Edward Zammit Lewis, Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness, and Economic Growth, this afternoon officially inaugurated an International Three-day conference organised by ITC.  This conference is a worldwide networking event for distributors, traders, brokers and resellers of Consumer IT, Consumer Electronics, and Mobile Devices (smartphones & tablets).

In his speech Dr Zammit Lewis said that Malta is home to online gaming in a big way. Companies from many countries have set up here. They, of course, depend on the best technology. They have gone from strength to strength and they provide many jobs, quality jobs. 

He said that Malta is in the process of launching new initiatives in this sector.  On the other hand Malta will remain at the forefront of ensuring that crime, corruption and money laundering is prevented; and above all it will protect minors and the vulnerable.

He stressed that Malta is a home to companies that work with and develop sophisticated technology. It is also a home to a sound financial services sector.

“We have just issued an expression of interest for the development of a maritime hub that will be an impressive new facility in the Mediterranean,” he said. 

Dr Zammit Lewis said that the new Government started to cut back red tape. Imminently; the Government will be appointing a Simplification Commissioner to reduce bureaucracy in Government departments, agencies and authorities. 

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that he recently launched a Global Residence Programme so that non-EU residents can acquire or rent high value property in Malta, bring their income here, and pay only 15 per cent tax.  The Government has committed itself to opposing tax-harmonization within the EU.