Trudy Kerr

Maria Luís Albuquerque

Hon. Jerome Caruana Cilia

Discussion Topics:
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- How niche financial services drive Malta’s global positioning
- Fintech, capital markets, insurance, and asset management as growth pillars
- The role of government and industry in building long-term resilience
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Moderator: Trudy Kerr

Panellists:
-Jesmond Gatt, Chairman, MFSA
-Charlotte Crosswell, Chair, Raidiam
-Louis Degabriele, Managing Partner, Camilleri Preziosi
-Mike Wardle, CEO, The Z/YEN Group of Companies

Breakout Session 1: Beyond Compliance: Integrating ESG to Drive Business Growth in the Mediterranean

This breakout session, organised in collaboration with Weave Consulting under the EU co-funded Train4ESG project, explores how Maltese SMEs and financial services providers can harness Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as drivers of growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. Beyond ticking regulatory boxes, ESG integration is increasingly seen as essential for business resilience, attracting investment, enhancing reputation, and tapping into new market opportunities. Join ESG experts, finance professionals, and sustainability pioneers in an engaging panel discussion to discover practical strategies, tools, and insights that can turn ESG commitments into competitive advantages.

MODERATOR: Roberta Lepre, Weave Consulting - the ESG Specialists

PANELISTS:
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- Prof. Marie Briguglio, UM

- Norbert Paul Vella, Partner at PwC Malta

- Mark Watkinson, Former International Banking CEO and Director

- Vaiva Kiaupaite-Gruisniene, Senior Lecturer, TalTech

Breakout Session 2: The Future of Asset Management: Bridging Traditional Investments & Crypto

As digital assets gain traction in institutional portfolios, asset managers must navigate the evolving landscape of crypto, tokenization, and traditional investments. This panel brings together leading asset managers and family office executives to discuss how digital assets are reshaping investment strategies, risk management, and regulatory frameworks. Panellists will explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities in integrating crypto into traditional portfolios, the role of institutional adoption, and what the future holds for alternative investments in a rapidly shifting financial ecosystem.

MODERATOR: Elaine Bonnici, Director, AQA Capital Ltd

PANELISTS:

- Pedro Noronha, Founder, Noster Capital Management

- Daniele Bernardi, CEO @ Diaman Partners Ltd | Digital Asset Management

- Dr. Volker Kang, Asset & Wealth Management Consulting | Regulation & Compliance | Operations | Technology, KPMG

- Nes Ozkan, Driving business growth | Strategic Growth & Partnerships | digital assets, tokenization & real world assets

Breakout Session 3: Capital Markets: The Road Ahead through Private Equity, Venture Capital & Global Listings

This session will explore how Malta can enhance its capital markets by fostering a robust private equity and venture capital ecosystem, elevating market depth and liquidity, and positioning itself as an attractive hub for foreign listings. Industry leaders will discuss strategies to strengthen investor confidence, regulatory frameworks, and international competitiveness, ensuring Malta’s financial sector remains a key player in global markets.

Presentation: Rory Renshaw, Partner, Simmons & Simmons LLP

MODERATOR: Herald Bonnici, Secretary General, Malta Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (PEVCA Malta)

PANELISTS:

- Simon Zammit, CEO, Malta Stock Exchange

- Rory Renshaw, Partner, Simmons & Simmons LLP

- Patrick Mangion, Head of Capital Markets, Calamatta Cuschieri MoneyBase

Breakout Session 4: Captives Reimagined: Malta’s role in the Global Insurance Arena

As global risk management needs evolve, captive insurance is experiencing a strategic revival. This session explores Malta’s positioning as a leading EU jurisdiction for captive insurance structures, examining how recent regulatory developments and international trends are reshaping the landscape. Industry experts and regulators will discuss Malta’s unique advantages, challenges in cross-border supervision, and the jurisdiction’s potential to attract new business amid increasing scrutiny and innovation in insurance.

MODERATOR: Matthew Bianchi, Deputy Chairman, FinanceMalta

PANELISTS:

- David Galea, Office Head, Marsh Management Services Malta Limited

- Ray Schembri, Head, Insurance Unit, MFSA

- Phil Clark, Director of Insurance, Group Insurance, Vodafone

- EIOPA

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This panel explores Malta’s strategic efforts to attract and sustain investment in financial services, examining how agencies, regulators, and private sector actors can work together to position Malta as a high-quality, business-friendly jurisdiction. The discussion will cover licensing, company registration, sector-specific support schemes, and operational ease for international players.

Discussion Topics:

- Investment incentives and ease of doing business in Malta

- The role of registries and regulatory certainty in attracting foreign firms

- Case studies and best practices in company setup and scaling

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PANELISTS: Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director, World Alliance of International Financial Centers
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MODERATOR:

- Geraldine Spiteri Lucas, CEO, Malta Business Registry

- George Gregory, CEO, Malta Enterprise

- Garreth Genner, Trust Stamp

- Alison Micallef, CEO, Malta Development Bank

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As global tax regulations evolve, Malta’s financial sector must stay ahead of shifting compliance requirements, digital trends, and international reforms. This panel will explore the latest developments in global tax policies, including OECD initiatives, EU directives, and corporate tax reforms, and assess their impact on Malta’s financial landscape. Experts will discuss strategies for businesses to navigate these changes while maintaining competitiveness and compliance.

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- AI-empowered Tax Authorities and Tax compliance
- The OECD's Pillars 1 and 2: state of play
- New and upcoming EU directives: their implications for financial services
- Tax transparency: finding a balance with competitiveness and sustainability

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Joseph Caruana, Tax Commissioner, MTCA

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MODERATOR: Juanita Brockdorff, Founding Partner, Brockdorff Grech Law

PANELISTS:

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- Joseph Caruana, Tax Commissioner, Malta Tax and Customs Administration [MTCA]

- Aldo Farrugia, Director General, Legal, Technical and International Affairs, MTCA

- Prof John Vella, Professor of Law, University of Oxford

- Benjamin Angel, Director, Directorate ‘Direct taxation, tax coordination, economic analysis and evaluation’

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