The increase is immediate and substantial, the statement said. Effective 1 October 2026 revised “EU ETS + FuelEU + BAF Surcharge” rates have been introduced on the Malta to Genoa service. The rates will apply until 31 December 2026 and will then be reviewed quarterly.

“This is a burden that European Union policy is placing on all Maltese citizens simply because we are an island. It is an unfair burden that will have repercussions on businesses and ultimately, all Maltese consumers,” said Joseph Bugeja, ATTO Chairman .

All operators have started contacting their respective clients to inform them of the increased rates.

The surcharge for a trailer travelling from Genoa to Malta rises from €35 to €39 per linear metre, translating into €530.40 per trailer. The same €530.40 applies to the return journey from Malta to Genoa, meaning that every trailer making a Genoa-Malta-Genoa round trip will now incur €1,060.80 in these surcharges alone.

The €35 million annual figure has been calculated on over 55,000 trailers originating mainly from Genoa but also to and from other Italian ports each year. Based on the new €1,060.80 round-trip charge, this represents an annual cost of approximately €35 million.

“Virtually everything Malta imports to sustain its economy and economic activity must cross the sea. Unlike most countries on mainland Europe, Maltese businesses have no alternative. Malta must stand up and challenge a policy designed for Europe as a whole but imposed on an island economy without adequately considering our unique geographic disadvantage.”

“The annual €35 million is being presented as Malta’s environmental bill. Safeguarding the environment is important, but environmental policy cannot come at the price of disproportionately penalising an island that has no alternative to maritime transport. This is an additional cost being imposed on Malta’s entire supply chain and it will ultimately be paid by Maltese businesses, families and consumers.”

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More than a third of Maltese family business increased their turnover between 2022 and 2025 but reported lower profits, according to the Malt Chamber Family Business Survey of 2026, announced on Thursday.

Malta Chamber Vice President Silvan Mifsud presented these results at “Turning Growth into Profit: Structure, Governance & Digitalisation in Family Business,” an event organised as part of Malta SME Week 2026.

The chamber’s cross-tabulation report sets the financial performance of 154 respondents from 2022 to 2025 against their sector, size, governance arrangements, strategic plans and priorities. It found that 57 firms, or 37%, reported higher turnover but lower profits. An identical number, also 37%, reported higher turnover alongside higher profits.

Growth was almost universal. In all, 142 of the 154 firms (92%) reported rising turnover, while 28 reported stagnant results and only 12 recorded lower turnover, ten of them with lower profits as well. The report calls the largest problem group “profitless growth”. It argues that the post-pandemic years gave family firms the chance to expand their market footprint, but that scaling up “fractured legacy cost structures and diluted margins”. The pressure is felt most acutely, it says, by mid-sized firms and by companies in importation and distribution.

The report concludes that growth without formal governance is a high-risk strategy. It says the dividing line between firms that create long-term value and those experiencing profitless growth is the move from informal, family-led execution to structured corporate professionalism, and that the businesses turning higher turnover into lasting corporate wealth are those that build independent boards, map out written strategic plans and pair automation with clean organisational design. It groups family businesses into two camps: a high-performing group it calls “offensive optimisation”, which it says is typically backed by regularly reviewed written strategic plans, often clustered in services and found in the largest size brackets, and a squeezed mid-market it calls “defensive structural engineering”.

The sharpest contrast in the tables was between firms with and without a formal plan. Of the 65 businesses with a written strategic plan that is regularly reviewed, 27 (41.5%) reported higher turnover and higher profits, while 17 (26.2%) reported higher turnover but lower profits. Among the 77 firms, half of all respondents, that said they did not have a plan but needed one, 36 (46.8%) fell into the profitless growth category and 26 (33.8%) reported higher profits. A further 12 said they did not need a plan. The report says operating without a formal blueprint severely damages a firm’s ability to capture financial value while scaling.

Performance also varied by sector. Services fared best, with 23 of 52 firms (44.2%) reporting higher turnover and higher profits. In importation and distribution, the largest group with 56 firms, 23 (41.1%) reported higher turnover but lower profits, which the report attributes to “competitive and inflationary compression”. It says service-oriented businesses are better equipped to turn top-line growth into profit, and that asset-light structures make it easier for them to preserve margins. Of the 16 manufacturers, five reported higher turnover and higher profits and five reported profitless growth.

Firm size also mattered. The report identifies a “scaling canyon” among mid-sized firms, where overheads rise before efficiencies materialise. Across the 10-to-30 and 31-to-50 employee bands, 28 of 64 firms (44%) reported profitless growth, although the tables show the share was higher still, at 47.8% (11 of 23), among firms with 101 to 250 employees. At the top end, nine of the 15 firms (60%) with more than 250 employees reported higher turnover and higher profits, the highest proportion of any size band, followed by 13 of the 24 firms (54.2%) with fewer than ten employees. The report reads the largest firms’ results as evidence of structural resilience and economies of scale.

Having a board did not, on its own, appear to protect firms from margin pressure. Some 109 of the 154 respondents (71%) said they had a functioning board that meets regularly to discuss performance and future direction. Yet 44 of them (40.4%) reported higher turnover but lower profits, compared with 13 of the 45 firms without a board (28.9%). The report says a board does not automatically shield a business from margin contraction, and suggests that larger, more mature firms, which are more likely to have boards, face stronger headwinds such as inflation and rising operational costs.

The make-up of the board appeared to make a difference. Of the 109 firms with boards, 55 included independent non-executive directors who are not family members. These firms were more likely to report stagnant profits (14 of 55, or 25.5%) than those with family-only boards (six of 54, or 11.1%). They were also less likely to report higher turnover but lower profits, at 36.4% against 44.4%, although slightly less likely to report higher turnover and higher profits, at 32.7% against 37.0%. The report says independent directors “seem” to introduce a stabilising framework that acts as a buffer against severe profit decay.

Respondents were also asked to rate a series of priorities from one to five, and the report reads the answers as a “reactive governance pattern”. Of the 31 firms that gave the top rating to improving corporate governance and adding independent non-executive directors, 15 (48.4%) were in the profitless growth category.

So were 24 of the 59 firms (40.7%) that gave the top rating to regular, timely reporting of financial performance and key performance indicators, and 20 of the 47 (42.6%) that gave it to running the family business on more professional lines. Professionalisation drew ratings of four or five from 98 of the 152 firms that answered. The report concludes that firms facing eroding margins are prioritising governance reform, digital investment and restructuring in response to negative financial results.

Digital transformation to automate processes and increase efficiency drew more top ratings than any other priority, with 56 of 152 firms giving it a five. Of these, 23 (41.1%) reported higher turnover and higher profits and 21 (37.5%) profitless growth. The report says high performers use automation offensively to unlock scalability, while margin-squeezed firms use it defensively to offset wage and logistics costs.

Among the 33 firms that rated investing in digital solutions such as CRM and ERP systems, rather than employing many more people, at four out of five, 17 (51.5%) reported higher turnover and higher profits. At the top rating, 14 of 39 firms (35.9%) reported higher profits and 16 (41.0%) lower profits, which the report says could reflect initial capital outlays and organisational changes compressing short-term margins.

On artificial intelligence, 16 of the 38 firms (42.1%) that gave the top rating to exploring its use were in the profitless growth category, and the report calls AI an exploratory remedy rather than an active driver of returns. Improving internal organisational structure drew ratings of four or five from 100 of the 152 firms, with higher and lower profit growth almost evenly split at the top two ratings (36.5% to 37.5% against 35.4% to 40.4%).

The findings are based on 154 respondents, or 152 for some questions, and several categories contain only a handful of firms. The tables show associations between variables rather than establishing cause.

The post 37% of Maltese family firms saw margins shrink despite higher turnover, survey shows first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Abela made these remarks during a consultative meeting with representatives of the General Workers’ Union at the GWU premises in Valletta, as part of the consultation process in preparation for Budget 2027.

Abela noted that the country is operating within an international context characterised by uncertainty and significant challenges.

He referred to the ongoing international discussions regarding these realities, including at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the pressures linked to international energy prices.

Despite this international context, Abela maintained that Malta will continue to offer certainty and peace of mind to businesses, which keep investing in our country and creating job opportunities, including quality jobs for Maltese and Gozitan workers.

He said that this sentiment is being felt across various economic sectors and emphasised that job creation has been, and will remain, a top priority for the government.

The Prime Minister explained that a strong labour market also creates the conditions for further progress regarding job quality and working conditions.

He cited, among other things, collective agreements, better wages, and increased opportunities for workers to advance their skills and careers. Abela said that this is achievable because our country possesses an economy and a labour market that are yielding results.

He also referred to the government’s continued support regarding energy prices.

Abela said that this ensures ongoing stability for families and businesses while helping to avert adverse effects on the Maltese economy.

The Prime Minister said that, in the face of an international landscape that remains unpredictable, the government will continue to serve as a source of stability and certainty.

Abela concluded by thanking the General Workers’ Union for the proposals submitted in preparation for the 2027 Budget, as well as for its ongoing daily efforts to safeguard workers.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg; Ministers Silvio Schembri, Miriam Dalli, Clyde Caruana, Jonathan Attard, Chris Bonett, Jo Etienne Abela, and Keith Azzopardi Tanti; Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said; MP Anthony Agius Decelis; and the Head of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Mark Mallia.

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Caruana however would not confirm whether the €1,000 super bonus promised to workers by the Labour Party during the election campaign will feature in the upcoming budget 2027, instead invoking biblical creation to urge patience.

Caruana stressed that a parliamentary mandate spans a five-year term and that “everything has its time.” While maintaining that the government fulfills its promises, he emphasised that current economic stewardship requires protecting public finances and shielding the nation from high energy costs.

When pressed about the bonus, he reiterated that budget preparations are underway but stated he would not compromise national economic safety for any single proposal.

Volatile diesel and energy costs

Speaking at the launch of the pre-budget document for 2027, Caruana said the government wanted to provide stability and give people “peace of mind” that the measures currently in place would continue.

Caruana told social partners that diesel and energy costs, which skyrocketed during the Hormuz crisis, are showing no signs of abating, painting a grim picture of the world’s energy supply.

Caruana said the decision to maintain the subsidies comes against a backdrop of continued volatility in European energy markets. EU consumer diesel prices increased over recent years, with prices in March 2026 exceeding the peak recorded during the 2022 energy crisis and remaining elevated thereafter.

Fuel prices also vary considerably across the European Union. Malta currently has the lowest consumer diesel price at €1.21 per litre, while the Netherlands has the highest at €2.58.

Caruana compared fuel prices in Malta with those in our nearest neighbour, Sicily. He explained that although this country is just a stone’s throw away from us, the price of diesel is almost double the price in Malta, while the price of petrol is 60% higher than in Malta.

European natural gas prices have also risen sharply since 2021, reaching a peak during the 2022 energy crisis. The average TTF price in 2025 was around three times the average recorded in 2019 and 2020, while prices have begun trending upwards again.

The ministry said energy security concerns were also linked to Europe’s gas-storage position. Storage levels were depleted following the colder 2025-26 winter, meaning the refill period began from a lower base than in recent years.

Electricity prices, meanwhile, rose sharply during the energy crisis. Although they stabilised somewhat between 2023 and 2025, they remained above pre-crisis levels.

Caruana cautioned that interconnector costs had doubled in March and were probably going to rise even more.

Removing subsidies would hit growth

Malta is on track to spend more on energy subsidies this year than it did during the height of the conflict in Ukraine, according to Caruana, who said the country faces a “economic catastrophe” if energy subsidies are eliminated.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused market prices to rise, Malta has had steady energy prices because of government subsidies protecting customers from price increases.

“In just a few months, energy prices have risen very significantly. Yet, in our country, fuel, electricity, and gas prices have remained unchanged. No other country is doing what we are doing. Malta is the only country that has continued to shield families and businesses from these heavy burdens,” Caruana said.

He explained that although energy and food subsidies decreased from €242.5 million in 2023 to €188.1 million in 2025, they are projected to rise significantly to €391.7 million in 2026, driven by ongoing global geopolitical tensions.

For 2027, subsidies are estimated to reach approximately €400 million. Added to this is an investment of €75 million in energy infrastructure.

“Over the past five years, this government has spent no less than €1.35 billion on energy subsidies. We are doing all this because we acted prudently and our country’s finances are strong. If the country’s finances were not strong, we would not be in a position to provide all this assistance,” the Minister said.

The pre-budget document estimates that removing the subsidies would have a persistent contractionary effect on the Maltese economy. Without the subsidies, the Maltese economy would suffer long-term repercussions, while jobs in the country would decline and unemployment would rise.

According to the government’s assessment, real GDP would be €235.5 million below the baseline in 2026 if the subsidies were removed. The effect on the labour market would emerge more gradually but would remain negative throughout the projection period.

Higher consumer prices would also feed into the Cost of Living Adjustment. Without the subsidies, the estimated COLA payment for 2027 would rise to €18.05, reflecting the impact of higher prices following their removal.

“The people should have peace of mind that that which we are doing, we will keep on doing,” Caruana said in reference to the subsidies.

“This is the time to protect our economy,” he said, adding that the budget would “guarantee a better future.”

He stated that although these are challenging times, the government will continue to offer stability in this sector to protect Maltese and Gozitan consumers while simultaneously maintaining economic stability.

Deficit falls below 3%

The Minister also highlighted Malta’s improving fiscal position.

The general government deficit fell from 3.4% of GDP in 2024 to 2.2% in 2025. The government said this performance allowed Malta to correct its excessive deficit two years earlier than had originally been committed.

Malta’s debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to remain below the 60% threshold and significantly below the EU and euro-area averages. Five EU member states continue to record debt-to-GDP ratios above 100%.

In absolute terms, however, general government debt increased from €5.7 billion at the end of 2019 to €11.4 billion at the end of 2025. The government attributed much of the increase to the financing of two successive and exceptional external shocks.

The pre-budget document also points to continued strength in the labour market. Malta recorded the highest employment rate in the EU, while the overall participation rate increased from 81.8% in 2024 to 82.6% in 2025, compared to the European Union average of 75.6%.

The country also boasts the highest employment rate in the EU, at 84.0% in the second quarter of 2026, compared to the European average of 76.4%.

Furthermore, in July 2026, Malta recorded one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU, well below both the EU and euro-area averages.

Inflation in Malta remained moderate over the past twelve months, with a rate of 2.1% recorded in July 2026-well below the European Union average of 3% and the Eurozone average of 2.9%.

Malta’s economic growth also outpaced the EU and euro area in 2025, with the country’s real economic growth exceeding the 1.4% recorded in the EU and 1.2% in the euro area.

Fiscal sustainability will remain a key priority in the coming years, Caruana said. In recent years, Malta’s deficit narrowed from 3.4% in 2024 to 2.2% in 2025; for 2026, it is projected to stand at 2.8% of GDP, remaining below the 3% threshold set by the European Commission.

Caruana said the upcoming budget would focus on stability, with the government opting to maintain measures aimed at shielding consumers and businesses from international energy-price pressures.

The pre-budget document is available on the Ministry for Finance website: finanzi.gov.mt.

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The Group expects the St George’s Bay project to generate €300 million in revenue over its first two years of operation, adding to the income generated by its established operating business.

The expansion follows a financial year in which the Group invested €123 million in property, plant and equipment, while its total assets increased to €750 million. Cash and cash equivalents stood at €99 million at March 2026, reflecting the Group’s emphasis on financial discipline and liquidity planning during the delivery of major projects.

The established business also continued to improve its profitability, with gross operating profit from existing properties increasing by €5 million over the previous year.

As reported in July, annual revenue grew by 12.2% to €111 million, supported by db Seabank Resort and Spa, db San Antonio Hotel and Spa, a full year’s contribution from Xemxija Bay Hotel and the expansion of the restaurant portfolio, including Aki London.

The inauguration of the 397-room Hard Rock Hotel Malta on 2 September marked a major milestone in the Group’s expansion. Forming part of the St George’s Bay development alongside St George’s Mall and ORA Residences, the hotel adds restaurants, bars, wellness facilities and event spaces to the Group’s hospitality portfolio.

The latest Financial Analysis Summary, published by SD Finance plc, projects Group revenue of €237 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2027, compared with €111 million in the previous year.

The updated outlook reflects the later commencement of operations at St George’s Bay and the timing of residential deliveries, including ORA Tower East. These factors principally explain the revision from the previous forecasts of €378 million in revenue and €181 million in EBITDA for the year ending March 2027.

Explaining the revised timetable, CEO Robert Debono said: “A delay of one or two months can move a residential delivery across our financial year-end, shifting the associated income into the following year. Our revised forecasts reflect that change in timing.”

“Seabank and San Antonio remain very profitable foundations of our business. St George’s Bay builds on that established base and itself brings together several sources of income, including hotel accommodation, restaurants, bars, retail and residential sales,” Debono added.

Alongside the development of its Malta operations, db Group continues to pursue international expansion through its planned Hard Rock development in Ras Al Khaimah.

The post db Group forecasts €104 million EBITDA as St George’s Bay enters operation first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

This substantial investment by the Freeport involved the complete replacement and modernisation of the medium-voltage switchgear and extensive refurbishment of the substation building, with all works carefully planned and executed while maintaining uninterrupted operations across the terminal.

The new medium-voltage switchgear was installed alongside the existing equipment, enabling the transfer of electrical circuits in phases without disrupting power supply to the terminal.

The upgraded distribution centre also includes a fully refurbished building envelope, with new doors and apertures to ensure an airtight environment, together with new air-conditioning systems, fire detection and alarm systems, and CCTV installations.

The project features Medelec’s locally factory-assembled MSGair medium-voltage switchgear, designed and manufactured in Malta in accordance with the internationally recognised IEC 62271-200 standard. The equipment has undergone independent type testing at the Cesi laboratories in Milan, confirming compliance with stringent international performance and safety requirements.

The new switchgear provides Malta Freeport Terminals with significant operational advantages. Its modular design allows for future expansion as the terminal’s electrical infrastructure continues to evolve, while the additional bus arrangement and ringed circuit capability substantially improves operational flexibility and network resilience.

The system has also been designed with safety and ease of operation as key priorities. All normal switching operations can be carried out with compartment doors closed, enhancing operator protection, while the equipment can be controlled both locally and through the terminal’s Scada system, providing greater operational flexibility.

Alex Montebello, chief executive officer at Malta Freeport Terminals, said the project represented another important investment in the terminal’s critical infrastructure.

“The reliability of our electrical distribution network is fundamental to maintaining the high levels of operational performance expected by our customers, and this upgrade provides us with a more resilient, flexible and future-ready system while ensuring the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency.”

David Fenech, Commercial manager at Medelec, said: “We are grateful to MFT’s chief engineering officer James Peter Alsop and his engineering team for the confidence they placed in Medelec and for the excellent cooperation shown throughout every stage of this project. Our team is proud to have contributed to another important milestone in Malta Freeport Terminals’ continued development.”

The successful completion of the project further reinforces Malta Freeport Terminals’ ongoing investment programme aimed at strengthening operational resilience, supporting future growth and ensuring the terminal continues to operate to the highest international standards.

The post Malta Freeport Terminals and Medelec complete major upgrade of primary distribution substation first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

IZI Group has exceeded €1 billion in turnover for the first time, as it reported strong growth across its operations during the financial year ended 30 June.

The Group’s audited results, announced by IZI Finance plc, show that turnover increased by 27.4% to €1.172 billion, while player winnings rose by 28.4% to €1.060 billion.

Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 18.3% to €110.9 million, while EBITDA rose 29.1% to €37.3 million. Operating profit climbed 63.8% to €19.4 million, while profit before tax more than doubled, increasing by approximately 102% to €14.4 million.

The Group attributed the improved performance principally to growth at National Lottery plc, supported by continued strong performance from its casino and interactive gaming operations.

IZI Group said its EBITDA margin on GGR improved to 33.7%, compared with 30.8% a year earlier, reflecting improved operational performance and profitability.

The Group generated €39.7 million in net cash from operating activities, around 40% more than the previous year. Cash and cash equivalents stood at €44.3 million at the end of June, while working capital improved to a surplus of €24.3 million.

During the year, the Group also issued €30 million in 5.5% unsecured bonds maturing in 2036, strengthening its capital and liquidity position and providing additional flexibility for future investment.

IZI said it invested further in its operations, distribution network, digital capabilities and organisational infrastructure, while continuing to focus on product innovation, operational efficiency and responsible gaming.

The Group also contributed €41.8 million to Malta’s economy and social causes during the year through concession fees, gaming taxes and contributions to the Social Causes Fund, the Responsible Gaming Foundation and sponsorships. This represented 37.7% of the Group’s GGR.

National Lottery plc retained its World Lottery Association Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification and Level 2 Security Control Standard Certification. It also obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management and became a full member of United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS).

Commenting on the results, IZI Group founder and CEO Johann Schembri said the €1 billion milestone in turnover and player winnings reflected the strength of the Group’s core businesses and investments in people, technology, products and distribution.

He said the Group was now entering the next phase of its strategy, with plans to further develop its Malta operations through product innovation, expansion of its distribution network, digital services and operational efficiencies, while also pursuing selected international opportunities.

The post IZI Group surpasses €1bn in turnover first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

A total of 9.96 million people across Europe and beyond shared their views on the future design of euro banknotes by completing the ECB’s public survey.

“This amazing number shows how much interest Europeans have in their future banknotes,” said President Christine Lagarde. “With them participating in the redesign process, an important step has been taken in preparing the next series of banknotes.”

2.6% of the euro area population took part in the survey, and interest was strong across all age groups, including younger generations, with two-thirds of responses coming from people under the age of 35. To ensure that the survey results accurately represent the euro area population, data will be analysed using standard statistical methods.

The survey ran between 23 July and 21 September 2026. It sought public opinions on ten shortlisted design proposals based on the themes “European culture” and “Rivers and birds”. A separate survey – run by an independent research company and targeting a representative sample of people in the euro area – was conducted using the same questions and is currently being finalised.

The results of the two surveys, together with the recommendations of the independent Design Contest Jury and a technical assessment, will inform the ECB Governing Council’s decision on the final design concept for the future euro banknotes, which is expected around the end of 2026. The ECB is not publishing the results for individual design proposals at this stage. After the decision, a detailed report on the surveys, including feedback on each proposal and results from different countries, will be published.

Following the Governing Council’s decision on the concept, the chosen design will be adapted and further developed to transform it into actual banknotes. The new banknotes will incorporate enhanced security features and improvements in accessibility and sustainability. The new banknotes should enter circulation gradually from the early 2030s. Euro banknotes currently in circulation will remain valid and continue to circulate alongside the new series.

The post Almost 10 million people took part in ECB survey on new euro banknotes first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The inaugural Malta Finance Week will take place from 13 – 15 October 2027. It will bring together regulators, industry leaders, policymakers, investors, academics and international stakeholders for a week of high-level panels, networking and thought leadership focused on the future of finance. 

The landmark event will showcase Malta’s financial services ecosystem and promote the jurisdiction as a credible, innovative and internationally connected financial centre. It will facilitate dialogue on the future of the sector, strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, and create opportunities for international engagement. 

The programme will be built around six themes: innovation and digital transformation; sustainable finance; capital markets and investment; FinTech and emerging technologies; regulatory excellence and resilience; and international competitiveness.

Malta Finance Week 2027 coincides with FinanceMalta’s 20th anniversary and the MFSA’s 25th anniversary, making the event an opportunity to reflect on the achievements to date while looking towards the next chapter. 

Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of the MFSA, said: “We are delighted to be launching Malta Finance Week as the premier platform on which to demonstrate to the world the depth and maturity of Malta’s financial services sector, and to set out our vision for the industry. It will bring together industry, policymakers, regulators and international peers, with meaningful cross-sector dialogue being essential to preparing financial services for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Trust, stability and market integrity remain the foundation of everything we do, and it is precisely on that strong foundation that innovation can flourish responsibly within a robust regulatory framework. We look forward to illustrating this at Malta Finance Week.” 

George Vella, Chairman of FinanceMalta, said: “Malta’s success as an international financial centre has always been built on collaboration across the whole ecosystem, from practitioners and regulators to policymakers and investors. Malta Finance Week will bring that ecosystem together and showcase it to a global audience. The event is an opportunity to show the world what Malta offers, to open doors for investment, and to set the agenda for ensuring the future competitiveness of our flourishing financial services industry.” 

Malta Finance Week is intended to become a permanent fixture in the international calendar. By bringing the sector’s full ecosystem together in one place, it will reinforce the jurisdiction’s reputation for combining innovation with strong regulation and give participants a front-row seat to the opportunities emerging in FinTech, digital assets and sustainable finance. Over time, the event is expected to support long-term growth and international visibility for the sector while providing a lasting platform for thought leadership and industry collaboration.

A short film introducing Malta Finance Week was premiered at the launch and is available here. Further details on the programme, venue, speakers and registration will be announced in the coming months.

The post MFSA and FinanceMalta launch Malta Finance Week 2027 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

During a meeting with Delta Air Lines Vice President Scott Jordan, discussions focused on the performance of the direct route between New York – JFK and Malta, which began operating three times a week in June this year. The route recorded an average seat load factor of 84% up to 21 September. An encouraging result that reflects strong demand for this direct connection.

In light of this positive performance, discussions focused on the possibility of extending the route into 2027. Further collaboration to promote Malta in the American market was also discussed. The Prime Minister noted that the direct connection to New York is already delivering added value for tourism and business while opening up further opportunities for connectivity with the US market.

In a separate meeting with BlackRock, one of the world’s largest investment management companies, discussions centred on opportunities for further investment in Malta. The Prime Minister highlighted the strong performance of the Maltese economy, the country’s stability and the ongoing work to attract high-quality investment in strategic and innovative sectors.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that Malta must remain a credible and competitive partner for international investors, while ensuring that the investment attracted to the country continues to create quality jobs and new opportunities for Maltese and Gozitan workers and businesses.

“These meetings reflect our continued efforts to strengthen Malta’s connectivity and attract further high-quality investment to our country. Our objective is clear. To build a stronger and more competitive economy that creates better opportunities for people, businesses and future generations,” said Prime Minister Robert Abela.

The post PM Abela meets leading international companies to strengthen Malta’s connectivity and attract further investment first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.