The FinanceMalta Third Annual Conference, scheduled for 30 April, is arguably the most important annual event on the financial services sector’s calendar, as it brings the industry, government and regulators together to discuss, network and gain insight into developments taking place in the international financial services industry and the opportunities for Malta’s practitioners.
Expanding by 20 per cent in 2009, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Malta’s financial services sector proved both resilient and stable through the financial and economic crisis that crippled markets across the world. As world financial leaders seek to tighten regulation and heighten supervision in response, Malta stands out as one of the few jurisdictions to have an effective and stringent system already in place, a system that not only helped protect its financial institutions during the crisis, but also crucially positions the island as one of the most stable and reliable finance centres in the world.
FinanceMalta chairman Kenneth Farrugia commented: “This conference is highly regarded as the premier annual financial services gathering in Malta, as it brings together policy makers, practitioners and operators from both the domestic and international financial services industry”. This year’s event is being organised with the support of HSBC Bank plc, Custom House Global Fund Services Ltd, the Grand Hotel Excelsior and the Malta Financial Services Authority, among other sponsors.
The programme for the full day conference, entitled Change and Opportunity: Sustaining Growth in a Stable Environment, will address important international financial services themes such as the proposed Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, Solvency II and Islamic Finance. The programme also contains two interesting sessions – on Corporate Governance and International Marketing and Effective Communication – and the future for the Malta Stock Exchange will also be discussed. There will also be a presentation by Angelou Economics, who will provide information on their findings on the financial services industry following the market assessment engagement related to Vision 2015.
This year’s conference will be opened by FinanceMalta chairman Kenneth Farrugia, with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi delivering the keynote address. Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech will deliver the closing address.
Other speakers and panelists include the Director General of the MFSA, Dr Andre Camilleri, and the Chairman of the Stock Exchange, Dr Arthur Galea Salomone. The speaker line up also features a number of international speakers and moderators. These include London-based business consultant Professor Bob Garratt, Martin Roche from Anchor Reputation Management, Oliver Ali Agha from Agha & Shamsi LLC and Simon Osborn from International Fund Investment. Other speakers and panelists include Dr Uwe Eiteljoerge from the Asset Management Unit, European Commission, Poul Erik Skaanning-Jørgensen from BörsKonsult ApS, Dr Markus Mende from Aon Global Risk Consulting and Michael Imeson, contributing editor for The Banker.
FinanceMalta’s 3rd Annual Conference provides practitioners and operators with an opportunity to network and gain insight into the core developments that are shaping Malta’s fastest growing economic sector.
Further information is available from FinanceMalta’s website at www.financemalta.org.