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w h y
m a l t a ?
Famous for its history and 300 days of sunshine, Malta has emerged as one of the most remarkable success stories in the Eurozone. Recognised for its pro-business attitude, state-of-the-art infrastructure and modest costs of doing business, it has become the go-to country for growth-minded entrepreneurs and multinational companies.
Strategically located
Located in the centre of the Mediterranean, between Europe and North Africa, Malta is the European Union’s smallest member state.
Lying at strategic crossroads between Europe and Africa, Malta is a meeting point of cultures and languages at the heart of the Mediterranean. Located at the southern tip of Italy and just over 316 square kilometres in area, the Maltese Islands archipelago comprises Malta – the main island at 27 kilometres long and 14.5 kilometres at its widest point, Gozo – 67 square kilometres, and Comino which covers only 3.5 square kilometres. It takes just 45 minutes to cross Malta, reducing commuting times and increasing leisure time.
Malta is within three hours’ direct flight time from other European financial centres. Moreover, Malta is part of the Schengen area, which allows travel between member states without internal border controls.
An Island World
Malta has put in place a number of incentives to attract companies and professionals to the island. The island’s unique appeal, which at times combines a big city vibe with Mediterranean charm, is also playing a role in making Malta an attractive place to work and live.
Residents enjoy an exceptional standard of living: 10 months of sunshine, an English-speaking population, and a Mediterranean island setting in which it is easy to find one’s way around. For years, Malta had a reputation of being a relatively inexpensive place. Although costs are rising, the overall cost of living in Malta is still lower than in the majority of European cities.
Behind Malta’s ascent is a combination of sound policy-making and a pro-business environment, and its development has largely been attributed to its focus on knowledge and value-added industries.
While financial services has become a key pillar of its economy, Malta also boasts a thriving tourism industry, is home to a large maritime service cluster and supports a host of other sectors including ICT, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
A booming economy with high GDP growth and record-low unemployment, Malta has emerged as one of the most remarkable success stories in the Eurozone. Recognised for its pro-business attitude, state-of-the-art infrastructure and modest costs of doing business, it has become the go-to country for growth-minded entrepreneurs and multinational companies.
The island remains one of the most competitive choices in Europe, and investors believe in Malta. As financial companies the world over are strengthening their position in the financial technology race, Malta’s move into digital finance also offers massive growth potential, with Malta’s decision to regulate blockchain technologies turned out to be a headline grabber.
Source: financemalta.org
Why do business in Malta?
Malta enjoyed 15 years of uninterrupted growth within its financial services industry, which saw the sector grow in size and stature.
Malta is where regulatory innovation and emerging technologies complement each other, creating the right conditions for financial companies, both big and small, to thrive. Add to this a seasoned talent pool, strong language skills, a competitive business environment and high quality of life, and it becomes clear why investors believe in Malta, its potential and its future.
Despite being the EU’s smallest member state, Malta has been one of the most exciting countries to watch and invest in. Malta has been on a mission to make itself a magnet for financial services. It was a vision to turn the island into a platform for international business and to develop a model economy, which has regularly been among the best in the EU.
In no small part, Malta’s rise into the ranks of Europe’s leading finance centres has been driven by the island’s reputation for stability, predictability and security which has made it an exception among other global financial centres. A robust, EU-compliant regulatory framework, diverse ecosystem and deep talent pool also helped financial services companies from around the world to find opportunities for doing business in Malta.
