Preparations are ongoing as the bus terminus outside City Gate, Valletta and the surrounding grounds will be the site of the countdown clock. The other two countdown clocks are at Kappara Roundabout and another at Aldo Moro Street in Marsa.

The NECC is also launching a brand new website inclusive of a euro converter, a countdown clock and internet chat facilities for those who would wish to acquire information online by chatting securely with one of the NECC information officers. The www.euro.gov.mt website provides more in-depth information about the euro and is full of resources for teachers, trainers, children and parents alike.

The Hon Tonio Fenech led the press conference at City Gate Valletta together with NECC Executive Director Mr Alan Camilleri, Head of Representation Dr. Joanna Drake, Bank of Valletta Chief Executive Officer Mr Tonio Depasquale and Valletta Mayor Dr Paul Borg Olivier.

The Hon. Fenech explained that we are just 100 days away from €-day and so we are launching the final leg of our information campaign which started on the 6th June 2006. These last 100 days are crucial to ensure that the changeover takes place in a smooth manner. While all is ready from the technical preparations aspect, the communications and education process needs to enter its most intensive period and these 100 days will be characterized by a concerted effort on the ground to educate consumers, train retailers to manage the new currency and assist vulnerable groups to become familiar with the euro.

“The euro is our money. It will soon be in our pockets and we need to feel the urgency to get the euro in our heads and start thinking in euro. This is the reason why today we shall be switching on three countdown clocks in three of Malta’s most prominent locations: Aldo Moro Street, Marsa; Kappara Roundabout; and City Gate – with the latter being the site where the final countdown celebrations on New Year’s Eve will take place” said the Hon Fenech.

The Parliamentary Secretary emphasised the fact that the euro will bring us closer to the heart of Europe. It will integrate Malta fully into the single market and it will also elevate Malta to the class of the elite economies of the European Union. ‘Strengthening Malta in Europe’ is therefore the message being propagated for citizens to understand the political and economic significance of European Monetary Union.

NECC Executive Director Mr Alan Camilleri explained the last phase of the campaign which will include a number of new initiatives:

An extensive outreach programme in localities and villages through the provision of Information meetings, educational sessions and training to consumers, one-to-one with retailers and special attention to the elderly and those in vulnerable situations. Issuing plastic euro money and pouches to all school children and vulnerable groups; Re-launching of the euro website to allow direct internet chat with the information officers, and providing a registered area where the public can subscribe to brochures, articles and press releases; Setting up temporary euro-centres in towns and villages; Launching educational programmes and euro-resources for school children; Launch of the “Home Visits on Request” initiative, to answer queries from the elderly and vulnerable in their homes.

Dr Joanna Drake said that "These are exciting times for Malta and the Maltese economy. The countdown clocks serve as a visual reminder that the Euro is getting nearer and nearer. They should also serve to prompt people to make their final preparations for the changeover."

BOV Chief Executive Officer, Tonio Depasquale, said that the Bank is playing a leading role in the changeover process. BOV has been appointed as the Official Partner Bank of the National Euro Changeover Committee and has undertaken that, up to the end of June 2008, it will not increase bank charges as long as these are not raised by any third parties. “This is a clear sign of our commitment towards price stability and a tangible contribution to combat the wrong impression that the euro will necessarily bring with it an increase in prices,” said Mr. Depasquale.

Tonio Depasquale announced that the BOV Converters, which the NECC will be distributing to all households in Malta and Gozo, have now arrived in Malta and that door to door distribution will be taking place during October.

“The BOV Converter automatically converts Maltese lira amounts into euro and vice versa, making it easy and straightforward for everyone to check price conversions,” said Mr. Depasquale. “We are sure that the BOV Converter should help to ensure that euro prices and their equivalent in Maltese lira are fully accessible to the public. This is fundamental given that during a changeover, the critical issue in relation to pricing is one of transparency,” said Mr. Depasquale.

BOV’s CEO said that the Bank has now been working on the euro changeover for over two years. “We are well aware that the support of the banking sector is crucial for a successful changeover and have been supporting the national effort in a considerable way,” he said. “The Banking sector plays a crucial role in this process, since it is the mechanism through which actual euro notes and coins will be put in circulation and Maltese lira notes and coins will be withdrawn. In this regard we are operationally ready and, over the coming weeks and months, we will be stepping up our information to the public vis-à-vis the practical aspects related to the changeover,” announced Mr. Depasquale.

“Apart from the effort that is being made internally within the BOV Group, the Bank is also working closely with the Malta Bankers' Association, the Central Bank of Malta and the National Euro Changeover Committee to support a smooth changeover,” concluded Tonio Depasquale.

Valletta Mayor Dr Paul Borg Olivier explained the important role Valletta will serve during this historical step. “Everyone is to shoulder responsibility and work hard to overcome this challenge for the benefit of all. Valletta will also serve as the main venue for the euro celebrations on New Year’s Eve. Valletta is also the leading locality where it comes to FAIR subscribers.”

The Government of Malta has plans for a grand New Year's Eve event to celebrate the historic event when the clock strikes midnight. The city itself will come alive with varied entertainment. Besides the restaurants and bars, representatives of the Eurozone will take over areas in and around the city to provide their own traditional entertainment.

On January 12, a formal celebration will be organised for heads of state of all the Eurozone, their finance ministers and central bank chiefs, along with top Brussels functionaries, like the European Central Bank chief.