Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/887355
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2017 Events 46 PKF Malta expands business horizons in China Consonant to a continuing trend to attract FDI particularly from Asia and showcase the services that the Maltese Islands can offer to the in- ternational business community, PKF recruited Yolanda Dong, a qual- ified business executive who will be responsible for the China desk. Pursuant to this drive more initia- tives are planned to follow this year as part of a policy to open new busi- ness opportunities particularly in the IIP & MRVP sector. Efforts are also in hand to attract interest in the recent announcement about the re- quest for EU approval to open oil & gas exploration bids in an offshore concession in the lucrative Area 3 north of the island. Dong already represented PKF Malta during the business meeting held earlier this month by PKF In- ternational at the Beijing Shangri-La Hotel, China entitled "One Belt One Road". During this meeting, which attracted over 200 delegates, Ms Dong showcased seven core pillars of investment opportunities in Mal- ta which were warmly received by the delegates. These sectors include luxury property development, avia- tion, Oil and Gas, Innovation, Ac- tuarial & Financing, UCITS funds, Captive Insurance and Blockchain technology amongst other topics. Following the business meeting hosted in Beijing a delegation of investors from China travelled to Malta to meet various local busi- ness partners. These included Fi- nanceMalta, Malta Enterprise, Real Estate Agents in Malta and Gozo, banks, private hospitals and various heads of faculties at the University of Malta. Finally, a productive meeting was held with the appointed head of Asian investment, Ms Jennifer Shen May at MaltaEnterprise who shortly be moving Shanghai to further ce- ment harmonious business rela- tions. Malta Employment Lawyers Association set up LEGAL practitioners in the field of employment law came together this month to form a new asso- ciation – the Malta Employment Lawyers Association, with the main aim of presenting a unified voice in lobbying with the gov- ernment and other competent authorities when it comes to the implementation and the applica- tion of employment legislation and regulations. The association was formed on 9 October by nine founding mem- bers: Dr Andrew Borg Cardona; Dr Christine Calleja; Dr Char- lotte Camilleri; Dr Lorna Mifsud Cachia; Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey; Dr Karl Briffa; Dr Lara Pace; Dr Mat- thew Brincat; and Dr Paul Gonzi. The first officers of the Asso- ciation were appointed during its first meeting: Dr Matthew Brin- cat (Chairperson); Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey (Deputy Chairperson); Dr Paul Gonzi (Secretary General) and Dr Christine Calleja (Public Relations Officer). M.E.L.A. will bring together the interests of practising lawyers in this field of law, and will provide a much-required input to proposed legislation and will also propose amendments to existing regula- tions, strictly from a legal per- spective. Membership of M.E.L.A. is open to all lawyers practising in the area of employment law to a substantial extent. Eight years of YouthReach The Pianist IT all started with just a dream of a small group of people, to have a socio-spiritual youth group within the village of Attard. Soon it evolved into reality, as a group of youths started meeting weekly from 1 October 2009, and that is how YouthReach was born after a few weeks. From then onwards they never looked back, and to- gether they created a niche where youths could meet, share opin- ions and make new friendships. Youth is indeed a time of dis- covery, of change and of choices which will have an impact on the future, both on a personal and social level. It is for this reason that this time is precious, indeed a lifetime treasure. The aim of the group was to create a youth community where youths are encouraged to unlock their treasure and share their ex- periences in search of oneself in the light of relationships with self, others and God. The word spread. Fourteen peo- ple soon became more and more. While it is not about numbers, it was indeed encouraging to see that the group met the expecta- tions of so many youths, not only from Attard but from all around the island. The beauty of the group still lies in the variety of youths who at- tend. From students, to full time workers, from those living hun- dred metres away from the youth centre to those coming from miles away, from sport lovers to couch potatoes. What brings them to- gether however, is their love for the group and one another. Over the years, the group has organised a variety of meetings: current affairs and ethical dis- cussions, voluntary work both lo- cally and abroad, indoor and out- door games, retreats and live-ins, amongst others. It somehow met and continues to meet the youths' cravings to be involved in such ac- tivities. As part of the eighth anniver- sary celebrations, YouthReach has launched a new website (www. youthreachmalta.org) that show- cases the group's activities and shares some interesting articles and information about the group. YouthReach has become an in- tegral part of its members' lives. Together they have created a sec- ond family, which provides them with a break from their busy schedules. Like other groups, YouthReach have had downfalls. Yet they always look ahead andis abide by their motto: Be True. Be You. Pursue. Business meeting held earlier this month by PKF International at the Beijing Shangri-La Hotel, China entitled "One Belt One Road". AT the peak of high society entertainment sits The Pia- nist's pianist. Impeccable in every respect, he glides gra- ciously through life, never placing a foot out of step. He is, in a word: perfection. Or at least ... that's what he thinks. The show is centred on, in, under, and around one of the most magnificent of all mu- sical instruments, the grand piano. Accompanying this el- egant apparatus is the poised pianist himself. Only he is so focused on impressing eve- ryone that, before he realizes it, his show has transformed from the highbrow concert he hoped for into the spec- tacularly amusing catastro- phe that is 'The Pianist'. To salvage his somewhat unsalvageable dignity the pianist draws on his imagi- nation and comes up with some rib-tickling and absurd results. 'The Pianist' mixes classical clowning with con- temporary circus to produce a charming piece of comedy about the lure of luxury. This show is targeted to- wards children aged 8 and over, and is scheduled for Friday 17 and Sunday 19 November. Both shows start at 5.00pm, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. From top right: Dr Matthew Brincat; Dr Ian Spiteri Bailey; Dr Andrew Borg Cardona; Dr Charlotte Camilleri; Dr Lara Agius; Dr Lorna Mifsud Cachia; Dr Christine Calleja; Dr Paul Gonzi; Dr Karl Briffa. YouthReach members at one of their meetings