Press Review • 4 March

The Times of Malta

Real estates agents set to reject Henley’s proposed commission agreement

Henley Estates has proposed an agreement with real estate agencies to deliver clients to them in return for a hefty proportion of commission. The proposal suggests that Henley would deliver interested clients to agencies in return for half their commission on rentals and 80% of the commission on sales. Since the ownership of property is a pre-condition to citizenship, a sale is almost guaranteed.  Real estate agencies plan to reject the proposal on the basis that it is not in the best interests of the potential client or of Malta in the long run.

In-Nazzjon

Consumer confidence is slipping

Chairman of the EMCS international group, economist John C Grech said that consumer confidence in the country’s economic and financial situation has been in steady decline since November. These findings, a result of a survey conducted by EMCS every month, point to consumers feeling insecure, being more cautious about buying expensive goods and having less confidence in the economy as a whole.

L-Orizzont

€1 million in contraband cigarettes stolen

The examination of footage from 140 CCTV cameras has led to the discovery that a container, at first thought to have been lost, left the Freeport without authorization. The container was carrying around 4.5 million contraband cigarettes with an estimated value of €1 million. This evidence was presented by Alex Montebello, a Freeport official, in a case against three individuals being charged with the theft of a container.

The Malta Independent

Will new President sign gay marriage bill?

With Marie Louise Coleiro Preca set to be the new President of the Republic, there are doubts as to whether she will sign the ‘gay marriage’ bill – which will open up the possibility of adoption for gay people – without resistance, in what well may be her first major act as President. Coleiro Preca is known for her advocacy of traditional family values and was strongly opposed to the introduction of divorce back in 2011.