Influential business newspaper The Economic Observer has this month put its spotlight on the Maltese economy, looking at different sectors of growth, including the maritime sector, digital gaming, and the financial services sector. Through its articles and interviews, The Economic Observer brings the developments taking place in the Maltese jurisdiction to the attention of the growing Far Eastern Market.
The Economic Observer introduces the Maltese islands' experience as one based on the full advantage of a strategic location between North Africa and southern Europe, becoming both a successful commercial hub and a popular destination for tourists. However, the newspaper highlights Malta's innovative and forward-looking vision, which is behind its sustained growth in varied sectors within its economy.
Focussing on the financial services sector, The Economic Observer defines the Maltese jurisdiction as a "stable, safe and predictable finance sector", adding that thanks to the prudent and conservative nature of the Maltese financial sector and its regulator, Malta's banking sector remained relatively untainted by the financial crisis. The past five years have seen double-digit growth across the five key pillars of the sector; insurance and pensions, investment funds and asset management, credit and financial institutions, trusts and foundations, and wealth management – an impressive feat for Europe's smallest economy.
Quoting some key figures, the Economic Observer notes that in 1995 Malta had just one investment fund, while by the end of 2013, 600 investment funds were authorised by the MFSA, including an additional 27 fund administrators and 123 investment management service providers.
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