MALTA
BY JAMES BOWLING
Lifestyle & Investment Benefits
Citizenship via property acquisition
L
ocated in the heart of the Mediterranean, the
island of Malta has become a sought after
tourist destination due to its warm climate
and numerous recreational areas, not to mention its
architectural, historical monuments which include
no less than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The country was ranked second out of 193 countries
in International Living’s “Quality of Life Index 2011
and ranked first for Best Climate in the World.
Although the island is the smallest state within
the European Union (EU), its inclusion has also
made it an attractive option for offshore investors
and businessmen looking to take advantage of both
the lifestyle and investment benefits of owning and
operating an enterprise within the EU.
Malta’s allure
English is an official language in Malta, and the
language of business. Malta is also the largest free
Port in the Mediterranean, surrounded by crystal
clear seas and several sandy beaches. Virtually crime
free, it is also a very safe place to live in. While
steeped in culture and a heritage dating back over
7,000 years, it is a modern EU member country
offering political stability and EU benefits with low
inflation rate. These factors contribute to a secure
62
Offshore Handbook 2014
environment to invest and hedge in hard currency,
as well as to a very stable property market offering
steady capital growth.
Over the past few years, successive Maltese
governments have strived to promote the country’s
development as an ideal international business,
financial and maritime centre. A number of factors
have contributed to the country’s allure, such as
its EU membership and adoption of Community
Legislation.
Other aspects include complying with the policies
and directives of international organisations such as
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD), which means that Malta
enjoys an excellent reputation and track record. It
enjoys a high credit rating among global credit rating
agencies and its geographic positioning makes it a
regional hub for the provision of business related
services. State-of-the-art telecommunications
infrastructure and political stability have also added
to the country’s investment appeal.
Aside from Malta’s EU membership, the adoption
of the Euro in 2008 also made the country a decisive
choice with investors, many opting to relocate
www.reimag.co.za