National Coalition Members

A forward-looking economy which ensures stability and growth for all lies at the heart of the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects’ commitment to our nation. In its legislative, administrative, and coordinating role, the Ministry wholly recognises the immense value of creating, nurturing and supporting an increasingly competitive and attractive environment which generates all-important investment, the lifeblood of our country.

Time and experience have demonstrated that diversification is key to a dynamic and progressive economy, and this together with the bolstering of long-standing sectors and industries remains one of the Ministry’s deeply entrenched priorities. SMEs and family businesses are the jewel in the crown of our vibrant economy, the backbone upon which all our country’s progress is forged. It is therefore part and parcel of the Ministry’s policy to encourage growth and create viable opportunities which cater for businesses at every stage of their life-cycle – from start-ups to internationalisation.

At the core of the Ministry’s philosophy lies the promoting of synergies for innovation between the Government, the regulators, operators and all relevant stakeholders leading to the development of new products and services that respond to international market requirements, whilst simultaneously pushing for the reduction of administrative bureaucratic burdens, which can be disruptive to modernisation and creativity.

A Digital Economy for Malta is a momentous milestone for our country and one which the Ministry has been tasked with its implementation. Entrusted with the overall governance of the e-Government vision, strategy and associated programmes, the Ministry provides leadership and has ultimate responsibility for the successful delivery of the ICT programme. The implementation of a Digital Economy requires the involvement and collaboration of various key players and entities, most of which fall under the Ministry’s remit, including the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and tech.mt. MDIA in itself is also responsible, among other roles, to see that the AI strategy is implemented while tech.mt, created by the Government and the Malta Chamber, supports the tech industry in Malta while also promoting the national strategy for innovative technology.

Another important sector which forms part of the Ministry’s portfolio is the electronic communications sector, which falls under the Malta Communications Authority, the sector’s regulator. Furthermore, the Authority regulates the eCommerce sector.

Over the recent past the iGaming industry in Malta has grown and flourished exponentially. GamingMalta – an independent non-profit foundation set up by the Government and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) promotes Malta as a centre of excellence in the digital and remote gaming sector. It is also responsible for liaising with the local, relevant authorities, including by means of a newly set-up iGaming Council, which is pivotal in improving our jurisdiction’s competitiveness, attracts more niches in the gaming sector and ensures that the ecosystem surrounding the gaming industry will continue to thrive. Meanwhile, the Responsible Gaming Foundation was set up to ensure that online players are protected to the full, consistently providing educational protection and support for the young and vulnerable.

INDIS Malta Ltd is responsible for the administration of government-owned industrial parks and related facilities around Malta and Gozo, as well as supporting and promoting their further development through improvements in infrastructure and access.

Ministry for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry is the independent voice of the private sector in Malta. Its principal mission is to actively represent companies from all economic sectors and ensure that entrepreneurs enjoy the best competitive environment and regulatory conditions possible for the conduct of business.

The Chamber constantly champions the need for competitiveness enhancing measures with the pertinent authorities in Malta as well as in Brussels. For the purposes of delivering on its mission, it has a well resourced in-house policy department that engages in desk research which complements feedback generated through its internal network of vertical and horizontal policy committees for the production of policy position papers.

The Chamber is the longest established Social Partner in Malta – having been established in 1848. It is the only Employer organisation that is recognised by the Laws of Malta (Commercial Code Cap 13). As a result of its merger with the FOI in 2009, it is also the strongest represented Employer body on such national boards as the MCESD, ERB, ME, MEUSAC and others.

Housed within its historic Exchange Buildings in Valletta, the Chamber serves as a natural home for SMEs and large enterprises alike and across all business sectors. Through its active internal structures, the Chamber enables effective communication across all stakeholders as well as ensuring a series of value-added services to business not least in the field of internationalisation.

The Chamber is affiliated to Eurochambres and BusinessEurope. It is also part of the Enterprise Europe Network which enables it to offer practical value-added services to members and clients through the support of around 600 business support organisations from more than 64 countries, with the principal aim of helping small companies seize the unparalleled business opportunities in the EU Single Market.

The Malta Chamber is certified by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority to comply with the requirements of MSA ISO 9001:2015

The Malta Chamber

3In operation under various guises since the 1950s, which is almost since the beginning of Malta’s industrial development, the Corporation contains within it a great deal of accumulated experience in the field. Furthermore, it acts as an adviser to government on economic policy due to its close and constant interaction with the main economic players in the country. Malta Enterprise is also the national contact point for the Enterprise Europe Network through which companies based in Malta can develop links with counterparts in over 60 other countries.

Within the organization, one may find a wide variety of skills and backgrounds. This facilitates interaction with investors from all sectors, ensuring that specific requirements are understood and met.

The long term presence of an investor in the country is a priority for Malta Enterprise. We therefore work constantly with our clients to find solutions to any issues they may be facing and to help them adapt to changing circumstances. This has resulted in symbiotic relationships being maintained for decades, for the benefit of all concerned.

Malta Enterprise

The MCA was established on the 1st January 2001 and is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the various electronic communications sectors, which include fixed and mobile telephony, Internet and TV distribution services. Furthermore, the Authority regulates two other sectors which are the postal services, as well as the eCommerce sector.

It is widely acknowledged that access to essential services and information, maintaining and enhancing social support networks and opportunities for meaningful social and civic engagement are increasingly compromised by a lack of digital literacy. Hence a number of digital inclusion initiatives have been undertaken by the Authority, which are aimed at ensuring that every business and individual has the skills and competences to fully engage in online activities, a must in today’s ICT enabled global village. The Authority’s mandate has been recently extended to exploring new economic opportunities for Malta, broadly related to its portfolio. The MCA’s mission statement is stated in two pillars:

To promote and safeguard sustainable competition, customer choice and value for money in the electronic communications, e-commerce and postal sectors, and
To facilitate the development of an environment that is conducive to investment, innovation, social inclusion and economic growth.
Our objective is to ensure the provision of products and services, based on the latest innovative technologies, at the right price and of the highest quality to consumers. On the business side, we aim to ensure an environment that is conducive to sustainable competition and investment, through a forward looking regulatory framework that adequately caters for the growing demands of the future.

On this note, the MCA aims to promote and facilitate innovation and business development with a view to strengthen competition in a growing communications sector. This is done by supporting home-grown innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as internationally promoting Malta and its technology readiness in order to attract to our shores more businesses that actively contribute to the development of the communications industry in some way or another.

The MCA enables competition in the communications sector by facilitating market entry through a light-touch authorisation framework for the provision of networks and services, and by regulating access to networks so as to develop effective choice for end-users – both business and residential. In a sector that evolves rapidly, both in technological and commercial terms, the MCA provides the framework for the introduction of new services.

The focus of regulation for the postal service is that postal undertakings provide a transparent, value-for-money service to users, whilst adhering to incumbent social obligations. Particular attention is paid on ensuring the maintenance of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and in ensuring that MaltaPost’s prices are geared to cost.

With regard to eCommerce, our focus lies in supporting the take up of eCommerce and the provision of eCommerce-related services by local businesses. Our efforts now lie in implementing the various initiatives outlined in the national eCommerce Strategy 2014-2020.

The MCA’s mission, mandate and functions derive from the Malta Communications Authority Act (Cap 418). The MCA also implements the following Acts:

the Electronic Communications (Regulations) Act (Cap 399);
the Postal Services Act (Cap 254); and
the Electronic Commerce Act (Cap 426)

Malta Communications Authority

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) fuses the commercial needs of operators with a deep understanding of gaming legislation and practice. As the single regulatory body that is responsible for the governance of all gaming activities in Malta, it is widely considered to be the preferred global remote gaming regulator.

The MGA’s mission statement is:

“To regulate competently the various sectors of the gaming industry that fall under the Authority by ensuring gaming is fair and transparent to the players, preventing crime, corruption and money laundering and by protecting minor and vulnerable players.”

Malta Gaming Authority

The objective of the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is to provide present and future generations with the necessary skills and talents for citizenship and employability, in the 21st century and beyond.

Our children need to develop their personal and social potential and acquire the appropriate knowledge, key skills, competences and attitudes through a value-oriented formation including equity, social justice, diversity and inclusivity.

The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is committed to continually improve on the services it offers and to ensure that Better Regulation principles and procedures are applied consistently throughout the Ministry.​

Core Functions:

– To ensure equal opportunities of quality education for all;
– An education system which provides every young person with the lifelong skills, values, and self-reliance to be independent;
– To offer a wide variety of higher education and training opportunities to enable everyone to get ahead in life and develop themselves professionally;
– To continue to formulate and implement effective policies on education and employment, working closely with stakeholders in the field

Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation