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Support Measures and Other Services

In order to help our clients further improve their competitive edge, Malta Enterprise has developed various incentives for the promotion and expansion of industry and the development of innovative enterprises.

Malta Enterprise provides incentives for enterprises demonstrating commitment towards growth, an increase in value added and employment. Enterprises engaged in manufacturing, ICT development activities, call centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, aviation and maritime services, education and training, logistics and more may benefit from these incentives.

It is advisable that prior to submitting an application you make contact with our Relations Representatives so that you are guided to the requirements of the support you are seeking. You may send an email to [email protected] and the relations representative appointed for your project will get in touch.

Accelerate supports Undertakings in their initial 7 years in financing participation in an Accelerator Programme recognised by Malta Enterprise.  This measure in intended for ventures with potential for growth, that have a viable business concept based on sound technical and scientific knowhow and that are in the process of developing the technology into a market ready offering. Eligible Undertakings may receive up to €100,000 to cover costs related to the establishing a start-up venture in Malta, fees charged by Accelerator Programmes and other costs incurred during the acceleration period.  

Application for the allocation of industrial spaces larger than 300 sqm

Application for Industrial Space for Small Business Activities

Support for Business Development and Transformation

The Business Development Scheme aims to facilitate value-added projects, including new business initiatives, start-up, expansions and transformation activities that contribute to the regional development of Malta.    

 

Business Start provides early seed funding for small start-ups that have an economically feasible business concept to further develop their business proposal prior to seeking further funding or third-party equity.  

EUREKA supports the development of rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services that help improve the daily life of everyday people.

Participation in Network projects, European Partnership on Innovative SMEs / Eurostars and Innowwide, Clusters amongst other EUREKA instruments raises participants’ international profiles through EUREKA label award, facilitates access to finance for companies involved, offers high degree of flexibility and bottom-up approach to project generation with greater chance of project proposal success.

 

The Exploring Research Grant aims to support businesses in planning better their R&D initiatives. Through this measure, Malta Enterprise aims to encourage businesses to think strategically, consider the market disruptions the research results could lead to and look beyond the organisation for strategic collaborations.

Family Businesses should plan a smooth transition for succession to retain the status of a family business.  These plans should be as holistic as possible and should cover issues such as ultimate ownership, financial management, and governance.  The Family Business Act provides a framework to support businesses that fall within the definition of a Family Business in their planning for succession and an effective transfer of ownership. The legislation establishes operational benchmarks so that Family Businesses can further achieve their aims. Malta Enterprise, further supports this process through the Family Business Grant by providing part financing of advisory and mediation services required by Family Businesses towards facilitation and planning of succession.

The purpose of the incentive is to assist and facilitate family businesses to transfer their business from one generation to the next by providing benefits including governance and fiscal benefits for the better management and organisation within the family and the business.

GET QUALIFIED is an initiative that supports the personal development of individuals for the achievement of qualifications and certifications required by industry. The incentive is applicable to individuals following a course of studies leading to a certification, diploma, degree or post-graduate degree courses. Upon successful completion the student will benefit from a tax credit enabling them to recover part of the costs incurred.

Undertakings operating from Gozo are supported by having their additional inter-island transport costs incurred for transporting materials, goods and finished products between Malta and Gozo, partly covered through this support measure.  This assistance serves to reduce the cost-disadvantages for manufacturers based in Gozo by addressing the additional costs incurred when competing with Malta-based undertakings and thus also rendering these businesses in a better position to compete effectively within the single market.

The Green Mobility Scheme shall support the transition to more sustainable transportation by accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles used in business for the transportation of goods and people, by supporting investment in recharging infrastructure required for vehicles which are an integral part of a business activity. The scheme shall also support leasing of clean or zero-emission vehicles.

The scheme facilitates access to expertise and the generation of new knowledge towards accelerating innovation, enhancing business performance and driving competitive advantage through engagement of highly qualified personnel, and access to innovation advisory and support services.

Sustaining the regional industrial and economic development of Malta by facilitating initial investments resulting in the setting up of new establishments, the extension of the capacity of existing establishments, diversification of existing businesses, or a fundamental change in an overall process,  amongst other activities.

The scheme encourages undertakings (including Start-ups, family businesses and self-employed) to invest in their business, so as to innovate, expand and develop their operations. Undertakings benefitting from this measure will be supported through a tax credit calculated as a percentage of eligible expenditure, which also covers increased in wage costs. 

The Patent Box Deduction Rules, 2019 establishes a fiscal regime for income arising from patents, similar intellectual property (IP) Rights and copyrighted software.  The rules additionally provide that small companies may utilise the patent box rules on income from any intellectual property based on an invention that could be patented.

This measure facilitates employment of non-residents in roles which are currently not addressed by the local labour market by temporarily easing the tax expenses incurred by such individuals through a fiscal incentive. Potential beneficiaries may contact Business 1st on 144 for guidance and information about this measure.

The Rent Subsidy aims to support businesses engaged in industrial activities, that require industrial space for starting a new business, expand or diversify operations or optimise supply chains. The support subsidises rental of private industrial premises required for long term development strategies and also short-term rentals to address specific requirements.

These guidelines provide a framework for individuals seeking a determination of eligibility for the option provided by S.L Repatriation of Persons Established in a Field of Excellence Rules, as Subsidiary Legislation to the Income Tax Act (CAP. 123) of the Laws of Malta.

Research and Development should address scientific or technological uncertainties. The knowledge acquired through the research is expected to lead towards the development of innovative products and solutions.

The aim of this incentive is to support industry in undertaking Industrial Research and Experimental Development activities.

Through the Skills Development scheme business undertakings may be supported to provide training with the scope of developing and updating the skills and knowledge of their workforce thus aiding them to perform more effectively.

Malta Enterprise will be supporting licensed operators in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, in ensuring that their staff have the necessary basic requirements to retain their employment and continue working in the sector.

The Smart and Sustainable Investment Grant provides business funding to support investments that lead to more sustainable processes. These investments are expected to enhance the competitiveness of the enterprises through the optimisation of the use of resources in their activities.

Start-up Finance aims to support Small Start-up Undertakings that demonstrate a viable business concept and show commitment to expand and further develop their economic activity.

In the budget speech for 2018, a measure was announced which provides for a tax benefit to individuals who were not yet forty years of age on the date of the commencement of the course, and who graduate with a PhD, Masters Degree or Postgraduate Diploma (minimum 60 credits) (MQF level 8 or 7).