Strategically located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta has built on its tradition as one of the most important commercial hubs in the region to establish itself as an ideal place to do business and a preferred option for those companies seeking good returns on their investment.
The idyllic islands may be better known as a popular tourist destination, but at the same time they have been a home to a strong manufacturing industry for decades. Significant strides have also been made in other industries such as aviation, financial and professional services, ICT, international education services, life sciences, and maritime, all of which offer opportunities for further development.
Factors such as a transparent, competitive tax system; a strategic location and ease of access to regional markets; the availability of highly-skilled workers; successive pro-business administrations that have assured stability; as well as the fact that English is the language for doing business are only a few of the elements that have attracted investment to Malta and, more importantly, ensured its ongoing success.
Operational Infrastructure
To support this economic activity and facilitate further growth, INDIS provides the infrastructure that private businesses operating in a variety of industries require, such as industrial space for manufacturing, hangars for aviation, laboratories for life sciences, offices for ICT, as well as dedicated artisan villages.
Indeed, INDIS manages over 15 industrial estates around the Maltese islands, each having their respective benefits for those operating from within and comprising a variety of property solutions tailored to the tenants’ needs.
While these are mainly geared to assist the manufacturing industry, as was the organization’s historic role, INDIS has more recently embarked on a number of projects aimed at providing the infrastructure required by other industries that are growing in Malta. These include the Malta Life Sciences Park, the Gozo Innovation Hub, and the Safi Aviation Park, amongst others.
All projects being embarked upon by INDIS, including the overhaul of the artisan village in Ta’ Qali, are incorporating not only innovative elements, but also green initiatives that will ensure a better environment for all those that work from or visit the facilities.
While INDIS is tasked with assisting investors by providing industrial space and, possibly, helping out in its development, there are other entities which are specifically set up to support investors in setting up and growing in Malta, responding to their needs in order to help them flourish in the country.
The main such organization is Malta Enterprise, the government agency which seeks to attract foreign investment to Malta. Malta Enterprise provides a tailored service to help businesses, not only through the organization of fact finding visits and the provision of information, but also through a myriad of support schemes and financial incentives aimed at facilitating the setting up and growth of businesses in Malta. These further complement the advantageous fiscal environment in the country.
Through Business First, Malta Enterprise also provides a point of single contact for businesses. A number of service agreements with various public entities make it possible for start-ups and established businesses alike to apply for various administrative services from one location.
Should the business want to use Malta as a stepping stone to access other markets, TradeMalta offers a range of services tailored to the needs of companies that are planning to internationalise their business.
Logistic Facilities
The myriad of services available to support businesses are further complemented by an excellent logistical infrastructure, which makes it easy to make the most of Malta’s geographical location through a large network of reliable and frequent connections, whether by air or by sea.
Frequent and direct flights from and to the Malta International Airport link the islands to most European cities and major cities in North Africa and the Middle East with less than three hours of flight time, whether for passenger traffic or cargo.
A daily high speed catamaran service connects Malta to Sicily, while other ferry services are also available between Malta and Italy or North Africa.
Besides the port facilities available in the Grand Harbour, the country can also boast about the facilities found at the Malta Freeport, which was the first transhipment hub in the Mediterranean region and ranks twelfth among the top European ports. It is the third largest transhipment and logistics centre in the Mediterranean – handling around 3 million TEUs every year – and, following recent investment, it has become the first hub in the region capable of handling 18,000 TEU vessels and over on two berths.