ABOUT MALTA


Discover Malta
Malta is a jewel in the heart of the Mediterranean that attracts many visitors and it enjoys scenic beauty and a wealth of culture that dates back as far as 3000 B.C. Besides being a museum in its own right and a perfect holiday haven for those seeking relaxation, sun and sea, Malta offers excellent opportunities for businesses that are well worth exploring.

Commercial Services Bureau (CSB) Ltd welcomes you to the Maltese shores and offers a committed assistance to facilitate your business needs.

  • Official languages: Maltese and English

  • Population: 380,000 (approximately)

  • Capital: Valletta

  • Climate: Mediterranean, with long warm summers and mild winters

  • Temperatures: Average in Summer 32 degrees centigrade and Winter 14 degrees centigrade

  • Sunshine: Average in Summer 10 hours, Average in Winter 6.50 hours

  • Location: Southern Europe, approximately 60 km south of Sicily and 110 km west of the North African coast

  • Area: 316 square km; an archipelago of islands of which 3 are inhabited

  • Coastline: 140 km

  • Terrain: Low, rocky, flat, modest central heights and costal cliffs

  • Main Religion: Roman Catholic

  • Public Holidays: 1st January, 10th February, 19th March, 29th March, 31st March, 1st May, 7th June, 29th June, 15th August, 8th September, 21st September, 8th December, 13th December and 25th December.


    • Malta and the EU
    Malta is in advanced negotiations to become a full member state of the European Union. A national referendum, which is expected before the end of 2003, will be held when negotiations are finalised. Malta already has strong trading links with the EU and the majority of its exports are to EU countries. However, membership is expected to widen the opportunities for Maltese businesses to trade with the EU market, which is made up of over 300 million people, and to increase the flow of capital and new economic activity into Malta. A EU Membership should be particularly valuable to regulated financial services businesses. Having received regulatory approval in Malta, we will be able to more deeply penetrate EU markets without having to repeat costly and time-consuming procedures in each country. We will literally have a "passport to Europe."


    Malta for Business and Pleasure
    If you are looking for alternative opportunities for your offshore activities in line with the OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-Operation & Development, you should seriously consider the Maltese Jurisdiction. Malta's International Business activities are growing at a steady rate as entrepreneurs worldwide take advantage of its unique benefits. Malta has been known as a holiday island located some 100 kilometers south of the Italian island of Sicily. It offers holidaymakers a sun-drenched island steeped in history. Today, international hotels amongst them The Malta Hilton, The Westin Dragonara and The Radisson SAS, grace our shores. Although tourism is the main industry, Malta is becoming much more than the popular holiday destination.

    Malta is fast becoming an active HUB for important names in industry. Major overseas companies are currently managing to acquire contracts of supply and services to the North African market, this thanks to their local presence in Malta. This is attributed amongst others, to Malta's first class relationships with most of these countries, our proximity and easy accessibility, our understanding of their culture and language.


    Malta - An International Finance & Trade Centre
    During the past years Malta has become an important International Finance and Trade Centre. This is due to its political stability, geographical convenience, operations efficiency, confidentiality, nominee shareholder structure, advance tax rulings and tax efficiency. Malta has tax treaties with most major countries and is very competitive when compared to other jurisdictions. The world's top five business advisory firms namely Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG and Deloitte & Touché have major offices in Malta. Malta's banking sector provides the full range of commercial services, including project finance, trade finance, venture capital, foreign exchange and payroll management. The Malta Stock Exchange offers qualifying companies the opportunity for primary or secondary listings. Many major electronic manufacturers and software suppliers have a supply and maintenance presence in Malta, mainly through local agents which include Compaq, Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, ICL, Fujitsu and NCR.


    Tax Efficiency
    One of the unique features of the Malta International Trading & Holding Company structure is that the Maltese corporate vehicle has an "onshore" status that does not differentiate in any way from any other traditional Maltese company in terms of filing and reporting requirements and more importantly tax obligations. While companies are taxed at 35% the fiscal advantage arises at "shareholder level". Other important fiscal advantages exist, but this depends on the kind of tax scenario you are in. More important is that tax refunds are effected in a short prescribed time limit. For more information about ITC's & IHC's click here.



    Legislation
    The New Maltese Company Act 1995 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Centre better known as MFSC, makes it possible for non-Maltese Entities and/or Residents to register onshore companies with activities limited to be carried out from Malta but not in Malta. The law does not differentiate between companies with onshore or offshore activities. Since the introduction of the New Act the incorporation of International Trading and Holding companies, by non-resident beneficiaries, is on the increase.

    Benefits
    Other incentives include tax holidays and financing for setting export orientated industries, subsidised factory space, free-port facilities, and International Trading and Holding companies are exempt from exchange control. Modern and smart office space is generally available in prime locations at convenient rates.


    Good Communications
    Malta is easy and still safe to get to by air, having regular air services linked with most major European business centres. The main island itself is small and easy to get around by car and any destination can be reached in around 30 minutes. In conclusion, while getting to Malta is easy and travelling around this compact island is quick and easy, the latest telecommunication and IT systems are generally readily available and fully operational.


    Property
    Malta offers a wide selection of office, commercial and industrial property. These include town houses, offices in commercial buildings and factories, and prices are rather competitive when compared with other jurisdictions.


    Efficient and Friendly Workforce
    Maltese and English are the national languages. English, is in fact, widely spoken in the business community and most business communication is also done in English. Italian is also widely spoken and many have had additional formal training in French, German, Spanish and Arabic. The Maltese are renowned for their warm hospitality, however, there is much more to the people than a warm welcome. Educational and training standards are good, workers are conscientious while wages are reasonable when compared to other European countries. The University of Malta, one of the oldest Universities found in Europe, has a large numbers of students graduating in a wide variety of studies.