LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltese farmers took to the streets of Malta in a second national protest in two weeks against the Maltese government and the EU rules. The protest organized by the Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi, along with others representing various sectors within the local food industry, ended in Valletta where local farmers voiced their worries and fears regarding overregulation and its detrimental effects on Maltàs agriculture sector. Before reaching Valletta, farmers onboard tractors and other farming vehicles stopped at the offices of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority. They fixed signs reading “we are here to safeguard their food” and “no farmers, no food, no future” to the main door. Farmers say the authority should check on products coming from foreign, and especially non-EU, countries. The farmers met with Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo, who showed solidarity with the farmers. Shadow Agriculture Minister Toni Bezzina also said that the Opposition backed the farmers, saying “it does not make sense to put Malta in the same categories as other countries, with much larger resources and land than ours”. The Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi presented several proposals to the Maltese government aimed at mitigating the adverse impact of these policies. Farmers’ lobby president Malcolm Borg said that should the government implement the proposals, food producers would be able to withstand the impact of the new EU rules. Farmers urged Maltese politicians, when voting at the European level, to engage with groups of farmers to speak coherently about the challenges they face. They also accused the Maltese government that had voted against their interests so they had to come out and protest. Farmers and herdsmen are also upset with EU trade deals that remove or reduce barriers for non-EU agricultural products. They are also against state aid rules that limit government support, and EU rules that reward farmers for leaving fields fallow – a technique to allow land to recover – saying this was an incentive to landowners to keep land unproductive. Farmers also say European legislation intended to make farming more environmentally friendly is being introduced too quickly and without the necessary support. Another argument is that compliance to EU regulations is increasing and reduce the productivity, while facing influx of less-regulated non-EU products into European markets.
(ITALPRESS).
– Photo credit: Agenzia Fotogramma –

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Maltàs gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 4.4% in 2024. This is the forecast by Maltàs Central Bank in its latest report on the Maltese economy, adding that this is based on the private consumption and net exports registered lately.
The domestic demand is expected to be the main driver of growth in 2024. Private consumption growth continues at a brisk pace and private investment, is expected to recover slowly. Net exports are also projected to contribute positively, driven mainly by services exports. However, economic growth is expected to slow down to 3.6% in 2025, and to 3.3% by 2026. Growth in 2025 and 2026 is expected to be led by domestic demand.
Wages are expected to pick-up in 2024, in view of the high inflation in the recent past, and a tight labour market.
Annual inflation based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is projected to ease from 5.6% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024, before reaching 1.9% by 2026.
The general government debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to increase, and to reach 54.3% by 2026.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to shipping around the Suez Canal could could affect negatively the economic activity and trade causing longer waiting times, and possible higher costs.
– photo Agenzia Fotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ATHENS (GREECE) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Italgas Group has presented the new identity of its Greek companies, and from today the holding company has changed to ‘Enaon’ while the operating company’s new name is ‘Enaon Edà.

The name and brand of the now former Depa Infrastructure were unveiled at the Politia Business Center in Athens, where the new offices of the company acquired by Italgas in September 2022 are located.

“Today, with the launch of Enaon, we inaugurate a new chapter of our path. The launch of the new corporate image takes place at a time in which we have already successfully achieved important objectives that will make us work better and with greater efficiency,” said the CEO of Italgas, Paolo Gallo, who announced publicly the new name and the new brand in the presence of Theodoros Skylakakis, Minsiter for the Environment and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, Minister for Development and the Italian Ambassador to Greece Paolo Cuculi. The name Enaon draws inspiration from the Greek word Aenaos, which translates into “perennial” and “renewable” and which, associated with the world of energy, aims to represent a lasting offer, capable of satisfying current needs and the well-being of future generations.

The Minister of Environment and Energy Theodoros Skylakakis was also enthusiastic about the new development, reiterating the importance of natural gas in the present and future market: “The objective is to bring the assets of this sector into the future. We need natural gas because we have large infrastructures in Europe and we need to use them together with electricity, so as to have a more efficient energy system. For us it is important to be a partner of important Italian companies and to be able to build these infrastructures for the future with them.” Some of the objectives achieved by the Italgas Group since the acquisition of Enaon include the integration into the group, the reorganization of the company and the implementation of important interventions for the digital extension and transformation of the networks in Greece. A few hours before the announcement of the company’s new identity, these issues were discussed by the president of Italgas, Benedetta Navarra, the CEO of Enaon Eda, Barbara Morgante, the CEO of Enaon Eda, Francesca Zanninotti and the CEO of Italgas, Paolo Gallo.

“Eighteen months after the closing, perhaps a little less, the path taken has been effective and above all faster than expected with the acquisition plan,” said Gallo, adding “Through investments, 25 territories have been connected covering a total of 800 kilometers of networks. In 2023 we recorded a 78% increase in investments compared to those of 2021 and we will do even better in 2024. We have reorganized the operating companies into a single DSO with important expected benefits in terms of greater efficiency, operational effectiveness and knowledge sharing. We are therefore very satisfied with the investment made in Greece.” The Group has already achieved some of the milestones expected at the time of closing and set in the Strategic Plan to 2029, with a 900 million euro investment programme. Among the main infrastructure projects carried out in the country, the entry into operation of the new city network of Kavala, the transformation from oil-derived products to natural gas networks in Thessalia and Attica and the installation of the first cryogenic LNG deposits in Florina and Kastoria, built according to the know-how developed in Italy for the methanization of Sardinia. “In 2024 we planned to extend the network and activate 13 new cities,” revealed the CEO of Enaon Eda, Francesca Zanninotti, adding “We will bring the experience gained by Italgas in Sardinia to these territories. In terms of growth, last year we activated 25,000 new customers and the plan for this year is to activate 38,000 thanks to the expansion into new areas”.

– Photo Italgas press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BRUXELLES (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Oped by Antonello Ciotti, president, Petcore Europe
Few people could have predicted the series of events that unfolded during the 2019-2024 European Parliament mandate – from Brexit and Covid 19 through to wars on our doorstep and blockades of our trade routes. The fast-evolving global landscape not only reminds us of our vulnerability, but also underlines the importance of retaining key manufacturing industries within the EU27 and upholding European competitiveness.
Against a background of continued economic and political uncertainty it is vital that the incoming European Parliament defends and supports European manufacturing. We must not lose the ability to produce critical materials within our own borders or threaten the very existence of key industrial sectors by weighing down domestic producers with disproportionate regulatory burdens or failing to protect them against unfair practices and competition. Europès economy needs a strong primary manufacturing base.
Take the PET industry. PET is used to make bottles and trays and the sector has been subject to a raft of EU legislation in recent years – including the very specific requirements of the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). No other material has received such stringent and specific targets.
It is largely thanks to these pieces of legislation that the PET value chain is already way ahead of the field and well on its way to meeting its targets of segregated collection, 90% collection by 2029 and minimum 30% recycled content by 2030. Moreover, we are proving that these targets can be achieved. Today, one-third of EU markets already reach 90% PET bottle collection due to enabling policies and infrastructure and PET is steadily being used in reuse systems too – such as bottled water in Germany.
As primary producers of a widely-used material for packaging, our sector recognises that it has a major responsibility and we take this responsibility very seriously. Post consumer PET bottles are a precious secondary raw material for the production of a long list of goods which are in condition to preserve food, drugs, medications and many other goods that are essential for our wellbeing.
By diverting waste away from landfill or incineration and back into the circular economy, the PET industry offers a packaging that is fully recyclable in practice and at scale. This supports the ambitions of a raft of stakeholders including governments – who want to transition to a low carbon future; consumers – who are keen to end plastic waste; and brand owners – who want to place their products in sustainable packaging options. Equally importantly, by continuing to collect and recycle its raw material, Europès PET industry is also addressing the shared objectives of industry, government and civic society who are looking to build a sustainable and fair business environment.
When I reflect on the demonstrations in front of the European Parliament in Brussels recently, I see that our concerns are actually very similar to those of the people who are taking to the streets: Ensuring a fair, level playing field for Europès domestic industries will protect both our EU economy and the livelihoods of millions of citizens. The 2024-2029 European Parliament must work to create sustainable production models that support Europès industries and ensure that they can continue to compete on the global stage today and in the years to come.
– photo Antonello Ciotti –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Maltese authorities blocked more than three tonnes of oranges, lemons and mandarines imported from Sicily were blocked from entering the Maltese market on Saturday morning. The 3,033kg of citrus fruits was packed into 306 boxes and brought to Malta via the catamaran from Pozzallo.
The agriculture ministry said it was returned after inspectors noted that the fruit was packed together with leaves and stems, in violation of pest control rules. The Plant Health Directorate will also be seeking to sanction the importer, in line with the Plant Quarantine Act.
Citrus trees are vulnerable to a variety of pests, with the Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) being among the most dangerous.
CTV is present all across the globe and impacts all citrus trees. The virus cannot be controlled by any pesticide, and the only control mechanism for this disease is that of uprooting and burning infected trees and applying pesticides for the vectors. Malta has seen a number of CTV outbreaks in the past decade.
The agriculture ministry said, “Inspections are carried out to ensure organisms that can harm local plants are not allowed into the country and given the chance to spread,” adding, “the illegal trade of citrus fruit that does not conform with Maltese laws places local agriculture at risk. The interception of this fruit is a testament to the government’s commitment to protect local farmers and consumers”.
– photo DOI –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The Policlinico San Donato has signed a two-year contract worth 81 million dollars for the management of a highly specialized university hospital with 492 beds in the city of Najaf, Iraq.

The signing of the agreement took place in the presence of the Minister of Health, Saleh Al-Hasnawi, the Italian Ambassador Maurizio Greganti, a large group of deputy ministers and senior officials of the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the President of GKSD and Vice-President of the San Donato Group, Kamel Ghribi, accompanied by the Managing Director of the San Donato Polytechnic, Sara Mariani, who signed the agreement, as well as by a delegation from the San Donato Group.

Following the signing of the agreement, President Kamel Ghribi said, “This is an extraordinary, I would say pioneering, innovation for the Italian healthcare,” adding “our managerial know-how, the great competence of our doctors, is at the service of a country like Iraq which is making great efforts on capacity and institutional construction of which healthcare is an essential component. And Iraq does so by collaborating with the most modern and effective means, that is, the public and private partnership agreement to provide the best assistance at the lowest price for taxpayers. The signing of this contract also has a broader value, namely the possibility that the presence in Iraq of GSD-GKSD could pave the way for the presence in Iraq of many other Italian business groups. Iraq is a large country undergoing reconstruction which attracts the attention of many entrepreneurs from all over the world. It would be a real shame if Italy remained a stranger to this truly exciting phase. This is also why we believe we have performed a useful service for Italy.”

– Photo: GKSD press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The 50-year-old Italian national arrested by Maltese police has been identified as Antonino Ciavarello, son-in-law of the late Sicilian boss-of-bosses Totò Riina.
Ciavarello is expected to be extradited to Sicily to serve jail time. He was arraigned under arrest the day after his 50th birthday.
Ciavarello, who appeared in court wearing clothes covered in construction dust, was unable to stand up in the dock. Speaking quietly, the Italian national gave an address in Mosta as his place of residence. He told the court he was employed as a driver with a construction company based in San Gwann.
In 2017, Ciavarello was arrested in Puglia to serve six months under house arrest for fraud. Ciavarello, who then lived at San Pancrazio with his wife, was found guilty of a scam perpetrated at Termini Imerese in 2009.
This afternoon Ciavarello was taken to court in Valletta. The court asked Ciavarello whether he consented to being returned to Italy. He declared that he did.
Police Inspector Roderick Spiteri confirmed that Ciavarello was arrested on the strength of two European Arrest Warrants issued by the Italian authorities. He exhibited copies of the original arrest warrant and the related Schengen Information System alert.
Inspector Spiteri explained that the two European Arrest Warrants had been issued in connection with two separate court sentences. The two warrants order him to be jailed for two years and pay a euro 100,000 fine, and another eight months prison sentence.
Lawyer Thomas Barbara Sant, assisting Ciavarello told the court that his client had been aware of the judgments but had not known he had been sentenced to imprisonment.
– credit photo agenziafotogramma –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – An Italian national wanted by the Italian authorities was arrested by the police in Malta following a European arrest warrant.
The 50-year-old Italian national is sought by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Brindisi Court.
Following weeks of investigations, the arrest operation unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning with police surrounding the individual’s residence in Mosta before effecting the arrest. The operation this morning was conducted in collaboration with the Italian Police.
The Italian authorities had issued the arrest warrant against the individual on 24 January 2022, in connection with serving a prison sentence.
The man is expected to appear in court before the Magistrate to initiate extradition proceedings to Italy.

– Foto: Polizia di Malta –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta and Turkey discussed the possibility of more cooperation in the renewable energy sector, especially in light of the agreement between Malta and Libya, and immigration. During a visit in Malta, Turkey’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, held meetings with Malta’s highest authorities, including Prime Minister Robert Abela, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg, and Malta’s President George Vella. Both sides expressed commitment for diplomatic work and pacific solutions regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The two sides also discussed Malta’s Presidency of the OSCE, and the Prime Minister insisted on the country’s commitment to keep striving for peace in the context of the war in Ukraine and the Middle East. On Ukraine, Turkey’s diplomatic mediation was noted, which is leading to results on food security. Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a visit to Turkey in the coming days. Minister Fidan said that Turkey will continue to work for a fair, diplomatic and peaceful solution agreed between the two parties. Putin’s visit will be the first time that the Russian President visited a NATO member country since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. On the Middle East, the Prime Minister emphasized that the international community needs to keep working towards a permanent ceasefire and a two state solution. Minister Fidan also had a meeting with his Maltese counterpart, Minister Ian Borg, in which the two ministers discussed a number of issues of a bilateral nature, such as the political crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East, the present situation in Libya, Turkey’s application to join the European Union, and the bilateral cooperation in the OSCE, of which Malta has now assumed the Presidency. During the meeting both sides discussed the strengthening of commercial relations.(ITALPRESS).

Foto: Doi

Source: medNews

TIRANA (ALBANIA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A joint commitment to promote initiatives in favour of the sustainable development of Albania and its SMEs was agreed between the Italian and Albanian authorities.
This is the main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CEO of CDP Dario Scannapieco, the CEO of SIMEST Regina Corradini D’Arienzo and the Secretary General of the National Economic Council Arben Shkodra. The agreement marks the start of the process for the recognition of the role of CDP in Albania as an Italian Financial Institution for International Development Cooperation. The signing took place during a visit to the Albanian capital Tirana by a delegation from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti during which the CEO of CDP met with the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Minister for Entrepreneurship Delina Ibrahimaj, the Minister of Finance Ervin Mete and the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment Vilma Bello. The meetings were an opportunity to illustrate the strategy that CDP intends to pursue to support the country’s public and private sector in favour of sustainable and inclusive growth.

“The ties between Italy and Albania,” added Regina Corradini D’Arienzo, CEO of SIMEST – “are close, not only due to geographical proximity but also due to a substantial similarity in the composition of the industrial context. SIMEST is already present in the Western Balkans, offering businesses its range of products, from subsidized finance to participatory investments and strategic consultancy. With today’s agreement, we are committed to strengthen our activity in Albania, in order to facilitate new opportunities for cooperation with the production sector and to consolidate commercial relations between Italian and local companies.”

The objectives of the agreement also include the identification of areas of common interest to seize opportunities for financing projects in Albania capable of facilitating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a positive impact on the climate; the development of joint initiatives to promote collaboration between SMEs, leveraging the financial instruments available to CDP and SIMEST, also through the Business Matching platform; support bilateral investments and share information on opportunities in areas and sectors of mutual interest.

For Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the agreement with Albania is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its activity of supporting the sustainable growth initiatives of companies in emerging economies following the inauguration of the first non-EU branch in Belgrade – Banca Intesa Beograd . The opening of two new representative offices in North Africa is planned in the coming months, in Cairo in Egypt and in Rabat in Morocco.

Furthermore, during the day, the CEO of CDP signed a financing contract for a total amount of 10 million euros with Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, represented at the signing ceremony by its CEO Alessandro D’Oria. The initiative is part of a financing program divided into several tranches which will affect other countries where Intesa Sanpaolo is present. The funds, made available by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti as part of the Western Balkans Investment Framework initiative promoted by the European Union, are intended to Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, the only Italian bank operating in the country (through loans disbursed directly), to support the growth of Albanian small and medium-sized businesses with favourable interest rates. CDP resources will be able to generate a leverage effect equal to at least double the amount of the loan, for a total of no less than 20 million euros. The initiative will support at least 50 local businesses, create new jobs and contribute to the achievement of five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

– Photo Cdp press office –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews