If your question is not answered on this page, please contact us on info@maltaenterprise.com
Why was Malta Enterprise set up?
What is the strategy adopted by Malta Enterprise?
What is the structure of Malta Enterprise?
Where are Malta Enterprise's offices located?
What support services does Malta Enterprise offer?
What incentives are provided by Malta Enterprise?
Who can benefit from these incentives?
What are the procedures for setting up a business in Malta?
What are the costs of setting-up operations in Malta?
Can Malta Enterprise help me find the relevant services to set up a business in Malta?
Are there any restrictions on foreign investment in Malta?
Where can I get information on Corporate Tax and VAT?
Can I patent my idea for a business before someone else uses it?
Which companies have invested in Malta?
What are the main characteristics of the Maltese workforce?
Where can I find qualified employees?
What do foreign investors think about investing in Malta?
What can Enterprise Europe Network do for my company?
Can network partners help organise meetings with companies in other European countries?
Is European funding available through the network?
Can the network assist with marketing and commercial transactions?
What about the legal and IPR aspects of technology transfer?
Does the network handle all types of businesses and technologies?
Can the network help with business and technology cooperation outside the EU?
Will my request be treated in confidence?
Do I need work/permit visa to work in Malta?
Where can I get general information about Malta?
What is the level of education in Malta?
What is the level of medical care in Malta?
What type of property can one find in Malta?
Q1. Malta Enterprise
1.1 Why was Malta Enterprise set up?
Malta Enterprise is the agency responsible for the promotion of foreign investment and industrial development in Malta. It was set up with the aim of sustaining Malta’s overall competitiveness to create the right environment for successful enterprise in Malta. It offers assistance and advice to those who seek to learn more about the multitude of business and investment opportunities available on the island.
1.2 What is the strategy adopted by Malta Enterprise?
The current strategy of Malta Enterprise is based upon the following main pillars:
- To attract and support new FDI that positively impact Malta’s economy through increasing value-added.
- Facilitate and assist established FDI and indigenous enterprises to consolidate and expand their operations in Malta.
- Nurture innovative start-ups with high growth potential.
- Improve Malta’s competitive advantage by promoting innovation, technology and industrial R&D.
- Engage with stakeholders on policies, laws, regulations, resources and infrastructure conducive to investment and economic wealth.
1.3 What is the structure of Malta Enterprise?
The Corporation operates under a Board which is appointed by the Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment. Its Chief Executive Office reports to the Board and is responsible for the daily management of the corporation. A Senior Management Team deals with the ongoing delivery of the corporation’s services. The Management Team is split into four operating divisions spanning various business disciplines namely:
- Business Development
-
Strategy, Knowledge Management & Innovation
- Incentives
- Corporate functions
1.4 Where are Malta Enterprises offices located?
The Corporation’s head office is located at the San Gwann Industrial Estate, Malta while its Gozo office is located at the Xewkija Industrial Estate in Gozo. Its Incubation Centre (KBIC) is located at the Kordin Industrial Estate. Besides its local offices, Malta Enterprise has 3 overseas branches – one in Libya (Tripoli), one in Germany (Munich) and another in the UAE (Dubai). Click here to connect to the Contact Details page.
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Q2. Malta Enterprise Support Services
2.1 What support services does Malta Enterprise offer?
Malta Enterprises boasts a team of experienced specialists aligned by specific sectors/industrial sectors in order to ensure maximum hands-on support to existing clients and also to prospective new investors or new clients. Their primary role is to assist such clients through the various phases of their set-up in Malta or their expansion process.
In addition to its central investment promotion function, Malta Enterprise has the task of promoting Malta’s external trade by helping locally-based companies to internationalise. Due to its economic and commercial linkages between the countries of the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean, Malta remains the ideal base from which to penetrate the markets in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Malta Enterprise also supports innovative start-ups through its Kordin Business Incubation Centre (KBIC). The Centre provides a cost-effective business environment including administrative, financial and marketing assistance.
2.2 What incentives are provided by Malta Enterprise?
The incentives are subdivided into six (6) separate themes, namely:
- Investment Aid: Companies engaged in specific activities can benefit from tax credits on capital investment and job creation.
- SME Development: Grants targeting the creation and development of innovative start-ups, and the development of forward looking small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Enterprise Support: Assistance to businesses to support them in developing their international competitiveness, improving their processes and networking with other businesses.
- R&D and Innovation: Various incentives will be offered to stimulate innovative enterprises to engage in research & development.
- Access to Finance: Companies may be assisted through loan guarantees, soft loans, loan interest subsidies or royalty financing in the case of highly innovative projects.
- Training & Employment : These incentives are administered by the Employment & Training Corporation. Enterprises are supported in recruiting new employees and training their staff.
2.3 Who can benefit from these incentives?
Malta Enterprise provides incentives for foreign direct investors and local enterprises demonstrating commitment towards growth and increase in value added and employment. Enterprises engaged in manufacturing, ICT development activities, Call Centres, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotechnology, among others, may benefit from these incentives. For more details contact our representatives on info@maltaenterprise.com
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Q3. Investing in Malta
3.1 What are the procedures for setting up a business in Malta?
International companies may invest and establish a business in Malta on equal terms with local enterprises. Foreign investors can register a company directly with the Malta Financial Services Authority, which can be contacted via their website www.mfsa.com.mt
3.2 What are the costs of setting-up operations in Malta?
Malta Enterprise has put together a detailed dossier entitled Basic Data which gives a very good overview of operating costs in Malta such as: wages, electricity/gas/petroleum, communication, property as well as costs related to company formation (download). Additional information can be obtained from the Business Development Unit on e-mail: info.bd@maltaenterprise.com
3.3 Can Malta Enterprise help me find the appropriate services to set up a business in Malta?
Malta Enterprise representatives can introduce you to professionals (e.g. legal firms, auditors, management consultants, etc) who can be able provide you with the appropriate information and assist you with company registration, visa applications, tax procedures as well as employment procedures.
3.4 Are there any restrictions on foreign investment in Malta?
There are no constraints on direct foreign investment or foreign participation in Maltese industrial companies and joint ventures.
3.5 Where can I get information on Corporate Tax and VAT?
Detailed information on the tax system in Malta can be found on www.ird.gov.mt while information on VAT can be obtained from the VAT Department on www.vat.gov.mt
3.6 Can I patent my idea for a business before someone else uses it?
For information on patents, trade marks, copyrights etc, contact the Industrial Property Registration office on Tel: (+356) 2569 0223 Fax: (+356) 2569 0388
3.7 Which companies have invested in Malta?
Many renowned firms have chosen Malta as a base for their operations. These include Actavis, Baxter, Cardinal Health, Crimsonwing, De La Rue Currency & Security Print, Dedicated Micros, Fraser Eagle, Hetronic, HSBC, Lufthansa Technik, Playmobil, Siegfried Generics, STMicroelectronics, Toly Products, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, and Uniblue Systems. The ICT sector is also well represented through Microsoft, HP, Oracle, and IBM amongst others.
3.8 What are the main characteristics of the Maltese workforce?
Maltese employees are reputed for their high levels of productivity and excellent work ethic. The Maltese are multi-skilled, well educated and equally important, experienced with technology. Each year, Malta has a steady influx of undergraduates and new students entering further and higher education. In fact, the standard of degree courses is highly regarded outside Malta, particularly in the fields of engineering, pharmacy, computer science, medicine, commerce and related subjects.
At the more practical level, there is an ample supply of employees with internationally recognised diplomas from the vocational college, the Malta College of Science, Arts & Technology (MCAST). Here again, Malta’s small size works to industry’s advantage. If there is a skills shortage in any area, courses will quickly be introduced. Even the University of Malta is responsive to the needs of industry and under the guidance of Malta Enterprise, will introduce degree courses to cater for the skill requirements of new or existing industries.
3.9 Where can I find qualified employees?
The Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) is Malta’s public employment service. It maintains a register of people seeking employment, captures job vacancies from employers and tries to match the two. A nation-wide computerised job seekers’ database is in use. The Corporation is also responsible for the processing of work permits issued to foreigners. The ETC can be contacted via its website www.etc.gov.mt
3.10 What do foreign investors think about investing in Malta?
The Maltese workforce in the pharmaceutical industry is a highly dedicated one, as well as very efficient and hard working.
Sergio Vella, Managing Director, Actavis Malta (October 2007)
The main advantages of Malta for us are the English language skills that are here. Also, the costs in Malta are actually substantially lower than the UK for office space and for staffing costs, which means we can run a very efficient operation compared to running things from the UK.
David Walsh, Chief Executive Officer, Crimsonwing
(October 2007)
The industrial incentives package along with workers skills and flexibility, were the major pluses for the company. We chose Malta for our new e-passport factory because De La Rue has a long established and successful track record of operating a banknote production facility in Malta.
Ron Feenan, General Manager, De La Rue Currency & Security Print (October 2007)
If you need qualified and highly trained labour at a reasonable cost to carry out product development, sales and marketing as well as production, then Malta is the place to invest. Likewise Malta Enterprise has always been a very good partner whenever we need anything for our company.
Helga Ellul, CEO, Playmobil Malta (October 2007)
I think the quality of life is much more relaxed and I do tend to get more done in this relaxed environment, and that clearly is beneficial to the company’s growth.
Kevin Dean - Managing Director, Fraser Eagle (October 2007)
What leads to Toly's success here in Malta? I would say the number one answer to that has to be our people. I think the quality, the flexibility, the reliability of the people in Malta is second to none.
Andy Gatesy, Chairman & CEO, Toly Products (October 2007)
Malta is very geographically central and it's very easy to access the rest of Europe and indeed the rest of the world. A 100% of our operations are based here - from sales and marketing to quality assurance and development. Also with English being an official language and the standard of education being high, we find Malta an excellent place to set up a software development company.
Hilary Rogers, Public Relations Manager, Uniblue System Ltd (October 2007)
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Q4. Internationalisation
Information currently being updated.
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Q5. Enterprise Europe Network
5.1 What can Enterprise Europe Network do for my company?
Enterprise Europe Network can help you with developing business activities or technological cooperation and provide advice on support for innovative business.
5.2 Can network partners help organise meetings with companies in other European countries?
Yes, network partners regularly organise missions and brokerage events for local SMEs everywhere in Europe and beyond.
5.3 Is European funding available through the network?
The network can provide assistance and advice to enterprises seeking help in looking for debt and risk capital, participating in the various EU funded programmes, particularly those that target SMEs, but does not provide finance directly to companies.
5.4 Can the network assist with marketing and commercial transactions?
The network can assist in finding business partners and in the development of cross-border business and technology cooperation between companies or research institutes, but cannot help companies sell their products and services.
5.5 What about the legal and IPR aspects of technology transfer?
A network partner can advise on intellectual property rights in general. When dealing with complex matters, it will indicate experts, such as the IPR Helpdesk (www.ipr-helpdesk.org) or patent lawyers.
5.6 Does the network handle all types of businesses and technologies?
Yes. Although some partners are focused on business cooperation, while others specialise in technology transfers, SMEs have local access to both types of services through the one stop shop.
5.7 Can the network help with business and technology cooperation outside the EU?
Yes. The network has contact points outside the Union as well. Besides the 27 Member States the Enterprise Europe Network has partners in Turkey, the Western Balkans, the EEA countries and other third countries.
5.8 Will my request be treated in confidence?
Yes. Any commercially sensitive information will be treated in confidence.
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Q6. Working and Living in Malta
6.1 Do I need a work permit/visa to work in Malta?
As an EU member, Malta's requirements on visas fall in line with EU policy. For information on entry visa requirements, contact the nearest Malta Embassy of High Commission. For a complete list of Malta’s Diplomatic Missions abroad, you may visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.foreign.gov.mt
Information related to work permits can be obtained from the Employment & Training Corporation (ETC) Malta via their website www.etc.gov.mt
6.2 Where can I get general information about Malta?
The introductory pages on the Malta Enterprise website titled Malta in Brief will give you a good overview of general information on Malta. Another useful source is the website of the Malta Tourism Authority www.visitmalta.com
6.3 What is the level of education in Malta?
The educational system in Malta is first rate, offering numerous private, international and public schools, institutes and a university of the highest standards. The educational system is split into 3 main sectors: Primary education extending from age 5 to 11; Secondary Education from age 11 to 16; and Tertiary Education. Education is compulsory from age 5 to 16. Parents can opt to send their children to a State, Church or Private school. Kindergartens are also widely found in most towns and villages accommodating children between 3 and 5 years of age.
Each year Malta has a steady influx of undergraduates and new students entering further and higher education while many are also obtaining internationally recognised diplomas from the vocational college, the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST). The standard of degree courses is highly regarded outside Malta, particularly in the fields of engineering, pharmacy, computer science, medicine, commerce and related subjects.
6.4 What is the level of medical care in Malta?
Malta offers a very high standard of healthcare with easily accessible facilities. One finds the recently opened new Mater Dei general hospital as well as another smaller hospital in Gozo, together with three private hospitals and several clinics, all equipped with advanced facilities. Private medical care is provided at a charge. The competence of the Maltese medical profession is well known and the island’s hospitals are able to handle most complicated surgical interventions.
6.4 What type of property can one find in Malta?
Malta offers varied accommodation to suit all tastes and seasons. There are numerous apartments, maisonettes, townhouses, farmhouses, villas as well as houses of characters that one can choose from. Property can be purchased or rented on short-term and long-term lets. Prices depend on the type of property, its finish and location. Most rented property is finished to high standards. For the purchase or rental of property, one can go through estate agents, individual brokers or by checking out the various advertisements appearing on local newspapers.
In the case of the purchase of property, a government permit may be required. Further information on property buying regulations can be found on the Ministry of Finance website www.aip.gov.mt
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Updated: 28th July 2008
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