From those in the know: ‘Geopolitical tensions offer Malta chance to attract businesses seeking stable base’ – Stephanie Fabri

Malta’s growth forecast may be on tract, but business sentiment among CEOs and business leaders is divided for 2025. In the fifth part of this series, we zoom in on the views of Economist Stephanie Fabri.

Economist Stephanie Fabri has a cautiously optimistic outlook for Malta’s economy in 2025, emphasising both risks and opportunities. She predicts that inflation will play a significant role in Malta’s future economic climate. 

“While inflation has been moderating globally, Malta’s reliance on imported goods and energy leaves it exposed to imported inflation, which could weigh on consumer spending and increase operational costs for businesses,” she warns. Geopolitical tensions – particularly in Europe and the Middle East – compound the complexity, but also offer Malta the chance to attract businesses seeking a stable base. 

“Malta’s economy continues to benefit from strong financial services, iGaming and tourism sectors, all of which have demonstrated resilience through global challenges,” she notes, with FinTech and tourism driving growth. 

Emerging sectors such as digital health and green technology add to Malta’s prospects, she continues, as “both the Government and private sector invest to meet the rising demand for sustainable and health-focused solutions,” with businesses prioritising “strategic planning, investment in talent and proactive risk management” to navigate uncertainties. 

Stephanie underscores the importance of policy reforms to enhance Malta’s economic resilience and overcome significant structural challenges. “Energy diversification and renewable energy investments would reduce Malta’s vulnerability to global price fluctuations, improving economic stability. 

“Increasing STEM education and training would help address the skills gap, while housing policies aimed at affordability and infrastructure improvements in urban areas would also improve the quality of life, aiding workforce retention and attraction.”

This forms part of a feature first published on Malta CEOs 2025, the sister print brand to MaltaCEOs.mt, both owned by Content House