Malta Enterprise appoints new CEO

Kurt Farrugia has been appointed the CEO of Malta Enterprise by the Board of Directors, taking the role from Mario Galea on his retirement, as of 1 August, according to a press statement the Malta Enterprise sent to Business Malta. Mr Galea will remain as the chief advisor to the new CEO.

Kurt Farrugia was appointed Head of Government Communication and as the prime minister’s spokesperson in 2013. In August 2017, he was appointed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on the Malta-UK Business Promotion Task Force, where he worked on investment promotion in the United Kingdom. In April 2019 he was appointed on the New Economic Niches Committee of Malta Enterprise.

Mr Farrugia also formed part of the task force organising the Valletta Summit on Migration and the Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting held in 2015, as well as the Informal European Council during Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in February 2017. He accompanied the prime minister in most of his international engagements at EU level.

Mr Farrugia’s career before his role at the Office of the Prime Minister was in journalism and politics. He is a communications graduate and is currently reading for a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Malta.

“Kurt Farrugia’s years of experience as part of the prime minister’s team — which oversaw a record economic growth and record investment — will help the corporation build on the successes of recent years and take it to a new phase of its development,” said William Wait, Chairman of Malta Enterprise.

“His energetic character, focus on upcoming niches and experience in the communications field will continue building on the corporation’s internal capacity in assisting business. On the other hand, we are happy to secure Mr Galea’s services as his extensive experience will ensure a smooth transition within Malta Enterprise,” he added.

Retiring after 35 years

“Malta Enterprise thanks Mario Galea for more than 35 years of sterling service to the corporation,” the press statement comments on the current CEO’s retirement.

Mr Galea was appointed CEO in June 2016 after serving as CEO at Malta Industrial Parks and Principal Chief Officer at Malta Enterprise. During his term, he oversaw a record number of projects approved by Malta Enterprise, including the establishment of major new businesses in Malta, such as Crane Currency and Barts and the London School of Dentistry and Medicine among others, as well as the expansion of practically all major FDI companies.

The Malta Enterprise acknowledges his work as instrumental in building a number of niche sectors including ICT, aviation and life sciences, including pharmaceuticals and medical cannabis.