Malta Finance Centre Highlights - Fiduciary Future, Nicosia

In this presentation, Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, Tax Partner of Chetcuti Cauchi, speaks about the highlights of Malta's Finance Centre and higlights the latest developments in Malta's tax law. Dr Chetcuti was speaking at Fiduciary Future Cyprus 2012, held at the Hilton Park Hotel, Nicosia, Cyprus on the 31st October 2012.

Salient Aspects of Malta's Finance Centre

Malta's relevance as a top finance centre revolves around Malta's holistic approach to international business, emphasising the quality of business conducted in Malta through serious due diliigence. Moreover regulated business activities are properly regulated and supervised by governement authorities that are competent, responsive and approachable. Tax-efficiency remains a key strength in the jurisdiction that allows planning opportunities in the areas of asset structuring, international business and private clients. Topics covered by this presentation include VAT planning for the aviation and yacht sectors, Maltese collective investment funds, investment services licences, forex regulation, captive insurance in Malta. In the area of private clients planning, Dr Chetcuti give an overview of the residence schemes available in Malta, particularly the HNWI Residence Scheme, the HQP Scheme and the Business Immigration Scheme.

Recent Updates from Malta Finance Centre

Developments in Malta's tax system include:

• a widening of the definition of intellectual property, extending the Malta tax exemption on royalties income to copyright and advance royalties;
• an extension of the definition of participating holding to include a holding of a company in a collective investment vehicle;

Malta Finance at Fiduciary Future, Cyprus

The deliberations of the Fiduciary Future Conference focused on three main areas that are of particular relevance and importance at this time:

• Tax, Legal and the Economy
• Future of Banking and Financial Services
• Emerging Opportunities