The following is a summary of the relevant features of Malta as an international financial centre.
(a) Location: Malta is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, about 60 miles south of Italy and 180 miles north of North Africa.
(b) Political factors: Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a Republic within the Common Wealth in 1974. The remaining foreign military forces left in 1979 and Malta incorporated neutrality into its constitution in 1987. Malta became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.
Malta’s legislative power is exercised by an independent judiciary. The President of the Republic is appointed by the House of Representatives every five years.
Malta is a member of the Council of Europe and of the Commonwealth of Nations. It entered into an association agreement with the European Union regulations and directives are a major source of legislation.
(c) Legal System: Malta is basically a civil law country; however, 160 years of British rule have left their mark on Malta’s legal system. In fact, although Malta has a civil code largely based on the Napoleonic Code, other aspects of the Maltese law bear a British stamp. This is particularly true in the areas of public law (constitutional law, administrative law, fiscal law, public international law and criminal procedure) and certain important aspects of commercial law. European Union regulations and directives are a major source of legislation.
(d) Population and language: The population of the island is approximately 410.000. Maltese and English are the official languages, with English being the business language. Italian is also widely spoken.
(e) Currency: from 1 January 2008, Malta’s official currency is the euro (€).
MALTESE COMPANIES
The law regulating Maltese companies is the Companies Act, which in line with various concepts of European Union company law. A commercial partnership established under the Act may be either:
1. a partnership en nom collectif
2. a partnership en commandite, or
3. a partnership anonyme or limited liability company.
The first two follow civil law principles, whereas the limited liability company envisaged by the Companies Act is based on the UK Companies Act. European Union Company Law Directives have also been incorporated in this Act. The limited liability company is by far the most commonly used. Please see more information below:
(a) Incorporation
(1) Procedure: A company is constituted when its memorandum and
articles of association are entered into and subscribed by at least two
people, unless the company is a single member company, field with the
Registrar of Companies and a Certificate of Registration is issued. Most
companies are incorporated within 24 hours from the submission of all
necessary documentation, including evidence that the initial paid up
share capital has been deposited in a local bank.
(2) The memorandum and articles of association of a company must state:
(i) whether the company is a public or private company
(ii) the name, surname and residence of each of the
subscribers. The identity of the shareholders may be either disclosed or
enclosed
(iii) the name of the Company
(iv) the registered office in Malta of the Company
(v) the objects of the company
(vi) the amount of share capital with which the company
is to be registered (authorised capital), the division thereof into
shares of a fixed amount, the number of shares taken up by each of the
subscribers and the amount paid up in respect of each share
(vii) the number of the directors and the name and
residence of the director or directors, and in the case of any such
director being a body corporate, the name and registered office of the
body corporate.
(b) Capital Structure
Capitalisation: Companies must have a minimum authorised and
issued share capital of € 1.165, at least 20% of which must be paid up
on subscription. There are no dept/ equity restrictions except in
relation to banks and insurance companies. Companies whose activities
are within Malta and which have foreign shareholders are also subject to
these capitalisation requirements.
(c) Shares and Shareholders
Shares in Maltese companies must be registered. Registered shares must
be issued partly paid (20% minimum). Authorised fiduciary companies may
hold shares on behalf of the beneficial owner.
A private company must:
(1) restrict the right to transfer its shares
(2) limit the number of its members to 50
(3) prohibit any invitation to the public to subscribe for any of its shares or debentures
(4) the minimum number of shareholders is two
(d) Management
A Maltese company’s affairs are managed by a board of directors
consisting of one or more directors appointed by the shareholders.
Every company is required to hold and annual general meeting in each year, and not more than 15 months should elapse between one annual meeting and the next.
(e) Local Presence
A Maltese company must have its registered office in Malta. Director’s meeting may, however, be held anywhere in the world.
(f) Accounting and Audit requirements
A Maltese company is required to keep proper books of account and the
directors must lay a profit and loss account and balance sheet before
the company in general meeting at least once every calendar year. The
company’s financial statements are to be audited by an auditor duly
appointed in general meeting.
Audited financial statements are to be filed with the Registrar of Companies. A copy of these statements is also submitted with a company’s income tax return to the tax authorities.
(g) Double Tax Treaties
Malta has many tax treaties which can be used in tax planning
(h) Directors
The minimum number of directors is one. Bearer shares permitted: No
