A delegation from Alternattiva Demokratika met the leadership of GRTU, led by Vince Farrugia at GRTU's headquarters today. AD's delegation was made up of Chairperson Prof Arnold Cassola and Spokesperson for Social and Economic Development Michael Briguglio. Arnold Cassola expressed AD's views in favour of localisation, which favours local produce and small local sustainable businesses. "Local business tends to be beneficial not only from an economic aspect, but also results in less pollution from transport, and also helps enhance community life, as products and services are easily accessible for residents. At the same time, AD believes that small businesses should maintain good neighbourly relations with local councils and residents." Mr Cassola also explained that AD supports GRTU in its proposals for more initiatives to ... Read more...

There was a strong and positive response both by members of the public and institutional investors to the latest Government Stock issues. By closing dates (5.00pm Wednesday 6th August 2008 and noon Friday 8th August 2008), the Treasury had received 1,245 applications having a total value exceeding Euro 168 million against the authorised sum on issue of Euro 100 million (subject to an over-allotment option for an additional amount of Euro 50 million). Out of these applications/bids, Treasury has accepted a total nominal value of Euro 127,345,900 to be allotted amongst the two stocks on issue as follows: · MGS 5.00% 2021(I) issued at 97.2 - Euro 21,683,000 and · MGS 5.10% 2014 (III) issued at 99.45 - Euro 105,662,900. The Treasury announces that all subscriptions by members of the public, ... Read more...

Outbound Maltese tourists for June are estimated at 23,329, implying a decrease of 24.0 per cent over the same month in 2007. Of these, 88.7 per cent travelled by air. June 2008 - In the month under review, Maltese residents departing by air and sea are estimated at 23,329. Of these, 19,580 travelled to EU destinations, the most popular being Italy and the UK. This decrease may partly be attributed to the abnormal number of visits to Italy on the occasion of the beatification of St. George Preca. January-June 2008 - In the period under review, the number of Maltese passengers departing by air and sea amounted to 125,316, an increase of 6.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year. Of these, 86.0 ... Read more...

The annual Delicata Classic Wine Festival will once again be held in Nadur. This year the event is on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of August. There will be a choice of over twenty wines of Malta and Gozo on the evenings, and their will be a charge of €10.00 for a souvenir glass. The wine for the rest of the evening will then be free, the cost also includes the entrance fee. If entrance only is required then the charge is €2.00. Food stalls with international cusine will be available, along with live entertainment each night. The evening festivities open at 7.00pm. The souvenir glasses will be sold until 11.00pm, the last wine served at 11.30pm and the Festival ... Read more...

Two years have gone by and that can only mean one thing. Voices are back this year with another edition of their popular concerts. Voices 2008: "Tell me Why" was launched at a press conference attended by the Minister of Education and Culture, Dolores Cristina and Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation, which is the main supporter of the event. "I am pleased to say that over the past five years, since its inception, the Vodafone Malta Foundation has supported numerous projects with the aim to remove the barriers that prevent people from participating fully in society. Voices is a biannual national fund raising event, which is very popular with the general ... Read more...

Gozo Action Group (G.A.G) Foundation is a public private partnership established in the territory of the Island of Gozo aimed at contributing to the realisation of the LEADER Project: a new approach for the Maltese Archipelago that can be implemented under the Rural Development Plan 2007 - 2013. In order to become a LEADER area and to be able to develop important projects for the improvement of quality of life, competitiveness and sustainability, such a partnership has to be established at local level. The partnership will then be able to carry out promotional and information activities in the island, communicating to Gozitan society the main elements of this important project - thanks to the funds made available under the Rural Development ... Read more...