An international conference on banking and finance in small states, organised by the Islands and Small States Institute, began yesterday with participants from various countries, including Pakistan, Malawi, Trinidad and Tobago, Kenya, Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Samoa, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Niue Island.

In his opening speech Prof. Lino Briguglio, CEO of International Studies, referred to the success story of Malta’s financial sector which, he said, was the result of a sound regulatory regime, stable political atmosphere and entrepreneurship on the part of financial services providers. Mr John Caruana from the Central Bank of Malta and Ms Hanan El Khatib from the Foreign Affairs Ministry also addressed the

conference.

The workshop will be spread over 15 days. Further information is obtainable from the Islands and Small States Institute, Foundation for International Studies, St Paul Street, Valletta, Tel: 2124-8218, email: [email protected] or the website http: //home. um.edu.mt /islands/conference/