“HSBC Malta To Hold EGM to Discuss Potential Sale and Information Sharing with Buyers…”

HSBC Bank Malta plc has announced the agenda for its upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), scheduled for Thursday, 13th February 2025, at the Corinthia St George’s Bay in St Julian’s.

The primary item on the agenda is a resolution seeking shareholder approval to disclose confidential and unpublished price-sensitive information to potential buyers. This step is crucial for allowing interested parties to conduct thorough due diligence and proceed with negotiations for a potential acquisition of HSBC’s majority stake in Malta.

HSBC Holdings has received interest from multiple parties regarding the acquisition of a 70.03% shareholding in HSBC Bank Malta. Throughout this process, HSBC Malta emphasizes its commitment to upholding corporate governance and transparency.

This EGM marks a significant step forward in evaluating potential ownership changes for HSBC Bank Malta.

Malta’s Cruise Passenger Traffic Sees 4.6% Growth in Q4 2024

In the final quarter of 2024, Malta saw 176,812 passengers visit the island, reflecting a 4.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to the latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO).

There was also a notable rise in the number of cruise ship arrivals, with 92 vessels docking in Malta between October and December, 10 more than the previous year. However, despite the uptick in total arrivals, the average number of passengers per vessel decreased to 1,922, which is 140 fewer passengers per ship compared to 2023.

Passenger Composition and Key Markets

Transit passengers continued to make up the majority of arrivals, with 166,564 people (94.2% of total traffic). EU nationals accounted for 36.2% of the total cruise arrivals, with Italy (10.2%) and Germany (8.8%) being the leading source markets.

Non-EU passengers totaled 112,806, with the United States representing the largest share at 44.8%, followed by the United Kingdom at 18.1%.

In terms of gender, female passengers made up the majority, accounting for 54.1% of arrivals. Age-wise, the 60-79 age group was the most prominent, making up 46.2% of passengers, followed by the 40-59 age group at 27.4%.

Full-Year Cruise Performance in 2024

For the entire year, Malta welcomed 849,088 cruise passengers. EU nationals represented 41.4% of the total, while female passengers accounted for 53.7% (456,176). As with the quarterly data, older travelers dominated the market, with 37.3% of passengers (317,033) in the 60-79 age bracket, followed by 30.2% (256,761) in the 40-59 age range.

In terms of cruise liner activity, 2024 saw 363 calls, a significant increase from 309 in 2023. However, the average number of passengers per vessel dropped from 2,636 in 2023 to 2,339 in 2024, indicating that while more cruise liners visited Malta, they carried fewer passengers on average.

Alexandre Dreyfus Launches ‘Qamar Ventures’ with €10 Million Investment Focused on Malta’s Digital and Entertainment Sectors

Alexandre Dreyfus, the entrepreneur behind blockchain pioneers Chiliz and Socios.com, has launched Qamar Ventures, an investment initiative focused on transforming Malta’s digital media, tech, entertainment, and sports industries. With plans to invest €10 million over the next few years, Qamar Ventures aims to scale businesses and foster innovation, strengthening Malta’s position as a hub for creativity and technology in the Mediterranean.

Dreyfus, who has lived in Malta for 15 years, sees significant untapped potential in local talent and opportunities. Through Qamar Ventures, he is committed to supporting Malta’s growth as a center of innovation. Dreyfus’ entrepreneurial journey began at 18 with the sale of his first company, Mediartis, followed by the success of Webcity, acquired by Yelp. His global success with Chiliz and Socios.com revolutionized fan engagement in sports using blockchain.

Qamar Ventures will focus on consolidating Malta’s digital landscape by investing in media, tech, entertainment, sports, and e-commerce. The €10 million investment plan will prioritize strategic mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to enhance Malta’s global competitiveness while empowering local entrepreneurs. The venture’s mission is to create a sustainable ecosystem for innovation, making Malta a leading center for digital excellence in the Mediterranean.

Qamar Ventures will announce its first deals in the coming months, signaling its commitment to reshaping Malta’s digital future and laying the foundation for leadership in the digital, entertainment, and sports sectors.

Malta Company Announcements:

Klikk Finance plc

The Company announces that it has convened an extraordinary general meeting to be held on the 6 February 2025 at 14:00 hours at the Company’s registered address during which the Company will be proposing and, if thought fit, approve:

1)     Changes to the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company

2)     That the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company be replaced in their entirety with the new set of Memorandum and Articles of Association. The changes being proposed to the Memorandum and Articles of Association relate to:

(i)                  a number of other changes limitedly for the purpose of reflecting the latest information relative to the shareholding and board composition of the Company as shown on the public records of the Malta Business Registry and

(ii)                to reflect other legislative changes. 

 

PG plc

Retirement of Chairman of the Board of Directors – Mr John Zarb 

PG p.l.c. (the “Company”) announces that Mr John Zarb, holder of Maltese ID card 587653M and residing at 15, Triq Stella Maris, Sliema SLM1766, Malta, has retired from his position of non-executive director of the Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr Zarb’s retirement is effective today, 17 January 2025.

The Board of Directors extends its appreciation towards Mr Zarb for his contribution to the Company during his tenure and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.

Appointment of Chairman of the Board of Directors – Mr William Spiteri Bailey 

The Board of Directors has, with effect from today, 17 January 2025, appointed Mr William Spiteri Bailey, independent non-executive director of the Company, holder of Maltese ID card number 20467M, and residing at Primavera, 75, Triq Mikielang Grima, Pembroke PBK 1203, Malta, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company in Mr Zarb’s stead. In line with Article 16.1 of the Company’s Articles of Association, Mr Spiteri Bailey shall also chair the Company’s Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

Mr Spiteri Bailey is an experienced certified public accountant and auditor who has recently retired from a partnership role at RSM. He has served as a director of the Company and as the chair of its Audit Committee since the Company’s Initial Public Offering in 2017, and prior to that had also served for a number of years on the board of the Pavi Supermarkets Group, providing him with an in-depth knowledge of the business of the PG Group. 

Appointment of Audit Committee Chairman – Mr Lawrence Zammit 

The Company also announces that Mr William Spiteri Bailey has relinquished his role as Chairman of the Audit Committee and that Mr Lawrence Zammit, holder of Maltese ID card number 12456M, and residing at 34/5, Triq il-Buzjett, Naxxar, Malta, has been appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee in Mr Spiteri Bailey’s stead. Mr Spiteri Bailey will retain his position as an independent non-executive member of the Audit Committee. 

Lawrence Zammit is a founding partner and a director of MISCO. At MISCO, he serves as a consultant to a number of business organisations across a range of economic sectors. He has served as a director of the Company and as a member of its Audit Committee since the Company’s Initial Public Offering in 2017, and prior to that had also served for a number of years on the board of the Pavi Supermarkets Group. He also has extensive board experience, serving and having served on the board of directors of a number of companies and corporations.

KA Finance plc

Further to the Company Announcements dated 1st September, 2023 and 25th October, 2024, the Company announces that it has today concluded the sale of the property in 43 Reid Street, Gzira, which was owned by KA Holdings Ltd. (the Guarantor) and was included in the Company Admission Document (Sect 20.2).

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