Excellence In Construction Awards Celebrates 1st Annual Winners

Feb 24 2025

Last Saturday, the inaugural Excellence in Construction Awards (XCA) brought together the visionaries shaping Malta’s construction industry for a spectacular evening of recognition and celebration.

Hosted at the Grand Master’s Palace, the event welcomed over 250 industry professionals, policymakers, and innovators to honour achievements across innovation, sustainability, and quality.

Award-Winning Excellence

The XCA recognised exceptional companies in 11 categories, showcasing the extraordinary impact of Malta’s construction leaders. This year’s top accolade, Contractor of the Year, was awarded to Panta for their demonstrated excellence across every aspect of construction.

Other winners include:

● Dedication to Sustainability: Attard Bros.

● Quality & Workmanship: Mekanika

● Workforce Training & Development: Panta

● Commitment to Wellbeing, Health & Safety: Attard Bros.

● Innovation, Research & Development: Halmann Vella Ltd.

● Excellence in Demolition & Excavation Works: Ballut Blocks

● Excellence in Infrastructure & Civil Works: General Maintenance Ltd.

● Excellence in Mechanical & Electrical Installations: AASK Enterprises Ltd

● Excellence in Finishing Works: Establishment Ltd.

● Conservation Awareness: Queens Furniture

● Public Choice Award: Panta

Highlighting the Industry’s Mission

The awards focused on raising standards and fostering a culture of sustainability, innovation, and quality in Malta’s construction sector. Speaking at the ceremony, Reuben Xuereb, Chairman and CEO of QP, the XCA’s CSR Partner, emphasised the importance in achieving these goals:

“This is our opportunity to set a new benchmark, one where construction is not just about building but about creating a sustainable and inspiring Malta for generations to come. We have a responsibility. Let us celebrate tonight’s winners. Be inspired by their work and reaffirm our

shared commitment to an industry that values quality over shortcuts, responsibility over convenience and sustainability over short term profit.”

Adding to this, The Honourable Dr. Jonathan Attard, Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, underscored the significance of these awards in the ongoing transformation of Malta’s construction industry:

“The Excellence in Construction Awards represents a commitment to recognising quality, innovation, and sustainability. This initiative is not simply an awards ceremony; it serves as a platform for collaboration and inspiration for future generations. As we reflect on our journey, I urge everyone to maintain momentum and support a dialogue centred on raising standards and fostering responsibility. Meaningful reform is an ongoing process, driven by those who embrace change and strive for progress. Together, we can cultivate an industry that excels in quality, respects its workers, and values its communities.”

A Night to Remember

The evening featured keynote speeches, inspiring stories from awardees, and a special focus on public participation, which allowed the community to vote for their favourite contractors. The event’s success was amplified by the support of our esteemed partners and sponsors.

Supported by: The Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector.

Endorsed by: The University of Malta, the Occupational Health & Safety Authority, the Building and Construction Authority, the Malta Development Association, Kamra tal-Periti, the Malta Chamber of Construction Management, the Chamber of Engineers, Assoċjazzjoni Bennejja u Kuntratturi, the National Building Council, the Malta ESG Alliance, the Environment and Resources Authority, Malta Group of Professional Engineering Institutions, the Planning Authority, Project Green, Property Market Agency and Infrastructure Malta.

Corporate Social Responsibility Partner: QP.

Sponsored by: BOV, Finestral, JMV Building Solutions, BNF Bank

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Carnival 2025 In Ħamrun Another Massive Success

Feb 24 2025

‘It was a dream but it no longer is’, wrote Ħamrun local Clint Bonavia. ‘Carnival 2025 in Ħamrun was once again an enormous success. And this photo is evidence as to what went on today down on Triq il-Kbira, Ħamrun.’

The celebrations returned to Ħamrun as floats, costumes and all around carnival glee convened in the locality.

The Ħamrun Local Council shared photos of what went down as well, including the band parade, which saw dancers, Section D floats, installations and, of course, bands.

This comes as Malta enters its carnival phase in late February, with those passionate about the celebrations getting ready to attend the showcases and the parties around Malta and Gozo.

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TEMU Partners With MaltaPost To Enhance Delivery Services

Feb 24 2025

Temu, the global direct-from-factory online marketplace, has partnered with MaltaPost to improve last-mile delivery services in Malta.

This collaboration combines Temu’s efficient supply chain model with MaltaPost’s extensive delivery network, aiming to create a smoother and more reliable shopping experience for customers.

“We are excited to partner with Temu to enhance delivery services for online shoppers in Malta,” said MaltaPost CEO Joseph Gafà. “Together, we are committed to improving customer satisfaction and transforming last-mile logistics.”

Since entering the Maltese market in October 2023, Temu has introduced over 200 product categories, ranging from household essentials to electronics, providing a diverse selection for local consumers.

A Temu spokesperson highlighted the company’s commitment to affordability and accessibility. “By collaborating with reliable partners like MaltaPost, we can optimise logistics, expand our offerings, and ensure a seamless shopping experience.”

Beyond Malta, Temu is actively inviting local sellers in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and other European markets to join its platform. The company expects up to 80% of its European sales to come from local sellers, helping businesses expand globally.

Since its launch in September 2022, Temu has expanded to 90 markets worldwide, becoming one of the most visited e-commerce sites and a top Apple-recommended app in 2024.

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Malta To Submit Mdina & Ċittadella For UNESCO World Heritage List

Feb 24 2025

The Maltese government plans to submit an application to include Gozo’s Citadel and Mdina on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Prime Minister Robert Abela also announced that in November, Malta will apply for a seat on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The idea of adding these historic sites to UNESCO’s list was first proposed by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici in 2014.

Currently, Malta has several UNESCO-listed sites, including the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Ġgantija, Mnajdra, Haġar Qim temples, and Valletta. The World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 states, oversees the World Heritage Convention and allocates funding for the protection of cultural sites.

Speaking at a cultural event, Abela emphasised the importance of preserving Maltese identity through culture. He highlighted the government’s continued investment in the sector and stressed the significance of the Maltese language.

Encouraging children to speak Maltese, he described it as a key part of the nation’s identity.

Abela also praised voluntary organisations for their contributions to society and spoke about the importance of village feasts.

The government has invested €19 million to save band clubs from eviction, ensuring the survival of these cultural institutions. He noted that after the pandemic, participation in feasts surged, especially among young people.

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