Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543384
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 FEBRUARY 2026 COMMERCIAL GLOBAL commodities traders, Alkagesta, announced on 19 February 2026, a deal to secure access to the NATO Central Eu- ropean Pipeline System. The deal will see the company supply jet fuel to Europe's largest airports, including Brussels and Frank- furt-am-Main, amongst others. The pipeline, NATO's largest petroleum network spanning 5,300km across Northwest Eu- rope, rapidly provides fuel to military vehicles and aircraft across the defensive alliance. It was founded in the late 1950s, in- itially to support the quick move- ment of petroleum across NATO member states in the event of war. Commercial access is granted to select companies as a means of efficiently distributing fuel to Europe's leading aviation hubs. Today this commercial access represents approximately 90% of the pipeline's activity. Given its strategic importance, compa- nies must go through a rigorous approval process, including en- hanced due diligence, to become an approved user. Furthermore, this added capac- ity will help airlines gain access to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The EU had set a target of 2% SAF use by 2025. Today's deal will im- prove SAF access for European airlines, who face significant fines for failing to meet standards, as all the fuel Alkagesta supplies to airlines will be 2% SAF. This deal represents a signif- icant development for Alkag- esta, highlighting its consistent growth in the commodities and logistics market less than a dec- ade after its founding. This news marks the first time the company has expanded into inland logis- tics for jet fuel distribution. Speaking on the announcement, Alkagesta CEO Orkhan Rustam- ov said, "I am delighted that Alk- agesta has been able to secure ac- cess to such a key part of Europe's fuel distribution network. With this announcement, we will now be able to provide high quality, sustainable fuel to dozens of air- lines across Northwest Europe. This marks a significant chapter in the company's ability to deliver crucial strategic supplies across the continent." The news comes following Po- land's announcement of a €5.5bn deal to connect to the pipeline at the end of last year. Enhancing the network's capabilities and reach has taken on increased ur- gency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Alkagesta strikes deal to supply fuel to Europe's largest airports FPEI's Future Founders Plus events address the key business questions of Malta's entrepreneurs MALTA'S founders, aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders recently gathered at the latest Future Founders Plus event to discuss what it really takes to start and grow a busi- ness in Malta in 2026. Titled Entrepreneurship in Malta: Challenges, Choices, Opportunities and held on 29 January at DiHubMT, the session brought together ex- perienced voices from Malta's business ecosystem to explore the key challenges entrepre- neurs face today, the critical choices that shape success and the opportunities available for those ready to scale. Moderat- ed by Mario Xuereb, CEO of the Malta Business Bureau and FPEI Chair, the panel featured Tonio Zarb of KPMG Malta, Director of Business Innova- tion at Melita, Kenneth Spiteri, and Fran Moisa, Founder and talent advisor at FM Search. With around 35 attendees, the event offered useful takeaways on how to navigate today's re- alities and prepare for what's next in the entrepreneurial business world. Beyond exter- nal pressures such as inflation or bureaucracy, the speakers addressed cultural attitudes to failure, the realities of access to finance, the discipline re- quired for sound governance and the leadership behaviours that shape company culture. The event's lively discussion also covered other key topics such as presenting to angel investors, whether startups should prioritise both local and international markets from day one, the value of networking, the importance of an adaptable strategy and the rise of AI in business. "There is a clear appetite for open discussion and real-world perspectives on what it takes to build a resilient business in Malta," says Giselle Borg Olivier, Foundation Manager at FPEI. "We believe growth depends as much on mind- set and structure as it does on funding or market conditions. Entrepreneurs want practical insights they can apply imme- diately. Future Founders Plus events aim to equip them with the clarity and confidence to make better decisions for their business." Future Founders Plus is an initiative by the Foundation for the Promotion of Entre- preneurial Initiatives (FPEI), which brings together those who share an entrepreneurial mindset as a thriving, support- ive, skill-building community. Sponsored by Creditinfo Mal- ta, Future Founders Plus events create space for honest, experi- ence-led conversations within Malta's business ecosystem. The next in-person Future Founders Plus event, Navigat- ing Malta's Tax and Legal Re- quirements for Startups, will take place on Wednesday 25 February. The insightful ses- sion will feature a Q&A-style panel with legal expert Mat- thew Galea Debono and tax specialist Shawn Galea, offer- ing founders practical guidance on compliance, structuring and regulatory considerations. Concluding with networking drinks, the evening also offers a valuable opportunity to con- nect with fellow entrepreneurs and key players across Malta's business landscape. FPEI's next in-person Future Founders Plus event, Navi- gating Malta's Tax and Legal Requirements for Startups, will take place on Wednesday 25 February from 6pm–9pm at Rocksalt, Msida. This event is free to Future Founders Plus members and open to non-members at a fee. Regis- ter early to secure one of the limited places at docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoD- RIxdwfci6KnZbNjn0uSZBKsL- J r E d V c 2 H W E K z D v n x D n P h g / viewform. Find out more about FPEI Future Founders Plus membership and events at fpei.mt/fpei-future-found- ers-plus/.