Alfred Camilleri / publicservice.gov.mt

Paul Zahra has been appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Finance and Employment, effective immediately.

Mr Zahra is succeeding industry stalwart Alfred Camilleri, who held said position from 2006 and has now reached retirement age.

Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana thanked Mr Camilleri for his service.

Mr Zahra joined the Malta Public Service in 1984, serving at the Economic Division within the Office of the Prime Minister. Between 1989 and 1992, he was the Personal Assistant to the Economic Secretary and Chief Economics Officer at the Ministry of Finance.

A year after that, Mr Zahra was appointed Director (Economic Strategy) and, later on, Director General (Economic Policy) within the same Ministry.

Paul Zahra / publicservice.gov.mt

Since 2001 Mr Zahra has discharged duties as Permanent Secretary in a number of Government Ministries, including the Ministry for Economic Services, Ministry of Finance, Ministry for Fair Competition, Small Business and Consumers and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Mr Zahra was appointed Permanent Secretary for EU Funds at the Office of the Prime Minister in November 2020. In April 2022, he took on the same role within the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds, and Lands.

He held the latter position up until his latest appointment. Mr Zahra also sits on a number of Government boards and committees.

Related

Sarah Stellini joins BetanzaLab as Chief Marketing Officer

15 September 2026
by Nicole Zammit

The iGaming executive takes on the new role after three years at Neatplay, where she served as Chief Commercial Officer.

EC head Andrew Mangion says business explored ‘every realistic avenue’ to stay afloat

15 September 2026
by Tim Diacono

Andrew Mangion says it is with 'profound sadness' that EC has reached this point.

Leon Chetcuti appointed CEO of Alliance Malta 

15 September 2026
by Tim Diacono

Former CEO Michael Bonello is now the Group Chairman.

How can employers better support LGBTIQ+ employees in the workplace?

15 September 2026
by Nicole Zammit

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) speaks to MaltaCEOs.mt about inclusivity in the workplace.