Bank of Valletta has donated 200 oak trees which have been planted at the Oak Tree Circle at the Ta’ Qali National Park. This donation of oak trees, which is part of the 34U (Tree for You) campaign launched by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment, underlines BOV’s commitment to support initiatives that promote a better environment.

Igino Xuereb, Chief Officer, Operations at Bank of Valletta and George Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, unveiled a plaque at the Oak Tree Circle in Ta’ Qali commemorating BOV’s support in this campaign.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mr Xuereb said: “Bank of Valletta is glad to subscribe to the 34U campaign and these 200 oak trees were amongst the first to be planted under this afforestation project. Bank of Valletta is aware of the importance of safeguarding our environment and is taking a number of tangible initiatives with a view to supporting the renewed environmental awareness that is being instilled in our country.

“Bank of Valletta introduced e-statements in May 2004, and this has led to a substantial decrease in the use of conventional statements. This initiative has led to a reduction in the use of paper thus having a direct positive environmental effect,” Mr Xuereb said.

He continued: “We wanted to link this donation of trees to the introduction of our e-statement service. In this way, Bank of Valletta is not only taking an initiative that has an indirect positive impact on the environment but is also linking this with a direct contribution to one of the major environmental initiatives being undertaken in our country”.

Mr Pullicino thanked Bank of Valletta for supporting this afforestation initiative and their ongoing support to various environmental projects undertaken by the government. He emphasised that the government is seeking the support and collaboration of the private sector and the general public in the various afforestation projects in the selected sites.

The minister augured that more companies will come forward and accept government’s invitation to participate in these ambitious projects that will ultimately benefit us and future generations.