Most new businesses operate in services sector

A staggering 95 per cent of new resident business units operated in the services sector last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that in 2009, the majority of business units - 81 per cent - were sole owners or partnerships.

This proportion in 2001 had stood at about 76 per cent. Micro enterprises continue to form the backbone of Maltese industry, with over 97 per cent of businesses in 2009.

This share is essentially in line with the share recorded in 2001.

While the proportion of manufacturing enterprises contracted to six per cent in 2009, 'other business activities' increased their share from 8.8 per cent in 2001 to 12.7 per cent eight years later.

In 2009, 1,413 business units operated in 'computer and related activities' against 458 in 2001, while 'recreational, cultural and sporting activities' comprised 3,753 units in 2009 compared to 2,442 units in 2001.

Other sectors such as 'construction' and 'retail trade' registered considerably higher units.