Malta

Malta is positioned in the center of the Mediterranean. Air links with major European, North African and Middle Eastern destinations are frequent and efficient. Shipping links are facilitated by excellent natural harbours.

With a written records dating back to pre-Christian days, the island state of Malta may be tiny, but it is surely not short on history. Between more than a few regime changes, this Mediterranean archipelago saw the establishment of port and trading services, and even a cultural renaissance of sorts. Due to its British allegiances during the Second World War, Malta was the victim of countless raids by the European Axis forces. It also earned recognition for its unwavering stand against such seemingly overwhelming odds. The Maltese gained independence in 1964, and officially became a republic a decade later.

Like many island states, Malta is endowed with few natural resources. However, prudent use of its human resource has resulted in presently thriving manufacturing and tertiary industries. Tourism now makes up about 30% of the Maltese GDP, while semi-conductors account for an estimated 75% of its total exports. Further, because of its multilingual population, Malta is becoming an increasingly popular destination for European contact center outsourcing. Its bid for membership in the Eurozone was also recently endorsed by both the European Commission, and the European Central Bank. So then it seems, that with a fledgling economy and EU backing, Malta could just be, in the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, "one tiny bright flame."

Business In Malta

To date, over 250 foreign companies have chosen to operate from Malta. Companies include Elsacom, Pharmamed, Seifert Electronic, Baxter, Playmobil Malta, Dedicated Micros and Biochemicals International.

To accommodate some of these companies, the Mosta Technopark was established in 1991, which followed the development of the Marsa industrial Estate.

The level of education in Malta is very high with an increasing university population. In particular the number of students graduating from the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines at the University of Malta has been increasing. As well as the number of business studies, pharmacy and basic sciences graduates.

The university has ten faculties from Architecture & Civil Engineering to Economics, Management & Accountancy. There are also a number of multidisciplinary institutes which are oriented towards teaching and research. The university focuses on the infrastructure and industrial needs of the country so as to provide expertise in crucial fields. There is strong collaboration with the manufacturing industry on three major fronts: marketing and management; science and engineering and medicine and health care. To take an example, the Department of Microelectronics has carried out a programme for various companies which involves the design and construction of equipment hardware as well as development of the support software required.

Malta Emerges as New Nearshore Contact Center Outsourcing Destination

near sourcing

http://www.cbronline.com/article_feature.asp?guid=83252020-2D41-4264-8B90-8B09F0F82665

Tiny Malta looks set to join the global outsourcing fray. With a population fluent in both English and Italian, the Mediterranean island nation is fast becoming the destination of choice for European call center outsourcing. However, limited by its small labor force and land-space, Malta also needs to make shrewd decisions over the projects it allows into this fledgling sector.

Adopting the Euro

Cyprus and Malta get Euro Boost

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6661589.stm

Cyprus and Malta look to be on the way to the Eurozone. Due to decent economic progress in the two nations, both had their bids endorsed by the European Commission and the European Central Bank. And, barring any drastic irregularities, they are set to formally adopt the euro on January 1, 2008, if approved

Investment Promotion Agency:

Malta Development Corporation

PO Box 141

Marsa GPO 01

Malta

tel: +356 667 100

fax: +356 667 111

Links

Malta: Malta Online

http://www.mol.net.mt/

Malta Online offers comprehensive coverage of everything from businesses to travel information. A detailed web directory provides information about many key services offered in Malta.

Malta: Malta Business Weekly

http://www.maltabusinessweekly.com.mt/

The Malta Business Weekly offers news covering various aspects of the Maltese business environment, including opinions and editorials.

Countryrisk.com

http://www.countryrisk.com/

This site contains a collection of links to a wide array of information about country background information, world rankings, data and statistics, research, and more.

GuideToMalta.net

Malta travel guide providing travel information about Malta, its people and culture, history, places of interest like swimming with a pool heater, and main modes of transportation.