The Malta Development Bank (MDB), in collaboration with the European Association of Guarantee Institutions (AECM), hosted a high-level technical workshop on digital financing, bringing together 20 leading European institutions, including guarantee institutions and promotional banks. This event provided a valuable platform for collaboration, equipping institutions with the insights needed to better support businesses in leveraging digital innovation, while exploring the key challenges and opportunities surrounding the future of digital financing.
MDB Chairman Leo Brincat outlined the key challenges in financing digital innovation, including assessing the risks of emerging technologies, tailoring financial instruments to the needs of digital ventures, and bridging market gaps to enable sustainable, scalable growth. He underscored the pivotal role of promotional banks like MDB in supporting businesses as they innovate, expand, and adapt to the digital transition.
Opening the session, AECM President Guy Selbherr emphasised that innovation is no longer an option but a necessity for growth and resilience. He noted that as SMEs embrace the digital and AI revolution, they face both challenges and exceptional opportunities. “Our role is critical in facilitating this transformation through innovative financing solutions, ensuring businesses can embrace the future with confidence,” he stated.
MDB CEO Paul V. Azzopardi highlighted the transformative impact of digitalisation on economies, arguing that innovation is not just an opportunity but a necessity. He emphasised four key enablers for digital financing: intellectual property, education and skills, collaboration, and collateral. “At MDB, we continue to strengthen our expertise and financing tools to support businesses and the economy in this evolving digital era. Together, we can ensure that innovation drives growth and remains a force for good,” Mr Azzopardi explained.
The seminar served as a valuable platform for extensive knowledge-sharing, with presentations and discussions focused on digital financing, including case studies from Malta, and a special presentation on eCabs Technologies’ digitalisation efforts. Representatives from APS Bank, Bank of Valletta, and HSBC Bank Malta explored the role of Maltese banks in financing digital projects, examining the current risk appetite for digital investments and how financial institutions are supporting innovation in this space.
The workshop also facilitated the exchange of insights and best practices from like-minded institutions such as Finnvera (Finland), Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (Poland), the Romanian Counter Guarantee Fund, and Wallonie Entreprendre (Belgium). This collaborative exchange is vital for enhancing the MDB’s own product and service offerings, ensuring that the knowledge gained will be leveraged to better support the digital transformation of local businesses and the wider Maltese economy.
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