Malta and Italy will set up joint technical working groups to evaluate areas of further bilateral cooperation on tax matters, including the enforcement of tax collection.

This was agreed by Maltese Minister for Finance, Edward Scicluna, and his Italian counterpart, Pier Carlo Padoan, during a meeting held in Rome yesterday.

Minister Scicluna explained that, in a bid to strengthen its tax enforcement structures, Malta is looking closely at best practices in other countries. In this respect, he requested bilateral cooperation in this area, so that Maltese officers are better placed to evaluate the Italian model.

Minister Padoan remarked that he understood and appreciated Malta’s growth-friendly fiscal consolidation strategy. The bilateral relations between Malta and Italy were strong and good, he said.  Additionally, the flow of investment between the two countries is healthy.  He added that, on its part, Italy is committed to continue strenthening its already close cooperation with Malta. 

Whilst thanking Minister Padoan for his commitment to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, Minister Scicluna referred to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)’s mandate to operate in North Africa.  Such a mandate provides new opportunities. Malta is encouraging the EBRD’s involvement in the North African countries and is offering to serve as a base from which the Bank can conduct its operations.  The Italian Minister promised his support to the Maltese proposal.

The Maltese delegation in Rome included Malta’s Ambassador to Italy, Ms Vanessa Frazier, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Finance, Mr Alfred Camilleri, and the Director General at the International Tax Unit, Mr Aldo Farrugia.

Minister Padoan, on his part, was flanked by several high-ranking Italian officers from the Ministry for Finance, the Treasury and the Guardia di Finanza, as well as by the Italian Ambassador to Malta, Giovanni de Vito.