Malta's Financial Services Leader Receives Prestigious New York Award

Jesmond Gatt, Chairman of the Board of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and Chief Executive Officer of Malta Government Investments, is in New York this week to receive the Insurance Federation of New York's (IFNY) Free Enterprise Award, marking significant recognition for Malta's growing influence in international financial services.

The award acknowledges Malta's emergence as a leader in European economic growth, with the Mediterranean island nation achieving an impressive 70% growth rate since 2015 compared to the Eurozone's modest 13%. The International Monetary Fund projects Malta will continue registering Europe's greatest economic growth for at least five more years, underscoring the sustainability of this trajectory.

Financial services stand at the heart of Malta's economic success, accounting for 98.2% of all inward foreign direct investment and 99.4% of outward FDI. The country has established itself as a central hub for fund managers, insurance firms, payment providers, fintech startups, and family offices, leveraging its strategic position as a bridge between Europe and North America.

Jesmond Gatt, Chairman of the Board of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and Chief Executive Officer of Malta Government Investments, is in New York this week to receive the Insurance Federation of New York's (IFNY) Free Enterprise Award, marking significant recognition for Malta's growing influence in international financial services.

In his acceptance remarks, Gatt emphasizes Malta's transformation from historical crossroads to modern commercial bridge. "Malta is no longer a battleground—it is a bridge. A bridge between continents, between cultures, and between markets," he states, highlighting the island's strategic positioning at the intersection of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

The recognition comes as Malta strengthens transatlantic connections. The Malta Tourism Authority recently opened a New York office, while direct flights from JFK to Malta International Airport are scheduled to launch, facilitating unprecedented connectivity between the jurisdictions.

Malta has undertaken significant regulatory recalibration, with the MFSA's forward-looking approach positioning the country as an exemplar of regulatory agility within the EU. Recent frameworks specifically recognize the realities of family offices, creating dynamic, fit-for-purpose regulation that balances compliance with innovation—offering US businesses attractive opportunities to expand their European reach and access the EU's 450 million consumers.