The Maltese Islands - your Mediterranean gateway to the world of business

Malta’s rich and diverse history has its roots in the island’s location, at the heart of the Mediterranean. Malta’s magnificent megalithic temples rank as the oldest free-standing structures in the world. Throughout history, Malta’s destiny in peace and war were inevitably linked to its strategic location at the confluence of shipping routes, with its deep natural harbours making Malta ideal for trade as well as defensive purposes.

Malta, the main island is 27 kilometers long and measures 14.5 kilometers at its widest point. In fact, Malta can be crossed in just 45 minutes, reducing commuting time and increasing leisure time. Indeed, Malta is one of the few places in the world where you can enjoy 8 hours of work, 8 hours of play and 8 hours of rest, thus enhancing the island’s superior quality of life. With an area of just 67 kilometres, Gozo is home to about 25,000 of Malta’s 410,000 inhabitants. Gozo offers visitors as well as residents a less developed and a more rural environment to live in. Malta enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year and according to the 2011 Magazine of International Living, the best climate in the world.

Due to its lack of natural resources, the Maltese economy is mostly centered on the services industry, with tourism playing a major role in the field. The economy is also dependent on foreign trade and manufacturing, particularly on electronics and pharmaceuticals.

Since joining the European Union back in 2004, the Islands have experienced economic growth as the European economy has lifted its trade barriers. In addition, Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008 and gave a boost to a steady growth in the financial services as well as the i-gaming industry.

Being well located in the Mediterranean, Malta has also acquired a strategic trading post. Since its establishment in 1988, Malta Freeport has registered remarkable growth and is now a major maritime transshipment logistic center in the Mediterranean region enjoying positive international recognition with global carriers, thus making it a reliable and credible port.  In addition, the Malta International Airport, with daily international flights ensures that visitors can travel to all major European airports, the Middle East and North Africa.