Amid rising exposure to sanctions-related risk across sectors, Diligex, with the participation of the Malta Sanctions Monitoring Board (SMB) and Cedar Rose, successfully hosted the Sanctions: Trade Risk & Compliance Leadership Breakfast at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar.
The in-person event brought together a select audience of C-suite executives, directors, MLROs, compliance officers, and senior due diligence professionals from across the shipping, import/export, trading, and financial services sectors. The session delivered high-level content focused on the real-world application of sanctions compliance, reflecting both recent legislative developments and international enforcement trends.
The morning featured a structured and practical agenda designed to provide both technical depth and real-world relevance. Following a networking breakfast, Diligex opened the session with a welcome address, setting the tone for a day centered on the growing importance of sanctions due diligence across both regulated and non-regulated entities.
Diligex CEO Matthew Agius Mamo welcomes a full house of professionals and businesses as he delivers the opening remarks at the Sanctions Trade Risk & Compliance Leadership Breakfast
A keynote address by the Malta Sanctions Monitoring Board followed, offering attendees an overview and the most recent legislative updates entering into force in lieu of Bill 145, 16th July 2025. The presentation outlined key updates to sanctions requirements, the implications of the latest EU package, and the expectations placed on both subject and non-subject persons.
Bringing an international perspective, Cedar Rose delivered a presentation titled "Where Are They Hiding?" a deep dive into the risks of unknowingly engaging with sanctioned entities through complex or opaque supply chains. The presentation emphasized the importance of enhanced due diligence and the need for access to reliable intelligence across jurisdictions.
The second half of the morning was devoted to translating knowledge into practice. A sanctions case study workshop invited participants to apply their understanding to realistic scenarios involving potential breaches and circumvention risks.
This was followed by an interactive panel discussion and live Q&A, featuring representatives from Diligex, Cedar Rose, and the Malta Sanctions Monitoring Board. The panel offered analysis on the case studies and shared insights from both local and international enforcement environments, creating an open forum for high-level dialogue between regulators, service providers, and industry decision-makers.
Panel Speakers Matthew Agius Mamo - CEO Diligex, Jeanette Gatt - Chief Compliance Advisory Officer Diligex, Gabrielle Caligari Conti - Assistant Director, Transnational Threats and Sanctions, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and Argirios Dristas, Director - Europe (Key Account) at Cedar Rose.
During the Sanctions - Trade Risk & Compliance Leadership Breakfast, four expert speakers shared critical insights on the growing importance of sanctions compliance, with a particular emphasis on ownership and control. Gabrielle Caligari Conti, Assistant Director for Transnational Threats and Sanctions at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, stressed that "compliance is key" while outlining recent legislative updates. Argirios Dristas, Director - Europe (Key Accounts) at Cedar Rose, emphasized that constant education is crucial, together with the right tools and trustworthy resources, to identify hidden risks in supply chains, where businesses could unknowingly be linked to sanctioned entities through complex ownership structures. From Diligex, Jeanette Gatt, Chief Compliance Advisory Officer, underscored the need for vigilance with the message "Protect yourself and your business", while Matthew Agius Mamo, CEO, reinforced a forward-looking approach, advocating for "proactive rather than corrective action" in managing sanctions risk.
The session concluded with a networking coffee, offering attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with peers and experts navigating similar compliance challenges.
The event took place at a pivotal moment for businesses in Malta and the broader EU. With newly enforced legislative updates and increasing global scrutiny on sanctions compliance, particularly concerning indirect exposure and third-party risk, the Leadership Breakfast offered a timely and strategic opportunity for senior professionals to strengthen their understanding, benchmark their practices, and prepare for heightened regulatory oversight.