Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513566
10 NEWS 21.12.2023 FOR a second year in a row Master- card will be hosting the Mastercard Fintech Forum in Athens and is invit- ing all fintechs in the SEE region to compete, in order to win a place in the European competition in June 2024 in Berlin, which gives the ticket to Start- Path, Mastercard's global startup ac- celerator. Applications are now open, and fin- techs can submit their participation on the platform, until January 20th, 2024. Mastercard Fintech Forum will take place in Athens in February 2024 and is an initiative that focuses on sup- porting startups, bringing together financial industry executives, fin- techs, investors and venture capital firms, aiming at sparking discussions on emerging trends in the ecosystem and fruitful future partnerships. Dur- ing the event, participating startups will have the opportunity to present their business plan, focusing on their innovative idea, while at the same time network with Investors, Venture Capitals and entrepreneurs from the Banking industry. The two companies that will be se- lected by the jury and audience will win a ticket for the main event in Berlin, which will bring together the winners of the individual regional events, competing for a place in the final selection phase of Mastercard's StartPath. It's important to note, that Israel's Kipp, which emerged as the winner of last year's competition in Athens, won first place in the final phase of the competition in Berlin in 2023. In addition to the competition, Mas- tercard Fintech Forum will feature startup founders, high-raking interna- tional Mastercard executives, inves- tors, entrepreneurs and leaders of the innovation space, Venture Capitals and technology companies, as well as banking representatives from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Israel. This is a networking opportu- nity that helps fintechs gain access to strategic partnerships, co-innovation opportunities and participation in Mastercard's global network. Panagiotis Polydoros, Mastercard's Country Manager for Greece, Cyprus and Malta noted: "At Mastercard we want to highlight innovation in every aspect of our operations. The fintech startup ecosystem in Southeast Eu- rope has blossomed and we feel great joy and satisfaction that we stand as enablers in the development of start- ups, offering them substantial op- portunities for development. I want to encourage every startup to partic- ipate in the Athens Fintech Forum, share their vision and contribute to the emergence of innovative ideas and technologies that will shape the future of the fintech industry". The registration to the pitch com- petition is open to all fintechs from Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Israel, while access to the event will be by invitation only. Mastercard Fintech Forum is back: applications now open for the 2024 competition IN 2022, the GVA at basic prices in the regions of Malta, and Gozo and Comi- no was estimated at €15,454.5 million and €658.9 million respectively; reflect- ing corresponding increases of 15.3 and 14.8 per cent over 2021. Malta region All industries registered increases in GVA during 2022. e industries of Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, Transportation and storage, and Accommodation and food service activities (G, H and I) registered the largest growth of 43.1 per cent over 2021 and accounted for the largest share of the GVA at 18.8 per cent. e industries comprising Pro- fessional, scientific and technical activities, and Administrative and support service activities (M and N) contributed to the second larg- est share of the GVA (16.4 per cent). ese industries registered a growth in GVA of 15.0 per cent when com- pared to 2021. Gozo and Comino region In 2022, the majority of industries registered increases in GVA when compared to the previous year, with the exception of the industries of Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) and Financial and insurance activi- ties (K). e industries of Public adminis- tration and defence; compulsory so- cial security, Education, and Human health and social work activities (O, P and Q) accounted for the highest share of the GVA at 24.5 per cent and have registered an increase of 6.1 per cent over 2021. e industries comprising Whole- sale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, Trans- portation and storage, and Accom- modation and food service activi- ties (G, H and I) accounted for the second highest share of the GVA at 21.2 per cent and have registered a growth of 38.1 per cent over 2021. Regional Gross Domestic Product In 2022, GDP at market prices in the regions of Malta, and Gozo and Comino was estimated at €16,717.4 million and €712.7 million respec- tively, corresponding to 95.8 and 4.1 per cent of national GDP at market prices. Employment In 2022, all industries in the Malta region registered increases in em- ployment when compared to the previous year. e largest percentage increases resulted in the economic activities relating to Professional, scientific and technical activities, and Ad- ministrative and support service activities (M and N), and Construc- tion (F), which registered growths of 14.2 and 11.8 per cent respec- tively. Almost all industries in the Gozo and Comino region registered in- creases in employment during 2022, with the exception of a drop in the industry of Financial and insurance activites (K). e industry related to Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) retained the same employment figure as 2021. e largest increase was registered in the economic activity related to Construction (F) with a growth rate of 12.7 per cent over 2021. Gozo and Comino region contribution to GDP amounted to 4.1 per cent or €712.7 million in 2022 Regional contribution to GVA (B.1g) by industry A*10/11 and region (NUTS 3)