Malta Stock Exchange holds annual awards dinner

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) held its Annual Awards Dinner at the Phoenicia Hotel on 17th November.

More than 150 people attended this event during which three professionals and a company were officially recognised. APS Bank CEO and Chairman of the Malta Bankers’ Association, Marcel Cassar, was guest of honour.

Other distinguished guests were present, including the Minister for Finance and Employment Clyde Caruana as well as regulators, financial professionals, and executives representing several companies listed on the Malta Stock Exchange.

In his opening speech, MSE Executive Chairman Joseph Portelli stated that the turnout for the dinner "is testimonial to how popular it has become and it's an opportunity for [MSE] to acknowledge all the stakeholders who have helped [its] capital markets flourish.”

Minister Caruana delivered a keynote speech, during which he mentioned that despite the current economic climate in Europe, it is envisaged that Malta’s economy will continue to grow in the coming years, albeit at a slower pace.

In his address, Mr Cassar spoke of the importance of sustainable development for the continued growth of the Maltese economy.

Alongside the established awards normally given out during this ceremony, a new award was given this year, namely the Best Dissertation Award. This was given to Cassandra Victoria Axiaq for her dissertation "Analysing the Tracking Errors of Sustainable Equity Exchange Traded Funds." The award was presented to Ms Axiaq by MSE CEO Simon Zammit.

The Company of the Year Award was won by Premier Capital plc. It was presented to the company CEO Melo Hili, by Mr Portelli.

The Employee of the Year Award was given to Marica Farrugia, Manager at the MSE Finance Office.  The award was presented by Alfred Sammut, Chief Human Resources and Corporate Services Officer at MSE.

Mr Zammit presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Paul Gauci, Founder and Executive Deputy Chairman of PG Group.