Last week, Bank of Valletta was declared the Official Bank of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005 (CHOGM).
This was announced during a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister during which Prime Minister Dr Gonzi presented the CHOGM Official Bank stamp mark to the chairman of Bank of Valletta, Roderick Chalmers. Also present was Tonio Depasquale, chief executive officer of Bank of Valletta.
As the CHOGM Official Bank, Bank of Valletta will provide exclusive banking services during all CHOGM events. Bank of Valletta will act as the payment gateway for CHOGM 2005 and set up a number of service points in the CHOGM Media Centre and the main CHOGM hotels. It was also announced that Bank of Valletta would be supporting the national marketing and promotional efforts being undertaken by the government in relation to this event as a Gold Sponsor of CHOGM 2005.
Addressing the media, Dr Gonzi said: “The forthcoming Commonwealth meeting is of great significance since Malta will be providing a unique and exceptional backdrop for constructive and forward-looking discussions – not only on the important issue of bridging the digital divide, but also to identify ways of enhancing multi-lateral co-operation for prosperity, development and democracy, using Commonwealth networks to achieve these goals. When we consider that this Commonwealth meeting will be an opportunity to take action on important global issues such as the fight against poverty, international trade and world security, we realise the political weight of this event.”
“We are proud and delighted to have Bank of Valletta, a leading financial institution, as one of the prime supporting partners of this event. We are confident that the bank’s expertise in financial matters, and its active involvement in such a high-profile event, will make a significant contribution towards its success,” Dr Gonzi concluded.
Addressing the media, Roderick Chalmers, chairman of Bank of Valletta, said, “ In the run up to, and during the CHOGM 2005 meeting, Malta will feature very prominently on the international stage; there is no doubt that the CHOGM meeting will be an important national event – indeed, one of the most important events in Malta’s recent history. Bank of Valletta, as Malta’s largest bank, is delighted and proud to be associated with this event, and to be nominated as the CHOGM Official Bank. This appointment is particularly welcome after two most positive announcements made to BOV over the past few days – first, by being named the Bank of the Year in Malta for 2005 by The Banker, the monthly banking publication of the Financial Times, followed by receiving an upgrade in outlook by the international rating agency, FITCH.”
Mr Chalmers added, “At Bank of Valletta, we recognise the positive impact that this important event will have on Malta’s international profile and on its economic, social and cultural life. As the leading provider of financial services in Malta, BOV is keen to give its active and tangible support to the CHOGM organisers, in order to ensure that the whole country takes full advantage of the opportunities that will be generated by this event. By being supportive towards CHOGM, we are putting our business credo into practice – indeed, the slogan your success, our goal could not be more appropriate – our support is directed at helping make CHOGM a success, and that is why we are putting all our weight behind the organisers of this event as the CHOGM Official Bank.”
“The theme of bridging the digital divide through proper investment in information and communications technology (ICT), chosen for CHOGM 2005, is very much in line with the strategy Bank of Valletta has been following over the past years,” Mr Chalmers said.
“The bank has invested heavily to establish a strong IT platform that has helped to revolutionise banking in Malta through the provision of alternative delivery channels and with the introduction of Internet banking to Malta,” concluded Mr Chalmers.
Preparations for CHOGM 2005 are gaining momentum, with government resources fully mobilised to ensure high level of security and logistical preparations and facilities for the 3,000 delegates expected in Malta. These include 53 Heads of State, 53 Foreign Ministers and hundreds of accompanying officials, delegates to the Business, People’s and Youth Forums and journalists. The Heads of State include one Sultan, 21 Presidents and 31 Prime Ministers.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2005, to be held between 25 and 27 November, will be opened at the Mediterranean Conference Centre by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.