‘Let business get on with its business’ – Scicluna

'Malta's pro-business climate has traditionally been positioned to strengthen Malta's attractiveness as an open market economy, and this new Government is wholly dedicated to upholding that mission, finance minister Edward Scicluna said.

Scicluna was speaking during a retreat for high-achieving local and foreign entrepreneurs, managers, and board members who form part of the Young Presidents' Association in Mdina.

"Our motto is 'Let business get on with its business.' Businesses would prefer governments to remove red tape and bureaucracy, than to give them hand-outs," he said.

Scicluna added that Malta is quickly becoming recognised globally as a strategically located services hub and one of the world's ideal venues for investment in knowledge-based sectors, including financial services; IT based activity and high-end manufacturing.

"Malta is attractive to foreign investment not only because of its strategic positioning, easy and ready access to European and international markets, and highly skilled workforce, but also because of its pro-business approach to regulation and bureaucracy."

"Thanks to its close ties to mainland Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, its excellent port infrastructure, and EU membership, Malta represents an ideal gateway to the Euro-Mediterranean region and further," he added

Progress and flexibility are key factors in the success of Malta's ability to react quickly to international trends and the global market place, he said.