Bank of Valletta is the title sponsor of the sixth edition of the Malta-Tunisia Yacht Rally scheduled to be held at the end of July. This year’s edition was launched yesterday during a press conference held at Bank of Valletta’s Head Office in St Venera.
The BOV Phoenician Experience is the popular 300km nautical event open for both sailing and motor yachts. Since their setting up, diplomatic relations between Malta and Tunisia date back 40 years, thus this year represents an important milestone for both countries.
This year’s event bears the distinguished patronage of Dr Michael Frendo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for Tourism and Culture. These are being flanked with their Tunisian counter-parts, namely Mr. Abdelwaheb Abdallah, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Tijani Haddad Minister for Tourism of the Republic of Tunisia.
The press conference was addressed by H.E Mr Mohamed Ali Ganzoui, Ambassador of Tunisia to Malta, Mr Fethi Memi, Tunisian National Office of Tourism representative in Milan, Mr Roland Darmanin Kissaun, Chairman Organising Committee and Michael Galea, Head, Marketing and Communication at Bank of Valletta.
The green light for the Rally will be given from Malta on Friday 27 July, and is expected to end up at Port El Kantaoui, following a one night stop-over at Lampedusa. Reporting on the progress reached in the organisation of the event, Roland Darmanin Kissaun explained that, “Nine sailing boats and six motor yachts have already confirmed their participation. Meanwhile, the Tunisian authorities will be providing all participating boats with free berthing facilities.” “Local yachtsmen, especially newcomers for long off-shore sailing, enjoy the fun of cruising in company. We are looking forward in anticipation to the warm welcome we always get when we land in Port El Kantaoui. To end the Rally in style, a presentation of prizes and awards will be held over a Gala Dinner,” concluded Mr Darmanin Kissaun.
Michael Galea said that Bank of Valletta was pleased to extend its support towards this sporting event once again.
The Bank has supported this bi-annual Rally since 2003 underlining the links that BOV has with Tunisia where it operates a Representative Office. Mr. Galea congratulated the organisers for once again staging this high profile event and wished every success to the participants.
For The BOV Phoenician Experience several organisations have rallied their support, including the Tunisian Airline SevenAir, the Tunisian National Tourism Office (ONTT) as well as the cooperation of the Embassy of Tunisia in Malta and the Embassy of Malta in Tunisia.
Further information about the Rally can be obtained from members of the Organising Committee, namely Roland Darmanin Kissaun (9947 8678), Richard Tua (9949 2898), Mohamed Laamouz (9949 4077), Wilfred Sultana (9907 1949).