A delegation composed of members of the Malta Tourism Authority and Malta Enterprise was recently in Norway on a trade mission to promote Malta as a business and tourism location, led by Malta's Ambassador to Norway, Albert Muscat Inglott.

A full-day seminar, held on the premises of the European Commission Delegation to Norway in Oslo, was opened with a welcoming address by consul general Petter Larsen. Ambassador Muscat Inglott preceded by highlighting Malta's tourism offer together with multiple advantages available to potential Norwegian investors.

John Montague, regional director Northern Europe at the Malta Tourism Authority, spoke about Malta's development as a tourism destination and as a new business potential within special interest areas such as cruising, health rehabilitation and sports training.

Patricia O'Connell, director Nordic MTA, spoke about Malta's position in the Nordic market.

In the afternoon, while Claus Peterson, representing Malta Enterprise, spoke about Malta as a profitable business location. A case study of a Scandinavian factory operating in Malta was also presented.

Director Sofia Backlund explained how her company Univentor Ltd has successfully been manufacturing medicinal products in Malta for the past 18 years.

Ambassador Muscat Inglott described the mission as successful. He said that "tourism is on the increase from Scandinavia, with a steady increase clearly evident from Norway. I am optimistic of the potential additional growth arriving from Scandinavia and especially from Norway."

During the delegation's stay in Norway, Ambassador Muscat Inglott took the opportunity to show appreciation to Oddvar Saanum, one of the sailers who took part in Operation Pedestal, the Santa Marija Convoy to Malta in August 15, 1942.

During a reception which was kindly sponsored by the MTA, Mr Saanum, the last Norwegian survivor of all the seven sailors who actively took part in Operation Pedestal, was presented with a certificate bestowing on him the Honorary Citizenship of Valletta, issued by the Valletta council.

Mr Saanum was also presented with a limited edition print portraying Operation Pedestal by the ambassador and Simon Cusens, a militaria enthusiast who was responsible for the re-enactment of Operation Pedestal at the Grand Harbour two years ago.

The Malta Tourism Authority also took the opportunity to invite Mr Saanum to re-visit Malta since he hasn't been here since 1942.

The Bedouin Bar

The Bedouin Bar at the Westin Dragonara Resort launched the summer season with a bang on June 6.

Located in the breathtaking setting of the Reef Club, the Bedouin's Peninsula was a colourful hub of bikinis, sarongs, and other swimming attire among the cushions and rugs strewn all around the bright maroon floor.

The doors opened at noon, when the sun beds and cushions were quickly taken by those who where working hard on getting this summer's first tan.

Others were more daring and jumped into the sea, still chilly, but clean, clear and very tempting. The canopies and the bamboo roof provided shade for those wary of the sun's rays.

Bongo players entertained those present during the day, while when the sun started setting, fire eaters and a DJ got the party going and kept it going till the early hours of the morning.

Maltese Society Circle in Dubai launched

An end of season Maltese traditional dinner was recently held in Dubai. This event was held in the elegant surroundings of The Fairmont, Dubai where the Consulate of Malta is also housed. The Bacchus Restaurant was taken over by the Maltese community where traditional Maltese food was served.

Prior to the dinner a press conference and a presentation took place to launch the Maltese Society Circle.

"This circle will organise a number of events and will keep the Maltese community close together," explained consul general Anthony Tabone.

"Today the number of Maltese settling in the UAE is growing and we would like to make them feel as welcome as possible," he said.

During this event Mr Tabone also launched the Malta Charity Gala Dinner to take place on January 26, 2005, under the patronage of President Dr Edward Fenech Adami. Proceeds will go to the Malta Community Chest Fund. It is set to take place on the same lines as the gala dinner held in October 2003 were over Lm7,000 was raised for charity.

To keep the Maltese community in the UAE informed of the activities to be held in the coming months, the first edition of a newsletter was also launched.

BoV Club members win Ramazzotti concert tickets

A total of 80 BoV Club Members were the lucky winners of tickets to Eros Ramazzotti's concert that will be held on Tuesday.

BoV Club members were invited to access the BoV Club Website and participate in a competition by answering three questions related to Eros Ramazzotti's concert and the BoV Club. The first 80 correct answers were rewarded with a free concert ticket each.

The tickets were presented by Julian Holland, manager, Business Development at Bank of Valletta.

For your diary

Dr Eugene Montanaro will be delivering the last of a series of lectures, entitled Francesco De Cordova: governor and benefactor of Gozo. The lecture will be delivered in Maltese at Mgr Farrugia Hall in Rabat, Gozo, tomorrow at 5.45 p.m.

The Socio-Cultural Institute of St Paul of St Paul's Bay is organising a Mass on St Paul's Island, tomorrow at 6.30 p.m.

The Dominican Sisters are organising their annual bazaar at their convent in 49, Main Street, Naxxar, till tomorrow, from 8.30 a.m. to noon and 4 to 7 p.m.

A clearance sale on books, new shoes and clothes in aid of the Mission Fund Mosta will be held from Wednesday till Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funds will go to relieve the hunger and misery of thousands of people in Third World countries.

A lunch celebrating US Independence Day is being organised by the Maltese-American Association, at the Seabank Hotel, Mellieha, on Sunday at 12.30 p.m. For tickets phone Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Place, Valletta, on 2122-2644, 2123-2545 or 2124-0255.

A card party in aid of the little sisters of the poor is being held at the InterContinental Hotel, St George's Bay, St Julian's, on July 7 at 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

The Past Pupils Association St Joseph Blata l-Bajda is organising a barbecue on July 9 at 7.30 p.m. in the school grounds. Tickets cost Lm6 for adults and Lm3 for children. For more information call 2144-4739 or 9946-0366 or e-mail ppablata@ yahoo.co.uk.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements: June 28-July 4

Tomorrow
10 a.m. The President receives Chamba Phuntsok, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, at the Palace, Valletta.
10.30 The President receives the president and officials of the Malta Federation of Industry.
8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador of the US and Mrs Gioia on the occasion of the National Day of the US on board the USS John F. Kennedy berthed at Pinto Wharf, Valletta.

Tuesday
9 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a pontifical Mass celebrated by Scottish Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the parish church of Nadur.
Noon The President distributes prizes at the annual Imnarja Agricultural Show organised by the Agrarian Society at Buskett.
6.30 p.m. The President attends the annual Charity Waterpolo Match in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund between Neptunes Vodafone and Sliema Burger King at the National Swimming Pool, Gzira.

Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives Mladen Ivanic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the Palace, Valletta.
7 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a meeting of the Ball of the August Moon at San Anton Palace.

Thursday
10.30 p.m. The President receives the president and members of the Astronomical Society of Malta at the Palace, Valletta.
11 The President receives Alexei Lautenberg, Ambassador of Switzerland, on a farewell call.
Noon The President receives the president and members of the Malta Chamber of Advocates.
7 p.m. The President pays an official visit to the International Fair of Malta in Naxxar.

Friday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami presents donations on behalf of the Malta Community Chest Fund at Mount Carmel Hospital.
8.15 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception hosted by the Ambassador of the Netherlands and Mrs Rienko Wilton on the occasion of the beginning of the Dutch presidency of the European Union, at their residence in Ta' Xbiex.

Camilleri - Grech

The marriage of Charmaine Camilleri, daughter of Rita and Raymond Camilleri of Birkirkara, and Victor Grech, son of Mary and Francis Grech of Tarxien, was recently celebrated at St Francis of Assisi church, Birkirkara.

Mass was celebrated by Fr Tonio Mifsud, OFM Conv. Alfred Grima acted as best man, and Matthew Camilleri, brother of the bride, and Ruth Azzopardi, cousin of the groom, witnessed the ceremony.

Rachel Curmi was maid of honour; Letizia Buttigieg and Kirsty Borg, cousins of the bride, were bridesmaids. Martina Pizzuto was flowergirl, Nicholas Tanti was page boy, while Vinson Camilleri was ring-bearer.

A reception was later held at Villa Oriana. The couple spent their honeymoon in Salzburg and Vienna.

Pace - Mattocks

St Paul's Shipwreck church in Valletta was recently the venue of the marriage between Carmen Pace, youngest daughter of Sylvia and Paul Pace of Valletta, and Claude Mattocks, youngest son of Agnes and Charles Mattocks.

Mass was officiated by Fr Jesmond Grech, SDB. Henri Mattocks, the groom's brother, and Alfonso Giglio, the bride's uncle, performed the duties of best man. The wedding was witnessed by Graziella Cassar, the bride's sister, and Pierre Mattocks, the groom's brother.

Abigail Holland was bridesmaid; Bettina Mattocks and Emma Micallef Mattocks, the groom's nieces, and Martina Cassar, the bride's niece, were flowergirls, while Jordan Briffa, the bride's cousin, was page boy.

The bride wore an original raw silk wedding gown sage green in colour with a touch of purple hand-embroidered in gold and embossed purple flowers finished off in purple green organza. The veil coloured in pale green to match the dress was held in place with a hand-made beaded tiara. The bouquet was made of all shades of fresh phrasias. The groom wore a cream hand-made suit with cravat matching the bride's gown.

A reception was later held at Olive Gardens, Rabat. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Olrando and on a Carribean Cruise.