There is certainly a great need for retail investors to join forces to defend their interests. The investment world is full of risks and if there is no one to guide investors, the risk would be much greater.
Investment advice for the (wo)man in the street is very lacking in Malta and, as this country has now become an important financial centre, the Maltese are continually being enticed by many financial providers to buy their products.
This will certainly result in many retail investors falling for this enticement and, due to lack of guidance, it is very probable that they will invest haphazardly and will later regret their decision when they realise that the investment they bought was not adequate for their circumstances.
Unfortunately, most Maltese investors have not yet realised that it is necessary that they join an association like the Malta Association of Small Shareholders. In fact, less than one per cent of Maltese investors have joined this organisation.
At the moment the association is going through an intensive exercise to encourage Maltese investors to become members. Every month the association organises a conference during which a professional speaker talks about a subject of interest to investors.
Those who attend these conferences are invited to become members and all they pay as membership is €5 yearly, which covers the monthly mailing of the association’s newsletter.
The association is continually in contact with all companies quoted on the Malta Stock Exchange. It also maintains contact with most companies that offer investment advice. This ensures that, as much as possible, local investors would be warned about any risk that arises.
This year the association will be conducting a survey that will give it better information about investors. This will ensure that the association will be in a better position to help such people.
I encourage investors to become a member of the association so as to ensure that someone is taking care of their interests. For more information, one should access the website www.mass.org.mt or send an e-mail to info@mass.org.mt.