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Business support - Malta

Updated 04/2011

Maltese law provides business support under the Business Promotion Act 1988 and its amending legislation. The services provided assist entrepreneurs where they lack specialist knowledge or resources and experience language or cultural barriers.

The Malta Enterprise Act 2003 enabled Malta Enterprise, the agency responsible for the promotion of foreign investment and industrial development in Malta, to support business development in the country.

Private organisations

Law firms

Law firms can provide excellent advice and guidance on the legal requirements of setting up a partnership, as well as advice on how to locate possible partners.

Intellectual property (IP) attorneys are available to advise businesses on their IP rights and how to obtain the best protection.

Associations

The Malta Chamber of SMEs is run by the Association of General Retailers and Traders, Malta's national organisation of independent, private businesses. Its policies are geared towards encouraging and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Malta Employers' Association (MEA) is a provider of expert advice to Malta's business community, and as such can offer support and information to businesses in a partnership or those looking to form a partnership.

Public-private organisations

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise offers its members entry in the Malta Trade Directory, a newsletter and bimonthly magazine, business education courses at special rates and a chance to have their views represented to decision makers.

Public organisations

The Government of Malta's work and business page offers information on import/export and trading licenses, levies and price verification. It also contains a list of organisations and links to the services offered by the Employment and Training Corporation, the VAT Department and the Financial Services Authority.

The business section of Legal-Malta offers access to a 'Business Services Directory' and lists other business-related themes.

The Commerce Division of the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Investment facilitates contact between business owners and any authority, body, ministry or department offering help to small businesses. It is an intermediary, gathering relevant information and passing it on to those trusted with helping small businesses flourish.

The Malta Financial Services Authority is the single regulator for financial services in Malta. Its remit includes questions related to legislation, banking, the Listing Authority, company compliance and company registration.

The national contact points for the EU programmes most closely related to environmental performance are the Malta Council for Science & Technology (seventh framework programme) and Malta Investment Management Company Ltd. (competitiveness and innovation programme).

Malta Enterprise offers assistance and advice to those seeking to learn more about the multitude of business and investment opportunities available on the island. Likewise, it offers investors the best possible service before, during and after they decide to do business in Malta.

Access to finance is crucial for setting up and running a business.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

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Further help

SOLVIT helps businesses deal with problems that arise when national authorities wrongly apply EU market rules.