A year of Business First “Mark 2” has shown that increased visibility and ease of use are important to “improve the ecosystem of business in Malta”, Minister for the Economy Chris Cardona said on Thursday.
Business First is a government entity set up to act as a gateway to government business information and services.
Speaking at a press conference in the offices of Business First, Cardona explained the government entity’s one scope was to be used as a “one stop shop” for business hopefuls and business owners a like, and after pushing this concept, Malta jumped 10 places in the competitivity index of the World Economic Forum – from 46th place to 36th place.
“Only one application is needed to start a business, all which can be done online, and can be opened in less than three days.”
In its first year of operations it has received over 17,000 calls, 3,600 emails, and more than 15,000 walk-ins.
Training was also offered to over 400 entrepreneurs.
The reduction in bureaucracy in the last year also helped with this, the Minister explained, including activities such as today’s which causes demands from Business First to spike.
Also speaking at the event, Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar maintained that from the work done along the last six years, Business First was definitely one that stood out.
The idea was to build on things that were working, he said, whilst removing that which does not.
“The concept that public services will come to your region, and not you come to it by jumping from government desk to another.”