TradeMalta has launched the fourth edition of the Malta International Business Awards (MIBA) 2027, inviting Malta-based businesses to showcase their achievements in exporting, international expansion, innovation and market diversification.
Held under the theme "Exporting. Growing. Expanding. Innovating. Your international journey deserves to be recognised", the awards aim to recognise businesses at different stages of their internationalisation journey, from those entering their first overseas markets to established exporters expanding their global presence.
Opening the launch event, TradeMalta chairperson Daniel Galea said the awards reflected the organisation's commitment to supporting local businesses in pursuing international opportunities and recognising their achievements in overseas markets.
He said the initiative aimed to showcase successful businesses, inspire others to follow their example and encourage more companies to explore opportunities beyond Malta.
TradeMalta chief executive Tania Brown said the awards recognised the ambition and achievements of businesses contributing to Malta's international success.
She encouraged companies to put forward their achievements, whether they were entering their first international market or building an established global presence, noting that every step towards international growth strengthened Malta's competitiveness.
Christopher Cutajar, permanent secretary at the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, said Malta's international economic success depended significantly on the ability of businesses to compete, grow and establish themselves in overseas markets.
He described supporting companies in their internationalisation efforts as an important element in strengthening Malta's international economic presence.
The awards, he added, provided an opportunity to recognise businesses demonstrating ambition, innovation and commitment in taking their products and services to international markets, while encouraging a wider culture of enterprise and international growth.
The launch was also addressed by The Malta Chamber chief executive Marthese Portelli and HSBC Bank Malta head of commercial banking Joyce Grech, who highlighted the importance of international expansion for Malta-based businesses.
Portelli said that, as an island state with an open economy, Malta's domestic market inevitably imposed limits on business growth, making internationalisation an economic imperative for companies seeking to scale up.
She said operating internationally encouraged businesses to raise their standards, compete through higher-value products and services, and adopt advanced digital and sustainable practices. She also congratulated companies pursuing international growth, saying their achievements demonstrated that geographical size was no barrier to competing at a world-class level.
Grech reaffirmed HSBC Malta's commitment to supporting the growth and internationalisation of local businesses. She noted that the bank had supported TradeMalta since its establishment in 2015 and was partnering with the awards for the fourth time.
She described the awards as an important platform for recognising the diversity and ambition of Maltese exporters, adding that they reflected the bank's commitment to helping businesses succeed internationally.
Having served on the judging panel for the previous two editions, Grech said she had been impressed by the quality of local products and services, as well as the determination and passion driving exporters' success overseas.
She encouraged Maltese companies to apply, saying their achievements could inspire other businesses to explore opportunities beyond the domestic market.
Four categories for international business
MIBA 2027 will feature four categories, recognising businesses at different stages of their international development: the Micro and Small Exporter Excellence Award, the Medium and Large Exporter Excellence Award, the Emerging Exporter Award, and the Export Innovation and Diversification Award.
The winner of each category will then compete for the Overall Export Excellence Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in international business.
Applications are now open and will close on Monday, 16 November 2026. Malta-based businesses exporting products or services internationally are invited to submit their applications, outlining their international journey, achievements and future ambitions.
The awards are organised and administered by TradeMalta, in collaboration with HSBC Bank Malta plc as strategic partner and with the participation of Grant Thornton. They are endorsed by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
There is no registration fee to participate.
Further information and application details are available at TradeMalta.org/MIBA or by emailing [email protected].