Minister Anton Refalo Meets With The FAO Director-General

Jul 1 2025

Taking place in Rome, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Anton Refalo, met with the Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, ahead of the 44th session of the FAO Conference of Agriculture Ministers.

During the meeting, the FAO Director-General praised Malta’s ongoing commitment to global food security efforts. He acknowledged Malta’s proactive involvement in FAO initiatives and its valuable contribution to global agricultural and food systems, particularly through the sharing of technical expertise and collaboration with Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Minister Refalo provided an overview of Malta’s agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors.

Discussions on agriculture highlighted Malta’s unique methodologies in managing water scarcity. The Director-General recognised Malta’s expertise in this area and emphasised that it should serve as a model for other countries facing similar environmental challenges.

The Minister also outlined the distinctive characteristics of agriculture in Malta, particularly on the island of Gozo. He focused on the challenges and opportunities related to agricultural produce from small islands and welcomed further collaboration with the FAO to strengthen sustainable development in these areas.

Minister Refalo also referred to Malta’s expertise in sustainable tuna production. He highlighted the country’s unique experience and technical proficiency in this field, which is further reinforced by Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean.

The positive meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance cooperation between Malta and the FAO, particularly in innovation, sustainable fisheries, and developing climate-resilient agriculture.

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1 Year Deferral Of Mandatory Skills Pass For Maltese & Eu Nationals

Jul 1 2025

The government has announced a one-year delay to the mandatory introduction of the Skills Pass for Maltese and EU nationals. Originally set to come into force on 1 January 2026, the new implementation date is now 1 January 2027.

The Skills Pass was launched in May 2024 as part of the Malta Tourism Strategy 2021–2030. It aims to enhance the quality of human resources in the tourism industry. Since its launch, more than 13,000 individuals working in catering and hospitality have gained accreditation through the scheme.

The programme is managed by the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and has benefited from strong cooperation between ITS and key industry stakeholders. This collaborative approach has been crucial to its early success.

Following alignment with the recently introduced Malta Labour Migration Policy, the Skills Pass will remain compulsory for third-country nationals. However, its requirement for Maltese and EU nationals will now take effect in 2027 through Legal Notice 113 of 2025.

Over the next year, the government will continue working with industry partners to ensure the long-term success of the Skills Pass, with plans to explore its expansion into other sectors, supporting sustainable growth and a skilled workforce.

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Over 1,200 Calls Received Since Launch Of Malta’s 1400 Health Helpline

Jul 1 2025

Member of the House of Representatives of Malta, Jo Etienne Abela, announced that since the launch of the 1400 health helpline, a total of 1,256 calls have been received.

According to Saħħa, these calls were distributed as follows: 260 patients were referred to private clinics, 350 patients were referred to Mater Dei Hospital, 110 patients were referred to Health Centres, and 436 patients received guidance via telemedicine or other phone-based services, either because their cases were not urgent or they did not fall within the current walk-in care age range of 16 to 70.

Jo Etienne Abela also stated that a new IT system is being introduced in the coming weeks to improve services, especially for age groups currently outside the eligibility range.

What do you think?

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Buns, Bowls & More: Saigon Malta Lands in Gzira

Jul 1 2025

Saigon Malta has just launched its brand new Asian restaurant in Gzira, offering a flavour-packed twist on Asian food and Vietnamese street food. With a completely revamped menu, this Vietnamese restaurant invites you to dive into crowd favourites like Korean Fried Chicken, Chicken Katsu Curry, and soft, pillowy Bao Buns.

Customise your cravings with their signature Build Your Own Bowl concept, perfect for those who always want to change up their order. Plus, there’s no shortage of options for those following plant-based diets, with a variety of vegetarian and vegan Asian food dishes to choose from.

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Early risers are in for a treat too. Saigon Malta is open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM, serving up a unique breakfast menu including breakfast bao buns, hot honey fried chicken sando, and kimchi grilled cheese.

Located in the heart of Gzira, the new Saigon outlet also boasts a stylish downstairs space ideal for private events or casual get-togethers. Wash it all down with a curated selection of cocktails, wine, and beer on draught.

BONUS: You can also order online or for pickup through saigonmalta.com and get 10% off your meal.

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