Malta is increasingly attracting new companies with about seven new registrations per day taking place. This was stated by the Minister for Finance, Prof Edward Scicluna, at the third Annual Awards Dinner organised by Malta BNI to celebrate its four years in Malta.  

"Malta is what it is because professional people like Malta BNI members are serving their clients by offering global standards of service. We have an entrepreneurial culture in Malta. With BNI's philosophy of 'Givers Gain', its positive and structured approach, certain companies have added potential as they know that there are always other BNI members in Malta and in another 58 countries ready to help and work with them to achieve their business potential," said Minister Scicluna.

Forming part of the largest business networking organisation in the world, Malta BNI today consists of six chapters each comprising members who build long term relationships and are sincerely committed to helping one another find more business through BNI's 'Givers' Gain' philosophy and business referrals. BNI (www.bni.com) is about creating an awareness of the process of business referrals. Not just any kind of networking, but 'relationship networking'- an approach to doing business based on building long-term, successful relationships with people through the networking process.

Malta BNI National Director David Bullock said: "As our organisation grows and we have more members operating in increasingly more diverse sectors in this country, BNI is becoming a valuable first port of call for foreign businessmen and businesswomen seeking to set up their business in Malta.  They are introduced to others who are also hands-on business people and who understand what is required to build a profitable business and to survive in increasingly challenging times."

The awardees were:

Outstanding Chapter Presidents: Gordon Pace, Adrienne Despott, Marthese Grech, Sylvain Azzopardi, William Spiteri-Bailey and Maurizio Mamo;
Outstanding Vice-Presidents: Charles Calleja, Kevin Barun, Edwin Vella, and Peter Mifsud;
Outstanding Treasurers/Secretaries: Edward Zammit and Richard Falzon;

Outstanding Contributors: Mark De Bono, Ivan Azzopardi, Anthony Farrugia, Ron Mifsud, Stephen Ciantar and Keith Abela;

Best Education Co-ordinators: Adrian Cauchi, George Bonello, Graham Brown and Dr Jonathan De Giovanni;

Best Events Co-ordinator: Dr Nicola Magro Axelsson;

Best Visitor Hosts: Anika Gatt Seretny and Duncan Polidano;
Best Chapter:  Verdala Chapter - Sliema;
Most Improved Chapter: La Valette Chapter - Valletta;

Most Promising Chapter:  Pinto de Fonseca Chapter - Sliema;
Outstanding Service:  Steve Micallef and Jankarl Farrugia;

International Board of Advisers:  Carmel Bonello.

These annual awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of several Malta BNI members.  BNI offers its members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and, most importantly, business referrals. There are now six BNI chapters in Malta. Each comprises members that are sincerely committed to helping one another find more business through networking and word of mouth referrals.

The six chapters - all named after Grand Masters - meet in Attard (Wednesdays), Floriana (Thursdays) and St Julians (Fridays). Another three meet on Tuesdays in Sliema and Qormi. A plaque was presented to both Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard and to Razzett l-Antik in Qormi for being outstanding venues when hosting BNI meetings during the year. An honorary membership was presented to Mr Joe Vella, Food & Beverage Server at The Palace, Sliema for having assiduously assisted BNI Verdala Chapter for the last three years.

 Current membership stands at over 120 members from a wide range of businesses of all sizes. More information about Malta BNI can be obtained from [email protected] and tel 2124 3211.

A superb gala dinner was prepared by The Palace, Sliema.