New research from fund management group MPG (the Managing Partners Group), one of the sponsors of the Commonwealth Business Forum 2015, currently taking place in Malta, reveals that 70 per cent of institutional investors see the financial services sector as one of the top three sectors for offering the best growth opportunities within the Commonwealth. This is followed by technology (65 per cent) and tourism and transport (50 per cent).

However, 85 per cent of those interviewed believe there needs to be more commonality in regulatory principles to help facilitate rapid expansion of the financial services sector within the Commonwealth.

Malta has invested heavily in becoming one of the world’s leading financial services centres

The good news for Malta is that 73 per cent of institutional investors believe the country, which is already a leading global financial centre, is in a ‘good/ strong’ or ‘extremely strong’ position to capitalise on this.

Jeremy Leach, chief executive officer, MPG said: “A combination of a young and growing population and workforce, a dramatically expanding middle class people and strong economic growth means the opportunities for the financial services industry within the Commonwealth are vast.

“Malta has invested heavily in becoming one of the world’s leading financial services centres, and it is well positioned to benefit from the growth within financial services in the Commonwealth and beyond. This is one of the key reasons why we are planning to open an office here.”