Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas

The fifth edition of the Finance Malta Investment Guide and Business Directory was launched yesterday.

The handbook is the official publication of the islands’ finance industry and is meant to create a fuller picture of the finance sector for the international market.

Finance Malta chairman Kenneth Farrugia said the book complimented five other sector guides published by the organisation.

These were all based on Finance Malta’s core sectors. Mr Farrugia said the 324-page business must-have provided a point of reference for corporate leaders and their advisors, seeking a clearer understanding of the opportunities on offer.

The 2014 edition includes detailed profiles on industry professionals in more than 20 business segments, including banking, funds, insurance and wealth management.

In addition, the handbook has been expanded to include fast-developing sectors such as financial software development, payments, corporate treasury, philanthropy and foreign exchange trading.

It also features company profiles of over 130 operators and service providers, including, banks, law firms, accountants and other professionals.

Competitiveness Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis said the guide fitted in perfectly with the government’s vision for the industry.

“Financial services contribute some 8.5 per cent of our GDP which is considerable, we want to attract more foreign direct investment to the Maltese environment, which is robust and adaptable,” he said.