Honourable Minister Edward Scicluna
Mr Joseph Portelli, Chairperson
Members of the Board
Distinguished guests
Good evening.
I would like to thank you, Mr Portelli, and the Members of your Board, for your invitation to open the art exhibition on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Malta Stock Exchange.
I would like to applaud the artists who contributed their works of art to this exhibition. I look forward to viewing the artworks in a few minutes, and no doubt, enjoy their beauty, while appreciating the artistic skills of the artists.
Firstly, I must commend you all for your commitment and your unwavering hard work, and the vision of the founders in establishing the Malta Stock Exchange twenty five years ago. Definitely the Malta Stock Exchange is a success story.
Everyone is aware that ever since the Malta Stock Exchange commenced its trading operations on the 8thJanuary 1992, it has grown from strength to strength. I have no doubt that your ambition to maintain, and indeed, to consolidate, the success achieved so far, will drive you in the years to come towards strengthening the future prosperity for our country and its people.
I must note with satisfaction that the positive indications of the Index Performance of the Malta Stock Exchange, shows that the Maltese economy is one of the best performers in Europe. Consumer confidence is also quite strong, and along with other positive economic fundamental requisites, offers a bright future for the Maltese Equity Market.
With such a positive outlook, I am pleased to learn that it is the aim of the Malta Stock Exchange to continue to expand beyond our shores.
It is also worth noting that, while continuing to develop and focus on the domestic market, the Malta Stock Exchange is striving to attract international business from China, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Eastern Europe and the Middle East to take advantage of Malta’s cost effective and advantageous listing solutions.
I must commend your strategic move to introduce the MSE Sharia Compliant Index, which helps to place the Exchange in a position to explore opportunities within Islamic Finance.
I augur that The Malta Stock Exchange continues in this positive trend for the future.
On another note, while I commend the Malta Stock Exchange for having a significant number of female employees, that is, 38 females when compared to 20 male employees, I would like to note that there should be more women in management within the Exchange. Malta needs to give prominence to the vitalrole women should play in managerial capacities.
I augur that the Exchange will continue to enjoy growth, confidence, and stability, in an environment where the capital market is playing an ever increasing and critical role in ensuring economic growth in Malta and beyond. This will ensure that your aphorism ‘Gateway to Europe’, so boldly displayed on your website, will serve its true meaning.
I will end on a note about the seat of the Malta Stock Exchange. The Garrison Chapel, built in 1855, has undergone vast restoration works resulting in a beautiful and stunning building, especially against the Valletta bastion walls.
I was again surprised today to see even further changes to the inside of the Garrison Chapel. I would like to congratulate whoever designed these changes, and I am sure you all feel proud to be working within such a beautiful and historical building.
Today, the Garrison Chapel stands as an iconic landmark adorning our capital city for us all to enjoy and cherish.
Once again, on this 25th anniversary, I augur the members of the Board of Directors and all members of staff, every success, peace and wellbeing, to you and your families and to a successful trading future.
Thank you.