Ben Funk, a partner at Liongate Capital Management, a hedge fund company which manages over $2.5 billion, was in Malta on Monday for the official opening of the company’s local office. Liongate has been in Malta for the past 18 months and Dr Funk is full of praise for what the country has to offer in the financial services sector.  Besides being a low tax jurisdiction, he says, there are many advantages of setting up an office in Malta. “One is the very high quality of the regulation at the MFSA. We were able to meet individually and specifically with MFSA chairman Joseph Bannister before deciding which way we wanted to go, and I think he really made us feel comfortable.

Having English as the business language makes a huge difference. The short distance to London is helpful, the time change is also helpful, and Malta European Union membership gives it an advantage over other jurisdictions.”  Liongate’s work in Malta revolves mainly around finance and research Dr Funk says he is fortunate to find very competent local employees most of whom areUniversity of Malta graduates.  ”I think the University of Malta is very good[...]