PKF Malta hosted its first international information investment session at the Carlton Ritz, Dubai, promoting Malta as a financial services centre.

The session was inaugurated by Economy Minister Chris Cardona and former minister Emmanuel Mallia via personalised video messages.

John Huber, governor of Finance Malta, led a presentation on Malta’s financial services industry and key investment opportunities, while Malta Stock Exchange chairman Joseph Portelli addressed the floor via a virtual video, followed by an exposition by Prof. Joseph Falzon, deputy chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange.

The interactive dialogue kicked off with a question and answer panel chaired by PKF’s Marilyn Mifsud and addressed to Jean Gaffiero, investment consultant at Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors, and Joseph Falzon, director, Medina Asset Management.

During this discussion various types of asset and wealth management structures available in Malta were discussed along with high net worth individual portfolio building and management.

Antonio Varvaro, founder and CEO, Euro Legal Consultants FZE, later delivered a presentation on arbitration and Islamic finance, focusing on resolution by arbitration of disputes arising on contracts founded on Sharia law.

After a networking coffee break, Mir Mahmood, senior sales director of Range Developments, walked the audience through the Citizenship by Investment programme of Dominica in the Caribbean, and Range’s new development at the Cabrits Resort Kempinski.

The second panel discussion followed suit, chaired by PKF’s Dr Mifsud and this time covering real estate, project management and pitting European (Maltese) citizenship by investment against the Caribbean passport.

A stand-up dinner and networking reception followed, leading to a closure of the session with a fine selection of Arabic sweets and coffees.