VFM to host international conference in Malta next month

Valletta Fund Management is to host an international conference on October 8 with the theme Malta - Regional Developments and Opportunities in Financial Services.

The conference at the San Gorg Corinthia Hotel, St Julian's, will be attended by delegates from Malta, neighbouring countries and the Gulf region. VFM's shareholders, Insight Investment and Bank of Valletta plc, are the main sponsors of the event.

A number of high-profile speakers will address the delegates - business leaders, operators and regulators. Malta's case as a dynamic economy and its role in the Mediterranean market scenario will be brought forward by a number of speakers, who certainly do not need any introduction.

These include Finance Minister John Dalli, Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Abela, VFM chairman Joseph F.X. Zahra, Malta Financial Services Authority chairman Professor Joseph Bannister, Middlesea Insurance plc chairman Mario C. Grech, Malta Stock Exchange chief executive Mark Guillaumier, FIMBank plc general manager Ray Busuttil, and Valletta Fund Management assistant general manager Kenneth Farrugia.

The conference also includes a number of foreign speakers. Richard Robinson, Insight's director of Strategic Relationships, will deliver a presentation on Investment Perspectives both Near and Far and Alex Illingworth, Insight's director of Global Equity Funds, will highlight the opportunities and successful performances achieved by investing in Malta and neighbouring regions.

Shireen Alkady, chairman of Prime Asset Management, based in Egypt, will share his experiences on doing business in and from Malta. In addition, Slaheddine Ladjimi will share his views on the Borzamed Initiative and the prospects going forward.

Speaking about the organisation of this high profile conference, VFM general manager Charles Borg said: "On the eve of our accession to the European Union, Valletta Fund Management wants to have a leading role in the development of the financial services sector in Malta within the Mediterranean context.

"The European single passport, our cost advantages and our people's abilities will prove to be our main assets in attracting new business to Malta and servicing operations in neighbouring regions."

The organisation of this conference is also being supported by the MFSA, the Malta Stock Exchange, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Camilleri Preziosi and Associates and the Corinthia Group.

Reservations for this international conference can be made through VFM's Marketing Department by contacting Edith O'Connor on 2122-7311 or eoconnor.vfm@bov.com.mt.