Message from Ambassadors

Malta– Japan’s Partner in the Heart ofthe Mediterranean Sea
André SPITERI
Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Japan
André SPITERI was appointed as Ambassador of Malta to Japan in July 2014. He played apivotal role in establishing Malta’s Embassy in Japan in September 2020, becoming the firstresident Ambassador. With a background in various positions within Malta’s MFA, Ambassador
Spiteri holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Ritsumeikan University.

sandy beaches, and azure sea. With various airconnections, Malta is accessible to many
people from Japan that choose to visit us fortourism, English language studying and otheractivities. Being in the European Union, thecurrency is Euro and being in the SchengenZone, there is no need of a visa for travellingless than 90 days for Japanese citizens. The
availability of world-class healthcare,education, and leisure activities ensures that
relocating employees and their families canenjoy a comfortable and fulfilling life in Malta.
Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta
boasts a strategic location that bridges Europe, Africa,and the Middle East due to its strategic position. TheMaltese islands were infact an important strategic basefor many civilizations like the Phoenicians, Romans,
Byzantines, Arabs, Knights of St. John (now known asthe Knights of Malta), as well as the French and British
Empires. Having gained independence in 1964 andmembership in the European Union in 2004, Malta
looks forward to increased cooperation with likeminded countries like Japan. This geographic advantage
positions the country as a gateway for Japanesebusinesses looking to establish a foothold in multiple
regions. The island’s well-connected natural ports
coupled with modern infrastructure facilitate efficient
trade routes, ensuring the smooth movement of goods
and services.

Tourism and Quality of Life
Perhaps one of the first images for Japanese people
about Malta is a tourist resort with ample sunshine,
342023.9

The Economy
Malta consistently receives strong marks fromprominent credit rating agencies like Moody’s, S&P,
and Fitch for its resilient and stable economy. According
to leading economists, Malta’s economy displays anotable degree of flexibility. This means that whenconfronted with local or global challenges, such as theCOVID-19 pandemic, its relatively compact economic
structure enables a faster recovery compared to larger
economies.
The backbone of Malta’s economy is its banking sector.
Banks are well-capitalised, highly solvent, and largely
take a traditional approach to financing based on retaildeposits, which has served them well to navigate
international tempests like the financial crisis in 2008
and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, making Malta’s
economy very robust and resilient. Although Malta is in
the eurozone, the facility to open foreign currency
accounts is common. Due to anti-money laundering

Valletta, the capital of Maltaregulations, due diligence is very strict. This means thatthe jurisdiction is one of conducting legitimate business,to cement Malta’s reputation as a respected European
financial centre.

Sectors of Interest for Japan
Maritime Sector: Although thousands of kilometresapart, Malta and Japan are connected by the sea. Malta’s
flourishing maritime sector or blue economy contributes
a substantial 14% to its GDP and supports around22,000 jobs. Today, Malta offers modern facilities fortranshipment and distribution; a cruise liners hub;international yacht marinas; a very successful andefficient Freeport and oil terminal. The Malta Freeport,

operated is the 3rd largest in the Mediterranean,
handling around 3 million containers annually. Being
just six nautical miles from the main Mediterranean Sea
routes between Gibraltar and Suez Canal, Malta canoffer various logistical advantages for Japanesecompanies looking to expand in Europe, the Middle
East and Africa.
Renewable
EnergyCollaborations:
Malta’scommitment to sustainable development presents
opportunities for Japanese firms to collaborate on
renewable energy projects such as solar and wind power.
By leveraging Japan’s expertise in clean energy
technology, Japanese companies can contribute to
Malta’s energy transition while gaining access to theMalta Freeport
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Quad Central Malta Business Centre

European and African renewable energy market. Of
particular interest are hydrogen projects and offshore
wind farms and other related projects that would requirea large space of sea.
ICT and Innovation Centers: Establishing informationand communication technology (ICT) and innovation
centers in Malta can foster synergies between Japanesetechnological advancements and Maltese innovation.
This collaboration can result in cutting-edge solutions,research, and development, benefiting both nations andcreating a hub for technological excellence.

Enterprise, specifically its Business First Portal on
https://www.businessfirst.com.mt/ .This is a point ofsingle contact which serves as a gateway to government
business information and services. Here you will findpractical information on Malta and how to set up abusiness, including details on regulations – both genericand industry specific. Moreover, Malta Enterprise canassist in pre-investment fact finding, allocation ofindustrial space, access to finance, investment credits
and schemes to assist Japanese companies in export
capabilities, research, and innovation, and more.

Conclusion
Financial Services and Fintech: Malta’s strategic
location and regulatory framework make it an attractive
destination for financial services and fintech companies.
Japanese financial institutions and fintech startups canbenefit from Malta’s fintech-friendly policies and use
the country as a gateway to access European markets.
Manufacturing and Trade: Collaborations between
Japanese manufacturers and Maltese businesses canlead to the development of high-quality products forboth regional and global markets. Malta’s logisticaladvantages make it a valuable partner for trade andmanufacturing ventures.

The partnership between Japanese businesses and Malta
holds the promise of a mutually beneficial collaborationthat can lead to economic growth, innovation, andcultural enrichment. Through specific projects acrosssectors such as renewable energy, ICT, maritimeservices, tourism, financial services, and manufacturing,
Japanese companies can capitalize on Malta’s strategic
location in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.
お問い合わせJOI 事業企画部

E-mail：bd@joi.or.jp

Where to Start?

駐日マルタ共和国大使館

Email：maltaembassy.tokyo@gov.mt

For most business investors, the first port of call is Malta36

2023.9https://twitter.com/MaltainJapan