Malta does not accept applications for citizenship from Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea, Identity Malta Chairman Joe Vella Bonnici told the House Public Accounts Committee today

He was speaking during a discussion on the contract awarded by the government to Henley and Partners as operators of the Individual Investor Programme, better known as the citizenship scheme. 

He explained that the largest number of applicants during the first phase of the project came from Russia and neighbouring countries because these naions were situated close to the European Union and also because of the Cypriot crisis. He said Henley had a strong presence in Russia and some Maltese agents also passed on clients of their own to Henley.

Mr Vella Bonnici said the market will be diversified over time, also because Malta was trying to infiltrate the Chinese market. It was also attracting applicants from Brazil and other countries.

Mr Vella Bonnici said that Henley and Partners get four per cent commission form all applications. This was slightly higher than under the original scheme but the eventual revenue would be lower in that under the current scheme, the number of citizenships which may be granted had been capped. 

He said Identity Malta gets six per cent commission.

Up to now more than 700 applications had been received, with Maltese approved agents accounting for more than 110. Maltese agents were directly paid by their clients. They could also enter into other arrangements with Henley but this was not obligatory.