The number of registered businesses increased by more than eight per cent in 2018 when compared to the previous year, according to national data.
There were a total of 113,256 businesses last year – up from 77,006 in 2013 and 104,798 in 2017.
The National Statistics Office referred to data from the business register, which it said provided one of the most detailed local business profiles in Malta.
According to the data, wholesale and retail trade businesses accounted for 17 per cent of the total registered units in 2018.
Meanwhile, registered units in financial and insurance activities, professional, scientific and technical activities; and administrative and support service activities amounted to 15.6, 12.4 and 8.2 per cent respectively.
In terms of employment, the largest increase was recorded among small entities that employ between 10 and 49 people.
MFSA suspends listings, trading
The Malta Financial Services Authority has suspended the listing and trading of 4.4 per cent Von der Heyden Group Finance plc Unsecured € 2024, after guarantor Timan Investments Holdings Ltd failed to publish the annual audited financial statements for 2018 within the timeframes stipulated in the listing rules.
It also suspended the listing and trading of Global Capital plc Ord €0.291172 and 5 per cent GlobalCapital plc Unsecured €2021 over Global Capital’s failure to publish the annual financial report of 2018 within the timeframes stipulated in the listing rules.
The MFSA said the suspensions were valid until May 16 but could be terminated earlier should the statements be published.
In the case of Bon der Heyden, it said the action was being taken in view of the fact that Von der Heyden Group Finance plc was essentially a special purpose vehicle, set up to act as a finance company solely for the needs of the group.
Von der Heyden Group Finance plc is a fully-owned subsidiary of Timan Investments Holdings Ltd, which is also the parent company of the group.
Country manager for Nestlé
Nestlé, the well-known global food company that owns iconic brands such as Nescafé and Kit Kat, announced a leadership change in Malta and appointed Giuliana Isolani as new country manager, after nine years of management by Naum Janakiev.
Honed through her near-25 years of working internationally as part of the Nestlé Group, Ms Isolani brings to her new role considerable finance and sales experience in several countries.
Her role will be to lead the organisation to fully deploy the Nestlé model, aiming to create value for local partners and stakeholders, and, primarily, for all its consumers and customers.