IFSP Conference 2023

Transforming Financial Services: The Time is Now!

IFSP conference 2023
Friday, 19 May 2023
Hilton Malta, Portomaso Suite

The IFSP’s Annual Conference will be looking at the changes, the industry in Malta needs to undertake, in the short term, to ensure a brighter future for practitioners in a constantly evolving economic and political climate.

The MFSAC’s strategy for the Financial Services Industry will be in the public domain by the date of the IFSP Conference and will inform debate during the sessions. This is not all; the conference will tackle a range of other, complementary issues such as striking the right balance between burdensome bureaucratic requirements and conduct of business, and of course the constant challenges in tax. The debate should be a lively one, not to be missed!

Make sure you are part of the discussion!

Conference Agenda

0745 – 0900
Registration

0900 – 0910
Welcome Address
Tonio Zarb

0910 – 0940
Fireside Chat: Developments at MBR
Stephen Attard chats with Geraldine Spiteri Lucas
In conversation with the Registrar of Companies, Stephen Attard explores the way the company registry is evolving, the challenges it faces and the impact that has on practitioners and their businesses.

0940 – 0955
A Strategy for Financial Services
Keynote Address by Joseph Zammit Tabona on the MFSAC 10-year Strategy Plan
The newly launched 10-year strategy plan in a nutshell, with a look into how it is being put into practice, from the man who spearheaded its creation.

0955 – 1010
Keynote Address
Hon. Minister Clyde Caruana

1010 – 1030
Connecting To Prosper – Mutuality Among Financial Centres
Prof. Michael Mainelli
While financial centres exist in a competitive system that encourages high performance, that system equally exhibits strong elements of cooperation and collaboration that encourage constant improvement and renewed targeting to address society’s deeper needs. In turn, society has a number of mechanisms for resource creation and distribution, ranging from command-and-control to government planning, taxation… Read More

1030 – 1100
Coffee Break

1100 – 1140
Panel Discussion: Damned if you do, Damned if you don’t! Where does bureaucracy cross the line with inefficiency?
While bureaucracy is needed, at what point does it become too much, shifting from an essential part of the infrastructure supporting business activity to a drag on the economy?
Moderator: Wayne Pisani 
Speakers: Hon. Minister Clyde Caruana, Tonio Zarb, Prof. Michael Mainelli, Kenneth Farrugia, Marthese Portelli

1140 – 1200
Update on the MFSA 
Keynote Address by Kenneth Farrugia

1200 – 1245
Panel discussion: Let’s Talk Tax!
In what has become a regular feature of the IFSP’s conferences, four of Malta’s leading tax practitioners and experts discuss the trends they see in taxation and the impact those trends are likely to have.
Speakers: Neville Gatt, Andre Zarb, Conrad Cassar Torreggiani, Robert Attard

1245 – 1345
Lunch

1345 – 1405
Malta’s Economic Update
Keynote Address by Dr Gordon Cordina
Malta’s economy is evolving, and economist Gordon Cordina will be giving a quick update on its direction of travel.

1405 – 1445
Panel Discussion: Malta at an Economic Crossroads – where do we go from here?
The final aim is economic growth. To achieve that requires both a transformation and efficiency in business practices but also in the business environment.
Moderator: Juanita Bencini 
Speakers: Gordon Cordina, Vincent Rizzo, Mark Micallef, Stefano Mallia, Nick Xuereb

1445 – 1545
Breakout 1: Developments in Tax
Two EU-wide tax-related initiatives are having a direct impact on the practice of financial services in Malta and will be discussed in this session.
Moderator: Juanita Brockdorff
DAC 7: Ian Zahra
Unshell Directive: Ivan Zammit & Michelle De Maria

1445 – 1545
Breakout 2: Funds and Capital Markets: What is on the horizon?
Development is happening in the regulated business sphere as well; the advent of Notified PIFs as well as the potential of development in areas including sustainable finance are the subject of this session.
NPIFs: James Farrugia, Michael Buhagiar
Capital Markets and Growth Opportunities: Patrick Mangion, George Vella, Nick Curmi, Malcolm Falzon

1445 – 1545
Breakout 3: New Horizons for Malta: AI and Fintech
This is an area highlighted in the 10-year strategy for financial services. The use of digital technology in finance, and also the rise of AI, have the potential to drive positive growth and introduce a new paradigm.
Speakers: Gege Gatt, Ronald Attard, Theo Dix, Prof. Alexiei Dingli, Hermann Ciappara

1545 – 1605
Coffee Break

1605 – 1620
Keynote Address
Hon. Jerome Caruana Cilia

1620 – 1710
Panel Discussion – Malta’s Banking situation – a lifeline or stifler to business? 
How does Malta’s banking environment impact financial businesses? The situation is a complex one, to be discussed here by bankers, their business clients and the financial intelligence agency.
Moderator: Chris Curmi
Speakers: Kenneth Farrugia, David Delicata, Etienne Borg Cardona, Alfred Zammit, Henry Schmeltzer

1710
Closing Address
Tonio Zarb

Registration

We would like to inform you that, as of now, we have closed our registration system as we have reached the maximum number of registrations. Thank your interest!

How many CPE hours are allocated to this event?

This Conference reaches the required Continuing Professional Development standards and benchmarks of the MIA and so it is accredited with Core 6.25 CPE Hours.

Sponsorship Opportunities

While you’re looking at joining the discussion, take a look at our sponsorship opportunities to get more closely involved with us and the issues we cover. The benefits of these packages and other related information are available in the below brochure.  If you have any queries or wish to reserve a package, kindly contact Ms Lindsey Busuttil on events@ifsp.org.mt.

Click here to download our Sponsorship Packages Brochure

Meet Our Sponsors ….

Platinum Sponsor – Malta Stock Exchange

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) manages three markets and a Central Securities Depository (CSD). The Regulated Main Market (RMM) and the Institutional Financial Securities Market (IFSM) are regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and Prospects MTF is regulated by the MSE. The MSE CSD provides post-trading clearing and settlement and handles new issues registration, administration of dematerialized securities, and custody services. It also services international clients through its link with Clearstream Banking AG.

Platinum Sponsor – KPMG

KPMG in Malta is one of the leading providers of audit, tax and advisory services. Our vision is to be our clients’ clear choice, the employer of choice, and also to maintain the highest levels of trust by the community. Our work is client-centric, and we integrate innovative methodologies and deep expertise to deliver results. This translates into a high level of client satisfaction. Our experience ranges from multinationals to promising startups, private to public sector undertakings, and local to international clientele. Our values remain at the heart of all we do; shared by all our firms in 144 countries. KPMG (including Microsoft Business Solutions) is the largest professional services provider in Malta, with over 900 employees.

Gold Sponsor – RSM Malta

RSM Malta was established in 2005 by a team of reputable partners who are Certified Public Accountants with several years of working experience in the profession. The firm employs graduates and paraprofessionals with backgrounds in accounting, finance, taxation, corporate law and information technology.  As an integrated team, RSM shares skills, insights, and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that’s based on a deep understanding of your business. The firm is a member of RSM International; a worldwide network of independent professional services firms, providing audit, tax, and specialist advisory services to ambitious growing organisations around the globe.

Gold Sponsor – PKF Malta

PKF Malta is a fast-growing, progressive firm specialising in audit & assurance, tax, advisory services, and internal audit insurance. We provide services to a wide array of clients in a variety of sectors. PKF Malta embraces the world’s leading analytics platform, Tableau, with its built-in visual best practices, it provides limitless data exploration without interrupting the flow of analysis. As the market-leading choice for modern business intelligence, with interactive, visual analytics that helps us eliminate the back-and-forth change requests of traditional reporting.

Gold Sponsor – GANADO Advocates 

Ganado Advocates is a leading commercial law firm with a particular focus on the corporate, financial services and maritime /aviation sectors, predominantly servicing international clients doing business through Malta. The firm also promotes other areas such as tax, pensions, intellectual property, employment and litigation. Ganado Advocates has over the past decades contributed directly towards creating and enhancing Malta’s hard-won reputation as a reliable and effective international centre for financial and maritime services. Today, the firm continues to provide high standards of legal advisory services to support and enhance Malta’s offering.

Gold Sponsor – Camilleri Preziosi

Camilleri Preziosi Advocates shares a commitment to deliver considered and practical outcomes and add value to its clients – this is done through a strong work ethic, based on integrity, mutual respect, and excellence in the practice of law. The firm is respected by clients and peers for its consistent ability to deliver pragmatic and solution-driven advice to clients.

Other Information ….

Pre-Conference Press Release published on Monday, 15th May 2023

Post-Conference Press Release published on Friday, 26th May 2023