“Malta wants your talent, not your money.  Your networks, not your accounts.  This is because we are about the future, not the past,” PM Joseph Muscat told delegates at the Henley and Partners Global Citizenship Seminar in New York yesterday.

“Those who apply, endure the tight due diligence and scrutiny, and get selected to join the exclusive and limited pool of Maltese citizens, will be part of our future.”

Dr Muscat said successful applicants will become part of a country that has registered the highest Q2 to Q1 economic growth in the European Union, that has the third lowest unemployment rate in Europe and that is recording some of the highest job creation rates in the region. “That is why the Individual Investor Programme is a unique international success. That is why we are inviting you to be part of it.”

The Prime Minister said results over the last six quarters have shown that there is an increased appetite by foreign direct investors to operate from Malta in areas as diverse as life sciences, aviation services, international logistics, regional telecommunications, education and training. “We are not just patiently and passively waiting for such FDI.  We are putting our money where our mouth is by investing in the constant upgrading of our infrastructure, itself another opportunity for investors, and proactively targeting the right sort of investors.”

Malta is also working hard to upgrade its tourism product.  Dr Muscat said Malta has one of the most competitive frameworks in Europe and the country also ventured into legislating in relatively new areas, namely remote gaming.

“We are now using a more innovative approach in other areas, such as logistics, where we will transform Malta in the foremost logistics hub in the Mediterranean, joining Asia to Africa as part of what is being termed as the new green silk road.”

Countries are imitating each other when it comes to initiatives but Malta is different because of the short legislative distance between investors and policymakers.

“All this has one underlying theme, namely innovation. It is within this context that Malta has decided to move forward with a brave approach to citizenship.  That is why we came out with the ground breaking Individual Investor Programme, the only Citizenship by Investment programme sanctioned by the European Commission. I just tell you what we are after.  It can be explained in one word.  And no, it is not "money".  It is "talent".