Beef Premium Burgers. Grima – son of former Labour minister Joe Grima – was also a director and journalist at the ra- dio station owned by his father, Radio One Live. Over the years, Grima and his companies have faced a number of legal proceedings, including a number of claims for unpaid debts running into tens of thou- sands of euros by various com- panies and the VAT department, according to credit records from 2014. Manuel Mallia – reinstated in the Cabinet of ministers ear- lier this year after being fired in 2014 – had previously employed entrepreneur Silvio Scerri as his chief of staff when still home af- fairs minister. Now responsible for gaming and the maritime industry, Mal- lia was dismissed after an in- quiry was held into a shooting incident involving his security driver, Paul Sheehan. His staff of the time – 19 employees – were moved to other government posts, with Scerri taking up so- journ in the private secretariat of home affairs minister Car- melo Abela, with duties in Gozo. Scerri appears to have divested himself of any directorial re- sponsibility or shareholding in Nexos, the lighting company which he was formerly associat- ed with. He was not reappointed on Mallia's staff since his reap- pointment to the competitive- ness ministry in the Cabinet re- shuffle that was provoked by the Panama Papers. Scerri has now taken up a lu- crative post at Transport Malta, chief of security, one that had formerly paid his predecessor, Ernest Tonna – a canvasser of former minister Austin Gatt – over €50,000 according to PQs. jbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2016 News €65,000,000 3.75% Unsecured Bonds 2026 Premier Capital p.l.c. (the "Company") is oering to the public €65 million Unsecured Bonds due 2026 at the rate of 3.75% of a nominal value of €100 per Bond at par. For more information one should refer to the Prospectus dated 21 October 2016, copies of which, together with application forms are available during o†ce hours from Authorised Financial Intermediaries listed on the Company's website. Applications for the Bonds may be made for a minimum of €2,000. Subscriptions open on Monday 14 November 2016 and close on Wednesday 16 November 2016, or earlier if fully subscribed. Application has been made for the Bonds to be listed on the O†cial List of the Malta Stock Exchange. The value of investments can rise or fall and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Prospective investors are urged to consult an independent Authorised Financial Intermediary for advice prior to investing in the Bonds. Premier Capital p.l.c. Nineteen Twenty Three, Valletta Road, Marsa MRS 3000, Malta. T 00356 2568 1888 E info@premiercapital.com.mt www.premiercapital.com.mt Sponsor Manager & Registrar Premier Capital p.l.c. is a division of Hili Ventures Ltd. Club owner Mark Grima moves from 'Ministry of Time' to Mallia's ministry Paceville owner whose lobby was fronted by Manuel Mallia, is now the communications coordinator for the minister of competitiveness Owner and director of Fuego Casa Latina, Pizza Factory, The Hot Sausage Company, Good Bites Fresh Beef Premium Burgers Mark Grima (left) is now communications coordinator for Manuel Mallia (right)