Malta has best climate in the world – International Living

International Living magazine has placed Malta at the top of its World Ranking for The Best Climate in the World in its 2011 Annual Quality of Life Index (www.internationalliving.com).

In her introduction to the special report on the World’s Best Climates, IL publisher Jackie Flynn writes: “For many people, an important consideration when moving overseas is the weather. Usually we yearn to escape harsh winters, snow, rain… and dream of living in a place where the sun shines every day and you don’t have to worry about scraping ice from your car before heading out to buy some milk!”

Climate is, of course, highly subjective, she continues: “Some people like to have a sharp, cold winter followed by a long, warm summer. Others want to eliminate the cold altogether and have sun year-round. And others prefer a more temperate climate… not too hot, not too cold, just somewhere in between.”

Five awards for Frank Salt Real Estate at European Property Awards

Frank Salt Real Estate Limited has won the award for the Best Lettings Agency in Europe at the European Property Awards, apart from winning all four local categories which it entered – Malta’s Best Real Estate, Malta’s Best Lettings Agency, Malta’s Best Real Estate Marketing and Malta’s Best Website with www.franksalt.com.mt.

The awards were announced at an event during which Europe’s finest real estate agents, developers, architects and interior designers attended at The Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Friday, 23 September.

In the words of Stuart Shields, Chairman of the International Property Awards: “The objective of these awards is to accomplish excellence in the property industry worldwide and to promote an international standard.”

New permanent resident scheme announced

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech unveils the new permanent resident scheme aimed at high net worth individuals with (on right) John Huber, an officer of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise (Photo – Reuben Piscopo, DOI)

With effect from today the permanent resident (PR) scheme is giving way to a new scheme granting special tax status to high net worth individuals.

Speaking at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said the new scheme truly targets high net worth individuals (HNWI) rather than residents and ensures that only fit and proper applicants are accepted.

Other aims of the new scheme are to ensure the individuals attracted leave proper value in the country, allowing economic activity for which they will be taxed, social cost liabilities to future generations are limited and the tax residency of these individuals will fall in line with Malta’s international obligations and current international tax norms.

Malta among countries least exposed to natural disasters

Malta is second only to Qatar as the country in the world that scored the “lowest risk” of natural disasters and climate change, according to a report issued earlier this month by the United Nations.

The new WorldRiskReport 2011, issued by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and edited by the Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft, looks at how vulnerable communities worldwide are affected by natural hazards. At the same time, modern media, the Internet and social networking tools all ensure that news about today’s disasters are delivered to global audiences in real time, via our televisions, computers and smartphones.

The report examines whether our increased awareness of hazards and vulnerability correlate to a rise in actual disaster risk reduction, and attempts to rate and compare the risks posed to different countries by natural hazards and climate change. It also offers scientists and practitioners a tool to evaluate the interactions between exposure to natural hazards and climate change , and factors of social vulnerability (such as levels of poverty, education, food security and governance).

Finance Minister interviewed

The forthcoming issue of The Property Standard features an exclusive interview with Finance Minister Tonio Fenech ahead of the announcement of the 2012 Budget.

Mr Fenech told TPS that Government is expecting a “relative recovery” in the property market, with marginal increases in duty on documents both this year and next.

While the potential supply of property may have increased, this does not mean that the actual supply of property available for sale has increased likewise, the Finance Minister pointed out.

Malta in top 10 for quality of life

Malta has placed in the top ten in International Living’s Annual Quality of Life Index 2011. The magazine rated nine categories including cost of living, culture, climate, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure and safety.
Although the United States was on top of the list of 192 countries surveyed in quantity terms, the other countries that made it were: New Zealand, Malta, France, Monaco, Belgium, Japan, the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany.
These nations are home to plenty of expats, who are thrilled with life in their chosen havens. Two of them, Barbara Bode and Liz Ayling, editor of maltainsideout.com, shared their experiences with the magazine.