Malta's financial services sector has entered a new phase defined by strategic specialisation rather than broad-based expansion, according to FinanceMalta Chief Strategy Officer Dr Bernice Buttigieg. Speaking about the sector's evolution, she said the focus today is on the niches Malta is best positioned to serve and on building credibility through stronger governance and supervisory practices. The numbers underline the shift. Financial services contribute 8.2% of Malta's tot

Global energy company Chevron has been granted an exploration study licence covering four offshore areas south of the country. The agreement, signed on 24 April, marks Chevron’s entry into Malta’s upstream sector and extends a Mediterranean portfolio that already spans Israel, Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt. The licence covers Areas 1, 4, 5, and 7, and allows Chevron to carry out geological and geophysical desktop studies using existing data. This phase represents an initial step

Mastercard has launched its “Mastercard Day” programme in Malta for the first time, turning every Tuesday into a dedicated rewards day for cardholders. The initiative offers €10 cashback to consumers who spend a total of €50 at supermarkets on Tuesdays, with the inaugural cycle running from the 5th May through to the 30th June. The campaign applies to Mastercard cardholders from Maltese banks and covers both in-store and online supermarket purchases nationwide. Eligible cashb

Xjenza Malta and the European Space Agency (ESA) are preparing to host an Info Day that will open access to more than 1.75 million euros in funding for Maltese organisations through the fourth call of ESA's Plan for European Cooperating States (PECS) programme. The event positions Malta to expand its presence within one of the world's fastest-growing economic sectors and signals a clear ambition to embed space as a serious pillar of the national economy. The PECS programme is

KM Malta Airlines has signed a three-year heavy maintenance agreement with Bird Aviation, securing dependable technical support for its Airbus A320neo fleet as the national carrier continues to expand its European route network. The deal, which takes effect immediately, gives Malta's flag carrier structured access to base maintenance services at Bird Aviation's facility in Larnaca, Cyprus, and reinforces a long-running collaboration between the two operators. Under the agreem

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is reinforcing its consumer-first mandate with a new awareness campaign designed to help individuals make better-informed decisions before signing up to pension schemes and long-term savings products. The initiative, titled "Know Before You Sign", encourages consumers to assess whether retirement products align with their financial circumstances, investment horizon, and tolerance for risk. The campaign arrives at a time when a gro

DC Aviation Malta has officially opened its redesigned VIP terminal and crew facilities at Malta International Airport (MIA), completing a six-month upgrade that strengthens one of the country’s principal Fixed Base Operator (FBO) sites. The launch was marked by an exclusive reception on 10 April attended by around 100 guests from across Europe's executive aviation community. The renovation, delivered in collaboration with leading designers, has overhauled the FBO's infrastru

GTG Legal March 17 2026 This is an extract from Lexology In-Depth. Continue to In-Depth for the full content. All questions Year in review In 2023, the European Union issued MiCAR, establishing a unified regulatory framework for cryptoassets across the European Union. Drawing heavily from Malta's VFA Act, MiCAR regulates the issue and provision of services relating to cryptoassets that are not currently covered by existing financial services legislation, as well as asset-ref

Malta's banking sector has emerged from a five-year supervisory benchmarking exercise as resilient, well capitalised and aligned with the latest European prudential standards, according to the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA). The findings draw on 24 Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) decisions issued to Less Significant Institutions (LSIs) over the period. The SREP, introduced under the EU Capital Requirements Directive and refined by the recent Bankin

Malta is among the EU member states progressing with preparations for the bloc's Anti-Money Laundering (AML) overhaul, with national authorities working through the rollout of reforms ahead of the July 2027 deadline. The new framework, comprising the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) and the Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6), will introduce a single rulebook across the EU and pave the way for direct supervision by the new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AML