Malta’s status as an EU Member State, and moreso with the adoption of the Euro on 1st January 2008, further enhances the country’s attractiveness as a centre for international business in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Situated just 95 kms south of Sicily and 290 kms from the North African coast, Malta is well placed for international business - right at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Malta’s coastline is picturesque with many harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky covers. The main island, Malta is 27 kms long and its widest point measures 14 kms. Two much smaller islands, Gozo and Comino, form the Maltese Archipelago. The islands are characterised by a series of low hills with terraced fields on the slopes. Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea is typical of the Mediterranean, with sunny and hot summers while winters are mild with temperatures in the region of 12oC.
It takes a mere 2 to 3 hours to get to Malta by air from most European cities. There are frequent and direct flights to Malta from London, Rome, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Geneva, Athens, Amsterdam, Madrid, Munich and Vienna amongst other. Other frequent flights are also operated from North African and Middle East destinations. As an EU country, Malta's requirements on visas fall in line with EU policy. Malta also forms part of the Schengen travel area. Daily high speed catamaran services for passengers, cars and heavy vehicles connect Valletta, Malta and Sicily. Other ferry services connect Valletta with Italy and North Africa.
Maltese, the national language, is of Semitic origin written in Latin script that over the centuries has incorporated many words derived from English, Italian and French. For official purposes, both Maltese and English are recognised and given equal status and use in Government. Likewise, most business correspondence is normally in English. Other languages, particularly Italian and French, are also spoken by the population.
Malta has always been a welcome place in Europe for business. It is recognized internationally as a safe and secure place to do business, with high economic, legal and political stability, and low risk. It boasts a high-qualified and flexible workforce and relatively low labour costs. The legal structure in Malta is based on the civil-law pattern of continental Europe, but most administrative and fiscal legislation is are based on British laws. Business offices are usually open from 08.00hrs to 17.00hrs Monday to Friday while some operate on 'half-days' - usually until 14.00 hrs - during July and August.
There is a system of free education with school attendance being compulsory until the age of 16 years. Each year, Malta has a steady influx of undergraduates and new students entering further and higher education while many are also obtaining internationally recognised diplomas from the vocational college, the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST). Besides public schools, one also finds numerous private and international schools in Malta.
Updated: 29th May 2008
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