Charting Malta’s Next 20 Years through 5 key lenses

EY’s Future Realised 2024 is not just a business forum; it is a high-level platform where Malta’s most influential voices – including the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, key ministers, shadow ministers, the Chamber of Commerce and leading business figures – will come together to debate and shape Malta’s future. 

This event, set for October 23rd at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, aims to provide a structured environment for discussing Malta’s trajectory over the next 20 years.

On the day, EY will release the findings of its 20th Malta Attractiveness Survey, providing critical insights into how Malta is perceived as a business destination by foreign investors. This research offers a comprehensive overview of Malta’s strengths and opportunities, setting the stage for strategic discussions on how to strengthen the country’s competitiveness and its place in the global economy.

A major highlight will be the keynote address by Pascal Finette, an innovation expert who has worked in senior leadership positions with some of the leading technology industry giants, helping them navigate and shape periods of major global change. Pascal brings a wealth of experience and vision, which is timely as in this age of geo political turmoil and rapid technological changes.

Pascal will challenge the audience to think beyond the immediate horizon. “What do current shifts mean5, 10 and even 20 years from now? What kind of country will Malta become, and what role will it play?” His keynote will focus on the strategic choices the country and businesses operating here should make today to shape its future, emphasising that the country’s size and agility offer unique advantages if capitalised on correctly. The key question will be whether one drives change or merely reacts to it.

Following this, the conference will break down into five key themes that are critical enablers of Malta’s future success:

• Build: The Build theme will focus on identifying the most urgent gaps in physical and social infrastructure, and ways to finance it, ensuring infrastructure doesn’t just catch up but stays ahead.
• Share: With the scale of infrastructure investment required, avoiding duplication and redundancy is crucial. The Share theme will explore how shared infrastructure models could offer strategic solutions to reduce costs and streamline investments to create a more efficient and interconnected economy.
• Engage: As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries worldwide, Malta has a unique opportunity to position itself at the forefront of this revolution. The Engage theme will explore how AI can be a powerful enabler for innovation, driving efficiency across all sectors. Discussions will focus on how Malta can accelerate AI adoption and harness its potential to do more with less, fundamentally reshaping both business and society. An EY study on local AI adoption, undertaken with the MDIA will be previewed on the day.
• Generate: As the country grapples with questions of infrastructure, urban planning, and economic transformation, the voices of Gen-Z and Millennials are more critical than ever. The Generate theme will focus on how to create the right skills base on the island, zooming in on both education and the workforce.
• Change: Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world, and Malta is no exception. The Change theme will explore how Malta can take coordinated action today to prepare for various climate scenarios. A futurist AI-installation first taken to COP28 will be onsite  to help delegates visualise four different futures, and the impact of the choices made today.

The event will kick-off with a presentation of EY’s 20th Malta Attractiveness Survey, a key barometer of how foreign investors perceive Malta and what needs to be done to maintain its attractiveness as a business destination.

This year also marks a number of two-decade anniversaries linked to FDI: 20 years of EU membership, 20 years of Malta Enterprise and 20 years of iGaming on the island. The event will have contributions from the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Malta Enterprise, and key business leaders and policy makers from various sectors to reflect on the outlook looking forward.

For those involved in shaping Malta’s future, this is a must-attend event – an opportunity to engage with the country's most pressing issues and contribute to the dialogue that will define Malta’s path forward.

Be part of the conversation and help shape the strategic decisions that will determine Malta's next 20 years. Register today for EY Future Realised 2024 and join the leaders who are driving the future of Malta.

Authors: Theo Dix, EY-Parthenon Strategy Consulting Leader (Malta); Simon Barberi, EY Attractiveness Survey and EU Consulting Leader, EY Malta