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12 BUSINESS & FINANCE STK Europe Limited has recently re- located to Malta and has chosen to set up its offices at SmartCity Malta. STK operates in the mobile telephony and electronics sector, with several years' worth of experience and knowledge. The company aims to be a leading Eu- ropean distributor of mobile phones, televisions, digital cameras, among others. In the near future, STK aims to recruit around 30 employees. Furthermore, the company has just launched a new project – Console Planet – a commercial website where avid gamers can purchase a wide range of items, including the latest video games released, the best consoles and accessories. The aim of this project, which is accessible at www. consoleplanet.it, is to further elevate STK's status in the market of consoles and video games, while offering customers an excellent user experience and service, together with a trustworthy service. Speaking about the reasons why STK Europe Limited decided to relocate to Malta, an STK representative said: "The choice of Malta is part of the internationalisation process of the STK group which has outgrown the Italian market and is now opening up to the UK, France and Spain. Malta presents an ideal geographical location, a stable economy, tax efficiency and a pleasant climate for our international staff completeness. Moreover, this is the location of our internationalisation advisors, Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates, who have been instrumental in the financial and operational set-up of our headquarters in Malta and in the international structuring of our business." "The reasons why we decided to set up offices at SmartCity Malta are multifarious, and include the high quality offered by the SCM development and the availability of customisable and scalable office space that accommodates our growth plans. In addition, SCM's international positioning mirrors our group's internationalisation ambitions. The culture of getting things done promised by the Maltese authorities also extends into SCM, which is an added advantage." The Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis said that the govern- ment is committed to listen to the business community, to help it pros- per and generate employment. "We are committed to simplifying regula- tion, helping you overcome bureau- cratic difficulties, and assisting you in tapping into new markets." "This government has a pro- business vision, a vision that is based on simplicity, modernisation of government services and a commitment to attract more business to our shores," Zammit Lewis said. Provisional estimates for the Gross Domestic Product for last year show an increase in nominal terms of 4.4% over figures for 2012, which in real terms equates to an increase of 2.4% explained the Parliamentary Secretary while thanking the investors and business men for the investments made and the employment generated. Addressing the Malta Business Network meeting, Zammit Lewis insisted that it is with trust, energy and commitment that the government will continue to prosper. "We need, and we are working towards having, accessible and forward-looking regulators that have a pragmatic and pro-business approach towards regulation," Zammit Lewis added. The Parliamentary Secretary said that the government is looking to stimulate business, growth and entrepreneurship. "It is our intention to cut unnecessary bureaucracy by implementing better regulation principles and making better use of available information. We have created a role specifically for the simplification of government processes." "Businesses today are international, and I am pleased to see so many Maltese businesses successfully venturing out into the world. We are working on launching a number of initiatives that will help Malta- based companies expand their trade internationally and promote our country. We are aware of the need to develop new markets and also the difficulties encountered. We want to assist companies to tap non- traditional markets such as India, China, Singapore and Turkey. In these markets economic growth is moving at a fast pace. Businesses need to keep up with the demands of these markets and the government will do its utmost to facilitate expansion," Zammit Lewis said. During the past few months Malta has been welcoming new business and investment to its shores. The record number of foreign direct investment projects approved in 2013 amounts to three times the total of the previous three years together. These projects are expected to create more than 2,600 jobs. Fifty of the approved projects are new while a further 31 approvals involve expansion. Driven by the strong foundations laid down, and by the encouraging results achieved in the ICT sector so far, Malta's vision for 2014 – 2020 – the National Digital Strategy – will revolve around building a Digital Economy which is robust, modern, amongst the best globally, and which will foster sustainable economic growth, wealth and well-being for all. "So, the government's agenda – this enterprise agenda – is a truly business-based agenda. It is about making sure everyone in our country has the chance to play a part, to participate and fulfil their aspirations. You, business owners are 'essential partners' for our efforts to generate economic prosperity and it is our job to make sure that you benefit from an infrastructure that truly supports business," Zammit Lewis added. maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2014 'Government has a pro-business vision' – Edward Zammit Lewis PHOTOGRAPHY BY PIERRE SAMMUT/DOI Edward Zammit Lewis (right): "We need, and we are working towards having, accessible and forward- looking regulators that have a pragmatic and pro- business approach towards regulation" STK Europe Limited to recruit further employees at SmartCity Malta YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt

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