About Malta

Malta is located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, halfway between Europe and North Africa

Because of its strategic geographic location and its excellent natural harbours, Malta has always been a major attraction to the world’s maritime powers. As a result, Malta has been ruled by many foreign powers, starting as long ago with the Phoenicians and ending latterly with the British from whom Malta gained independence in 1964.

Malta has been in continuous contact with diverse cultures, all of which have contributed in one way or another to it’s laws, its administration and it’s way of life generally.

The Maltese economy has experienced a noticeable shift over the years and has developed into a more service-oriented industry. The growth in the services sector is mainly due to great human resource potential found in Malta and its strategic location in a very important region. In the past few years steady growth has been registered in the provision and development of niche financial, ICT and tourism services. Malta has been strengthening its position as a major hub for the provision of transhipment, financial services and Information and Communication Technology and pushing to become a leader in the region.

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English, a legacy of British rule that lasted over 160 years. Malta became independent in 1964, a republic in 1974 and joined the European Union in May 2004.

Companies and individuals choose to carry on their business through Malta and/or relocate to Malta for a number of reasons but principally because:

•    Malta is a full member of the European Union
•    Financial Services in Malta are regulated by a single regulator who is easily engaged
•    Financial laws in Malta are EU Directive compliant
•    Malta has both Maltese and English as it's official languages
•    Maltese financial laws are binding in the English language
•    Malta is tax effective
•    Malta is cost effective
•    Malta is easily accessible

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) was established by law on 23 July 2002 and is a fully autonomous public institution. The MFSA has taken over supervisory functions previously carried out by the Central Bank of Malta, the Malta Stock Exchange and the Malta Financial Services Centre and is the single regulator for financial services. The sector incorporates all financial activity including banking, credit and financial institutions, investment, trust and insurance business. The MFSA also manages the Registry of Companies and has also taken over responsibility as the Listing Authority.