Malta climbs global FDI rankings as it sharpens focus on fintech, skills and ESG

“We know we cannot compete on scale. But we can lead on innovation” – Dr Bernice Buttigieg, Chief Strategy Officer, FinanceMalta

Over this past year, Malta has made a significant leap in the international investment landscape, rising 50 places to rank 33rd in the 2025 Greenfield FDI Performance Index, according to fDi Intelligence. This outstanding progress positions Malta as the top climber worldwide and underscores the country’s growing appeal as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).

The improvement reflects Malta’s strategic advantages, namely its central EU location, a stronger regulatory framework, and a renewed commitment to innovation.

These factors have boosted investor confidence, with companies like Turkish industrial firm Gimas, which recently announced a $7.5 million subsidiary in Malta to produce wind turbine components, marking an expansion of the country’s industrial base.

Dr. Bernice Buttigieg, Chief Strategy Officer at FinanceMalta, described the achievement as “very positive news for Malta” and highlighted the broader context in which this achievement was obtained.

“This leap in the FDI Performance Index reflects Malta’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment aligned with global investment trends. Our focus on fintech, sustainable finance, and digital innovation is positioning Malta as a competitive player on the international stage.”

Dr Buttigieg also reiterated this commitment when she recently addressed the Financial Centre Futures Webclave, hosted by Z/YEN and the China Development Institute where she noted how Malta continued to actively address its structural challenges, particularly in skills and reputation, to strengthen its position as an EU financial hub.

“The pace of regulatory and technological change is outstripping the traditional talent pipeline. Our focus now is on aligning education, industry needs, and migration policy to ensure long-term resilience for this sector,” she said.

The financial services sector already contributes 8.2% of Malta’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and has grown its workforce by 21.6% since 2020. To sustain this momentum, Malta is preparing to launch a financial skills mapping and forecasting programme under its Vision 2050 agenda, guiding both workforce planning and international talent acquisition.

Other initiatives include regulatory innovation through sandboxes and engagement mechanisms to support fintech entrants while upholding integrity as well as sustainability measures, such as Malta’s participation in the EU-funded Train4ESG programme and a market gap analysis to embed ESG standards across its ecosystem.

Funds modernisation, including the Notified Professional Investor Fund (Notified PIF), offering streamlined, EU-compliant efficiency for cross-border managers and family offices.

Dr. Buttigieg, who also serves as a Director of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC), stressed the importance of collaboration.

“We know we cannot compete on scale. But we can lead on innovation, offering efficiency, regulatory clarity, and EU access for those who value a more agile jurisdiction.”

With record-breaking gains in FDI performance and a forward-looking strategy anchored in skills, fintech, and ESG, Malta is positioning itself as one of Europe’s most dynamic financial hubs.