With a written records dating back to pre-Christian days, the island state of Malta may be tiny, but it is surely not short on history. Between more than a few regime changes, this Mediterranean archipelago saw the establishment of port and trading services, and even a cultural renaissance of sorts. Due to its British allegiances during the Second World War, Malta was the victim of countless raids by the European Axis forces. It also earned recognition for its unwavering stand against such seemingly overwhelming odds. The Maltese gained independence in 1964, and officially became a republic a decade later.
Like many island states, Malta is endowed with few natural resources. However, prudent use of its human resource has resulted in presently thriving manufacturing and tertiary industries. Tourism now makes up about 30% of the Maltese GDP, while semi-conductors account for an estimated 75% of its total exports. Further, because of its multilingual population, Malta is becoming an increasingly popular destination for European contact center outsourcing. Its bid for membership in the Eurozone was also recently endorsed by both the European Commission, and the European Central Bank. So then it seems, that with a fledgling economy and EU backing, Malta could just be, in the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, "one tiny bright flame."
Learn more about Malta on globalEDGE Country Insights.
This month's poll question is:
"If Malta adopts the euro on January 1, 2008, which economic indicator will see the greatest impact?"
Please visit our homepage to vote on this month's poll question.
Malta Emerges as New Nearshore Contact Center Outsourcing Destination
Computer Business Review Online, by Peter Ryan (May 16, 2007)
http://www.cbronline.com/article_feature.asp?guid=83252020-2D41-4264-8B90-8B09F0F82665
Tiny Malta looks set to join the global outsourcing fray. With a population fluent in both English and Italian, the Mediterranean island nation is fast becoming the destination of choice for European call center outsourcing. However, limited by its small labor force and land-space, Malta also needs to make shrewd decisions over the projects it allows into this fledgling sector.
Cyprus and Malta get Euro Boost
BBC News (May 16, 2007)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6661589.stm
Cyprus and Malta look to be on the way to the Eurozone. Due to decent economic progress in the two nations, both had their bids endorsed by the European Commission and the European Central Bank. And, barring any drastic irregularities, they are set to formally adopt the euro on January 1, 2008, if approved.
Governments Using Filters to Censor Internet, Survey Finds
International Herald Tribune, by Doreen Carvajal (May 18, 2007)
http://iht.com/articles/2007/05/17/business/censor.php
The days of a deregulated Internet might be over as a new survey shows. A joint project between Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford and the University of Toronto revealed a startling increase in the number of governments that now censor online content. Twenty-six countries now engage in the practice, compared to a mere few just five years ago. It was noted that patterns of regulations tend to vary by country, with some filtering international news, and others focusing on content of a more social nature.
View more News on globalEDGE.
Freedom of Movement of Students and Teachers
The Times of Malta, by Joseph M. Sammut (May 18, 2007)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=261761
EU membership appears to have brought substantial benefits to the Maltese education system. Bolstered by the EU tenet of freedom of movement, Maltese students and teachers now find it easier to seek further education in other member nations. Reduced tuition and transportation fees now enable students to enroll in institutions that previous generations were unable to afford. In Malta itself, the education infrastructure was also spruced up with the help of EU funds. With such overt benefits despite a mere few years of EU membership, further advancements in the near future are almost a guarantee.
Boom Turns Irish Life Upside Down
BBC News, by Stephen Fottrell (May 21, 2007)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6638711.stm
The Celtic Tiger is on a rampage, but at what cost? In what used to be a nation of agricultural communities, a thriving mix of wealth and modernity now grace the historical streets of Ireland. Yet, the Irish economic metamorphosis has also meant a diminishing of rural societies and cultures. Additionally, the new race to riches is currently fueling increased isolation amongst a once warm populace. And, struck by this stark dichotomy between prosperity and a seeming decadence, many Irish now question the direction their country is moving towards.
Why Aren't Americans Using Less Gas?
Fortune, by Alex Taylor III (May 10, 2007)
http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/09/news/companies/pluggedin_taylor_gasprices.fortune/index.htm
One would think that soaring gas prices would make consumers feel the pinch. Apparently, not. While sales of compact cars and trucks in the United States have risen in recent times, they come at the expense of mid-sized vehicles, and not their larger, gas-guzzling counterparts. However, this might all be changing soon, as automakers continue to be pressured to boost R&D for smaller, more fuel-efficient automobiles.
View more In Depth Look articles on globalEDGE.
A sample of some of our recently added sites:
Malta: Malta Online
http://www.mol.net.mt/
Malta Online offers comprehensive coverage of everything from businesses to travel information. A detailed web directory provides information about many key services offered in Malta.
Country: Malta
Category: Reference: Travel/Living Abroad
Malta: Malta Business Weekly
http://www.maltabusinessweekly.com.mt/
The Malta Business Weekly offers news covering various aspects of the Maltese business environment, including opinions and editorials.
Country: Malta
Category: News & Periodicals: Regional News
Countryrisk.com
http://www.countryrisk.com/
This site contains a collection of links to a wide array of information about country background information, world rankings, data and statistics, research, and more.
Category: Research: Multi-Country
View more recently added sites on globalEDGE.
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