Newsletter may 2010

Success story of the month: Joseph and Alena


The host entrepreneur: Joseph Bugeja runs Globalair Travel, an agency created in 1982 and purchased by his family in 1996, which offers services to foreign clients visiting Malta.

The new entrepreneur: Alena Seginkova graduated in environmental science/nature protection and worked 12 years in financial consulting in Slovakia. She is planning to open her own company specialised in ecotourism.

The exchange started on 28 September 2009 and lasted four months. Alena greatly contributed to the development of Joseph's company by providing new skills and innovative ideas. Hence, Joseph discovered a completely new market and learned about ecotourism. Alena got hints and tips about the functioning and management of a company and acquired international contacts.

Future prospects: Alena will set up her business in the coming months. "The experience I gained and the networking opportunities I had during my Erasmus exchange will definitely facilitate the start up of my own business in Slovakia," she said. Joseph plans to expand his business to new markets: "The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme significantly benefited to my company. It increased opportunities for collaboration in the tourism sector between Malta and international markets." Joseph is willing to renew the experience with another new entrepreneur.

The exchange was initiated by Benedetto Pignoli from the Italian-Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Elizabeth Camilleri Fava from Koperattivi Malta.

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