ANGELE SPITERI PARIS

Michele Peresso Group of Companies has shown a deep sense of corporate social responsibility by making around Lm11,000 worth of donations to charity – including presents to children in institutes and homes, medical equipment to the Community Chest Fund and gifts for those who call to make donations during this year’s L-Istrina.

This is an annual donation by the group that is made up of four companies: Euro Sport Ltd, Euro Pharma Ltd, Euro Save Ltd and Euro Perfumery Ltd.

A total of 493 children living in homes and institutes will receive presents courtesy of the group. Every gift will be individually wrapped and carry each child’s name in order to make them feel special. The presents are worth a collective Lm7,000.

The company also extended its goodwill to the Community Chest Fund by donating Lm1,000 worth of medical equipment to the organisation. Euro Perfumery, Euro Save and Euro Pharma also gave several prizes to be given to those who make donations during this year’s L-Istrina programme.

Speaking at the presentation of these donations, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi expressed his gratitude towards the group of companies and said it was a pleasure to see entrepreneurs who show a sense of social responsibility.

This is a concept that is slowly being instilled in Maltese entrepreneurs, he said. “There comes a time when businessmen must look beyond money-making and assess what they can do to contribute to social welfare,” he continued.

Dr Gonzi congratulated Michele Peresso Group of Companies for establishing itself in this field and extending a helping hand to the needy. The President’s wife, Mary Fenech Adami, and Auxiliary Bishop Annetto Depasquale also attended the presentation of these gifts. The prime minister and Mrs Fenech Adami presented the children’s gifts while Euro Pharma director Michael Peresso presented the Community Chest Fund donation and the prizes to be given to L-Istrina.

Before the presentation of the donations, the Prime Minister officially opened the new Euro Save outlet in Psaila Street, Birkirkara. Managing director Emanuel Peresso explained that this outlet demonstrates a new concept in business – that of mass volume trade which, he claimed, will guarantee cheaper prices.

Such investment and expansion generate employment, said Mr Peresso, explaining that the company had taken on an additional 55 staff this year. “With 160 employees, our group of companies works hard to be at the forefront of the business,” he continued.

Mr Peresso also spoke of the government’s need to motivate entrepreneurs to expand. “If I were prime minister, I would reduce taxes and motivate this sector more,” he said, smiling at Dr Gonzi.

The prime minister said the government is working on motivating the self-employed to expand, as this will increase competitiveness. “This year’s budget encourages SMEs to reinvest in their own business since any profit that is pumped back into the business is tax-exempt,” he said.

He also said that competitiveness, which is something Mr Peresso also mentioned, must be achieved on a national level and not just within the business sector. “Malta’s education sector as well as the whole environment, including roads, must be made competitive,” he said.

Mgr Annatto Depasquale blessed the plaque that was unveiled to mark the opening of the new outlet.