
PROFILE: Malta
A Few Tips for doing Business in Malta

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Environment is Malta's most important resource. The country has many national reserves and areas of ecological importance.
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Punctuality is important.
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Small or symbolic gifts from your home country are appreciated.
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Dress conservatively.
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Fighting corruption is very important in Malta.
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Despite its small size, Malta has succeeded in re-inventing itself as one of Europe's most dynamic and innovative locations for doing business.
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Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English. Maltese is a Semitic language, an ancient derivative of Arabic with influences of Italian. It is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet.
Brief History
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Malta's civilization dates back thousands of years. Its islands have been a strategic site for many countries including Phoenicia, Carthage, Greece, the Roman Empire, Moors, Norman's, etc.
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It was a British colony from 1814 to 1964 when it became independent.
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Location: As an island nation, it is in southern Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily
General Information
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Government: Parliamentary republic
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Capital City: Valletta
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Literacy Rate: 94.4%
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Size: Slightly less than twice the size of Washington D.C.
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Population: 460,891 (July,2020 est.)
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Population Growth: 0.75% (2021 est.)
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Population Distribution: Most of the people live on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the 3 inhabited islands
Economy
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It is a free-market economy and the smallest economy in the Euro-Zone. Malta relies on trade in both goods and services, primarily with other European nations. It produces less than a quarter of its food and has limited water supplies. It is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing and tourism. It joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2009.
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Unemployment Rate: 4.09% (2020)
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Currency Exchange Rate: 1 US Dollar = 0.87 Euros (1/12/22)
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GDP: $14.986 B
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GDP Growth Rate: 4.94% (2019 est.)
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Labor Force: 223,000 (2019 est.)
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Labor Force Breakdown: Agriculture - 1.6%, Industry - 20.7%, Services - 77.7%
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Major Industries: Tourism, manufacturing, financial services, information communications and technology
International Trade
Total Product Exports: $2.67B (2020)
Major Product Exports (2020)
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Electrical machinery, equipment - 25.8%
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Pharmaceuticals - 15.3%
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Books, newspapers, pictures - 11%
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Fish - 6.25%
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Toys, games - 6.1%
Major Product Export Partners (2020)
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Germany - 17%
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France - 9.2%
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Italy - 7.0%
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Hong Kong - 5.8%
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Singapore - 5.6%
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Japan - 5.55
Total Product Imports (2020)
$5.2B
Major Product Imports (2020)
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Mineral Fuels & Oils - 17.4%
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Aircraft, spacecraft, parts - 11.7%
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Electrical machinery & equipment - 11.0%
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Pharmaceutical products - 6.1%
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Machinery - 6%
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Ships, boats, fleeting structures - 4.2%
Major Import Partners (2020)
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Italy - 20.3%
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UK - 8.9%
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China - 7.95
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France - 7.1%
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Germany - 6.6%
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Spain - 5.1%
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Luxembourg - 4.4%
English Language Online News Sites
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Gozo News - general news - www.gozo.news
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Malta Independent - general news - www.independent.com.mt
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Malta Today - general news - www.maltatoday.com.mt
Sampling of Companies
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Air Malta - airline - www.airmalta.com - Luqua
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APS Bank - banking/financial services - www.apsbank.com.mt - Birkirkara
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Bank of Valletta - bank/financial services - www.bova.com - Santa Venera
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Emmanuel Delicata - distiller & vintner - www.delicata.com - Paola
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Multilotto - gambling - www.multilotto.com - St. Julians
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Simonds Farsons Cisk - brewers - www.farsons.com - Birkirkara
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Epic - mobile phones, ancillary products - www.epic.com.mt - Luqua
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CSB - shipping & yachting services - www.csbgroup.com - Swatar
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RS2 - Software plc – software - www.rs2.com - Mosta
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Medserv plc - energy products - www.medservenergy.com - Birzablinsa
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HC Trading Malta Ltd. - trading company-bulk goods, foods, other materials - www.hctrading.com/en - Swieqi
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Vistajet Ltd. - aerospace parts - www.vistajet.com - Luqa
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St Microelectronics - semiconductors& other electronic components - www.st.com - Kirkup
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Enemed Company Co. Ltd. - energy products - www.enemed.com.mt - Birzebbugia
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Methode Electronics - household appliances etc. - www.methode.com - Birkirkara
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Playmobil Malta Ltd. - plastics - www.playmobilmalta.com - Birzebbusia
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Actavis Ltd. - pharmaceuticals - www.actavis.com - Zejtun
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MFF Ltd. - seafood processing/packaging - www.mff.com.mt - Marbaxlokk
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Trelleborg Sealing Solutions-sealants - www.tss.treleborg.com - Birzebbugia
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Malta Dairy Products Ltd. - dairy products - www.benna.com.mt - Hamrun
National Holidays 2022
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January 1 - New Year`s Day
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February 10 - Feast of St. Paul`s Shipwreck
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March 19 - Feast of St. Joseph
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March 31 - Freedom Day
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April 15 - Good Friday
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May 1 - Worker`s Day
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June 7 - Sette Giugno
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June 29 - Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul
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August 15 - Assumption Day
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September 8 - Feast of Our Lady of Victories
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September 21 - Independence Day
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December 8 - Feast of Immaculate Conception
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December 13 - Republic Day
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December 25 - Christmas Day
By Paul Mastilak
InterMark3, Inc.