New Chairman for the Malta Tourism Authority

Mr Louis Farrugia was appointed Chairman of the Malta Tourism Authority with effect from 1st January 2010. Mr Farrugia took over from Mr Sam Mifsud, whose term of office expired on 31st December 2009.

Mr Louis Farrugia will be heading the MTA in challenging times. His knowledge and experience, having been at the helm of one of Malta’s premier business organisations for many years, will be an asset in 2010 as Malta’s tourism industry aims to beat the international economic recession and return to growth.

Mr Sam Mifsud is being appointed Advisor to the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism. He will continue to advise government on route development strategy.

Mr Mifsud has led the MTA’s Board since September 2006. During his tenure he was instrumental in bringing about a number of organisational changes within MTA and in enticing airlines to start operating new routes to Malta. As a result Malta’s tourism grew to unprecedented levels, with record years in 2007 and 2008.

LOUIS A. FARRUGIA

Mr Louis A. Farrugia FCA qualified as Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in the UK.

He is the Chairman of the Group Executive Board of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, a Group engaged in the brewing, production and sale of branded beer and beverages and the importation, sale and distribution of wines, spirits. In Malta the Group also operates the franchises of a number of well known fast food chains and imports food and beverages through its subsidiary, Quintano Foods Ltd.

He is also Chairman of Multigas Ltd, Liquigas Malta Ltd and Farrugia Investments Ltd.

Louis A. Farrugia has served on a number of Government Boards, is a member and past President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and served as a non-Executive Director of HSBC Bank Malta plc for 4 years. He is also a director of the Commonwealth Business Council.

In December 2004 Mr Farrugia was nominated a member of the Order of Merit by the President of Malta in recognition of his contribution on a national level to the industry and enterprise in Malta.

This issue is available at: 0912.