The roles of the unit will include gathering intelligence and information related to suspicious betting and will work in liaison with local and foreign regulatory authorities, law enforcement agencies, betting monitoring systems, sporting bodies and gaming operators in order to investigate irregular and suspicious betting activity. 

MGA Senior Executive Antonio Zerafa as Sports Integrity Officer will represent the head of the unit. Mr Zerafa has been at the MGA for four years and has held various positions within the Criminal Probity Screening Department, as well as the Enforcement Directorate as Secretary to the MGA’s Fit and Proper Committee. 

“Having a dedicated Sports Integrity Unit is vital for the MGA’s statutory objective to ensure that gambling is free from crime, specifically the manipulation of sports competitions,” said Heathcliff Farrugia, MGA’s Chief Executive Officer.  

“The MGA is committing to cooperation with stakeholders to the extent permitted by law to act against a pervasive phenomenon that threatens the integrity of both the sports and the betting industries,” Mr Farrugia added. 

In addition, Mr Zerafa has a Degree in Criminology from the University of Malta where he is also a visiting lecturer, a Master’s Degree in Counter Fraud and Counter Corruption Studies from the University of Portsmouth, and is currently reading for a PhD in Law and Criminology with a focus on gaming-related crime at the Sheffield Hallam University.

The post MGA launches new sports integrity unit first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“While Malta continues to be a nation of homeowners, these regulations are expected to regulate and consequently support the growth of the rental property market as an alternative to homeownership, by curtailing abuse and tax evasion,” according to CSB Group.

Recognising the market as loosely regulated when compared to other markets in Malta, the Maltese government has voiced intentions to solidify a framework for the vertical, hence tabled proposals for the consideration of the parliament.

The proposals include several points that are aiming to make the market more transparent, and players more accountable. For example, all rental agreements concluded after 1 January 2020 and the ones already ended and expiring in 2021 or later need to be registered with the Housing Authority. Non-compliance will lead to fines. 

Long-term rental agreements will receive support through fiscal incentives. Short-let contracts will need to be of six-month maximum duration and this will affect non-resident workers, non-resident students and those non-residents who plan a long stay in Malta. The new regulations will also leave tourism rentals unaffected.

Although the proposed regulations do not intend to touch upon prices of rental properties to let the market freely fluctuate, annual rental increases will come under scrutiny.   

Both the lessor who wants to evict a tenant and the tenant wishing to terminate the lease agreement will have to give notice in accordance with the periods which will be prescribed in the regulations.

In addition, should a disagreement be taken to the court, lessors can evict a tenant at the first hearing, doing away with the long delays usually associated with court proceedings.

CSB Group believes that the proposed regulations are part of the government’s general vision for the property market.

These regulations include the government’s last budget proposal to introduce the introduction of the concept of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) into Maltese law. REITs invest in real estate from which income is generated, and can be expected to grow within an economy such as Malta’s, according to CSB Group.

The post Proposed rental property reform seen to support growth first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The use of these kick scooters in public spaces is illegal, hence, Transport Malta Enforcement Officers have issued fines with regards to such use. “The fines are set by the ‘subsidiary legislation regulating Electronic Scooters, SL65.26 – Low-powered vehicles and pedal cycles regulations’,” the statement sent by TM adds. Transport Malta, however, states that the authority is “currently reviewing its policies and draft regulations about the use of electronic [kick] scooters,” the statement sent to BM concludes.

As electric [kick] scooters are easily accessible at low prices, people are increasingly in favour of using them to commute, which is convenient given Malta’s small size and heavy congestion on its roads. Still, these electric [kick] scooters can ride up to 25-30 kph, which makes them fall closer to motorised vehicles than children’s toys on the spectrum of vehicles. Hence, riding them in pedestrian areas can be dangerous, while joining traffic on the roads includes liabilities that need due regulation.

EDITORIAL NOTE: The present story has been updated with a clarification in reference to the word “electric kick scooter”. For further information between electric kick scooters and electric bike scooters please see our Style Guide.

The post TM reviews electric kick scooter policies as public use remains illegal first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Entitled “Pillar 1 – Regulatory Sandbox and Other Strategic Objectives: Briefing and Consultation”, the workshop aspires to provide an in-depth overview of the Consultation Document and to engage with the audience and stakeholders for feedback. Prospective Sandbox participants, collaborators and stakeholders from finance, law and technology are all invited to attend this workshop and communicate their views.

The MFSA launched a public consultation on the first pillar of its six-pillar Fintech Strategy earlier in July. This regulatory pillar comprises of four key areas, one of which is the creation of a testing-ground known as the Regulatory Sandbox. Such a scheme acts as an attractive option for Malta to become a hub for financial service companies to test out (almost in a controlled laboratory setting), their regulatory or commercial projects with actual financial consumers, the press statement sent to BM says.

The workshop will start with an introductory speech by Kenneth Farrugia, FinanceMalta Chairman, followed by an overview on the Pillar 1 regulations which will be delivered by Christopher Buttigieg – Chief Officer, Strategy, Policy and Innovation at MFSA.

Other speakers during the FinanceMalta workshop include:

• Tom Bull – Associate Partner, EY UK Fintech Leader,
• Joseph Cini – Analyst, FinTech and Innovation at MFSA,
• Leonard Bonello – Partner at GANADO Advocates,
• Ian Gusman – Analyst, FinTech and Innovation at MFSA,
• Joshua Ellul – Chairman of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority,
• Abdalla Kablan – Director at wyzer.ai & Caledo Tech,
• Luciano Brincat – Senior Analyst, FinTech and Innovation at MFSA, Stephen McCarthy – CEO of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, and
• Ian Gauci – Managing Partner at GTG Advocates.

The event is open for registered delegates. The official website of the event carries further information about the workshop and registration process.

The post FinanceMalta, MFSA to hold fintech workshop on regulations first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“Although there are regulations for aviation and aircraft, and drones do fall under that category, there is no drone regulation currently in place,” Ms Ferrando says about the drone usage landscape in Malta. “Additionally, while the Air Navigation Order does apply to drone operations, this law was set in the nineties, when nobody thought about drones in their current form,” she adds when describing the present sentiment. Therefore, the European Union regulations just passed and entering into effect next year come in a timely manner.

Due to being easily accessible in the market, users often falsely assume that drones are rather toys, however, flying them outdoors poses numerous risks and can bring danger to the airspace of any country. The regulations are expected to break down the misconceptions related to drones.

The new EU rules regulate both the technical and operational requirements for drone usage. In fact, each and every drone must be registered in the member state, where the owner resides or their main place of business is by June 2020. The two regulations came into force within 20 days of 11 June, however, they will only be applicable as of June 2020. Ms Ferrando says this will bring peace of mind to the market. Furthermore, she notes that the European Union passed regulations and not directives, so the rules will be automatically applicable in all member states.

The environment will be unified, which means that instead of haphazard rules in every member state, the same guidelines will apply everywhere. Nevertheless, Malta does slightly stand out due to the fact that the air space is entirely controlled.

Malta’s controlled airspace

“Malta is a very specific country. Usually, we talk about controlled and uncontrolled airspace — most countries have both. However, Malta only has controlled airspace. Generally, drones are not allowed within the controlled airspace in other countries. Therefore, local authorities will set out how drone usage could work in Malta, within the controlled airspace,” Ms Ferrandio explains. The professional adds that this falls under the scope of Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate.

Flying drones can also raise privacy issues, especially if the unmanned aircraft is equipped with a camera that records either private properties or passers-by in public spaces. Ms Ferrando underscores that the data protection and privacy laws already cover for this. “Regardless of anything else, legislation already in place must be followed. A collection of images of identifiable individuals may be subject to data protection law. That of course also applies to drones flying with recording devices on board.”

At the moment, if an individual is planning to fly a drone, they are required to fill in a self-declaration form on Transport Malta’s website. “If the individual can answer yes to all the listed requirements, they can self-declare that they abide by the conditions or operational requirements. If one cannot approve one of the elements on the list, they need to apply for a single permit, for now at least,” Ms Ferrando says.

How will the new regulations change the drone game in Malta? “They will definitely increase the certainty that we do not currently have in Malta, or anywhere else in the European Union. Having a law gives certainty in terms of what is meant to be done. The regulations will also bring a uniform playing field across the bloc, which is another advantage,” Ms Ferrando adds.

Nevertheless, the adoption of the regulations is only the first step. Further guidance will be issued by the end of the year related to how the rules have to be applied. At the same time, there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration. “Right now air traffic management regulates only manned aircraft. With the increase of drone operations lair traffic management will be required for both manned and unmanned aircraft. This is also going to be an exciting development,” Ms Ferrando concludes.

The post EU drone regulation to bring peace of mind to Malta’s airspace first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Mr Muscat gave a keynote speech at the Cannabis Europa conference on Tuesday 25t June 2019 in order to express the medical cannabis story in Malta, explaining the economic context in which it operates. 

“Malta is a country open for business. The government has had an open-door policy to those coming with great ideas. But our strength does not come from open doors only. It comes from being straightforward with businesses. We lay down the rules, strict and transparent regulations that offer a level playfield, without surprises,” said Mr Muscat.  

“That is what we did with the medical cannabis companies that approached us to set up their business in Europe, through Malta. This sector in fact already contributes to Malta’s economic growth,” he added.  

“Just over a year ago, in April 2018, we enacted the bill of law to provide for the ‘Production of Cannabis for Medical and Research Purposes’. This made us the first EU Member State to provide a holistic regulatory framework for medical cannabis,” continued Mr Muscat. “Some would claim regulation might scare off business. To the contrary the regulations attract business. The right kind of business.”

The post PM Muscat says strict, transparent regulations attract businesses first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“The Kamra tal-Periti has not been provided with a copy of said regulations, and the only information we have so far is the following: (a) The Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects which one can find here; and (b) The Ministerial Statement read in Parliament by the Minister, together with the subsequent questions and answers, which one can follow here (minute 32.20 onwards),” the press statement says.

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti says that “there is a lack of clarity between the principles made in the statement and certain statements made in Parliament,” while also notes that in the absence of having a copy of the Legal Notice in hand, “it is premature for the council to comment further at this stage,” according to the press statement sent to BM.

The Kamra sent a letter to the minister, asking to clarify a number of points. At the same time, the Kamra also asked for a meeting prior to the publication of the legal notice.

“Periti [Maltese word for architects] have been requested to inform their clients that the Legal Notice is expected to come into force today and that any obligations arising therefrom will be applicable to any ongoing demolition, excavation and construction works as per Ministerial Statement,” the press release adds.

After the walls of three buildings collapsed in the past two months in Malta near construction sites, forcing the government to temporarily halt demolition and excavation works, the Kamra called for an extraordinary general meeting. Prior to the EGM the Kamra published its preliminary position, and after the EGM the Kamra pledged commitment to improving the public safety of citizens and urged the government to enter discussions with the association. The Kamra also welcomed the recent listing of licensed masons published on the website of the Building Regulation Office (BRO).

The post Kamra tal-Periti sends letter to minister to clarify new regulations first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.