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€78 million euro offer set to transform Evans Building into quality tourist accommodation
Valletta Luxury Projects has been suggested for the Evans Building site design award, proposing an initial annual payment of €1.2 million, potentially increasing to €78 million. The Malta Strategic Partnership Projects (MSPP) has completed the assessment of private sector submissions for the redevelopment of the Evans Building sites in Valletta and the Chalet in Sliema. Among the evaluated offers for the Evans Building, Valletta Luxury Projects’ bid of €1.2 million annually, rising to €78 million, is
recommended for the 65-year concession award. (Times of Malta)
Labour MEP pushes for the ‘right to disconnect’
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has called on the European Union to promptly implement the right to disconnect, emphasising that after-hours communication is negatively impacting the quality of life for workers. Agius Saliba organised a conference at the European Parliament, in collaboration with the Social Democratic Group, to address this issue. The event included participation from trade union representatives and EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit. The MEP highlighted the increasing trend of employees receiving work-related messages outside of regular office hours, leading to unpaid overtime,
heightened stress, and a diminished quality of life. Agius Saliba emphasised the importance of granting employees the ability to decline immediate responses without fearing job loss.
More than 400 shops participating in price stability deal
The government has released a list of over 400 stores in a price stability agreement covering 15 essential food categories, encompassing approximately 450 products. The categories include spaghetti, corned beef, tuna in vegetable oil,
fresh and frozen pork chops, chicken legs, tea, and instant coffee. All brands within these categories
are subject to the price stability deal, ensuring a minimum 15% reduction from the recommended
retail prices (RRP) set by importers and producers as of October 31, 2023. This reduction becomes
effective on February 1, following a snapshot of the market taken by the Economy Ministry.
Morning Briefing
Judge orders publication of details on Walliams visit
A judicial ruling has mandated the Malta Film Commission to disclose the payment made to British comedian and author David Walliams for his role in hosting the Malta Film Awards in January 2022. This decision reaffirms previous rulings by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner as well as the Data Protection Tribunal. The event, which garnered significant publicity through billboards nationwide and online promotions, was hosted as an elaborate black-tie affair. While industry insiders speculated that the event exceeded its €400,000 budget, with some estimating costs to surpass €1.3 million, the specifics of public fund expenditure remained undisclosed, despite freedom of information requests submitted. (Times of Malta)
Judge in Steward case sticks to recusal decision, condemns State Advocate’s tone
A judge expressed disappointment at what he labeled as the “intimidating tone” employed by the State Advocate and the government following his decision to recuse himself. On Wednesday, Judge Giovanni Grixti affirmed his choice to step back from presiding over a case initiated by Opposition leader Bernard Grech and MP Adrian Delia. The Opposition MPs seek a court order directing the State Advocate to take action for the recovery of public funds disbursed to Steward Healthcare under the now-revoked hospitals contract. Since its initiation last December, this case has been entangled in legal disputes between the involved parties. The government subsequently sought to join the case as an interested party, and the judge was expected to deliver a ruling on this request earlier this month. (Maltatoday)
€15m for purchase of EVs launched
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonnet announced a financial grant of €15 million for the acquisition of new electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative, part of the 2024 budget measures, is designed to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, including motorcycles and new pedelecs, among individuals, voluntary organizations, and enterprises, as highlighted during a press conference. Malta has been utilizing the €50.3 million funds obtained from the EU under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) to address challenges related to increased energy consumption and waste generation resulting from rapid population, employment, and GDP growth. Originally allocated for the period between 2022 and 2024, Transport Malta collaborated with the EU to extend the fund availability until the close of 2025, ensuring the continuity of financial incentives through EU RRP funds in 2025. (The Malta Independent)
