The Malta Business Registry launched its new online platform which introduces new digital features aimed at better assisting companies and corporate service providers. Following months of preparations and constant testing, both internal as well as external, particularly with practitioners and stakeholders, the re-engineering of processes ensured a smooth transition from the previous system to the new portal. The system is based on blockchain technology and this proved beneficial to ensure transparency when sharing data and that there is a digital audit trail so that the portal’s integrity is maintained. Addressing the official launch, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri said the new online system seeks to bolster efficiency and promotes business automation in a way that aids practitioners in their work whilst meeting clients’ needs. He explained that this digital platform empowers the professionals who are in control of the client companies they represent to submit documents from Corporate Accounts, see if there are any pending penalties or to update the information in a shorter time such as a change of office address or directors. Adding to this is the use of a qualified digital signature according to a European directive that is being given so that professionals can continue to sign with the same force of normal ink and with the same responsibility. All this will pave the way for this entity to become paperless in a few years’ time. So much so that the impact of this new system is already being noticed in the digital process of incorporation of companies where if a client enters all the necessary information the company can be incorporated within 24 hours. Since November the system was open for submission of documents and until now 662 companies have been incorporated online and more than 80,000 documents.” The digital platform complements another initiative that is being led by the MBR and that will be crucial to strengthen the competitiveness of our country, the Central Data Repository Solution through which the entities will have shared information of documents requested to the investory. Regarding this, the process is well underway to issue the tender for this system in the coming months. “As you can see, the digital aspect is increasingly entering in our day-to-day operations. Accordingly, I can announce that work is underway by a committee also led by the MBR in order to carry out an exercise to analyse the legislation of the Companies Act and make amendments to reflect the times and needs of today, including adaptation to digitalisation,” said Minister Schembri. MBR CEO and Registrar Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas gave an in-depth walk through on the re-engineering of process, migration of data up to the very implementation of the new online system. “The re-engineering of processes was a crucial step that paved way to have a better understanding of how previous services can be improved in the best interests of MBR’s clientele. This brought with it an analysis of the legal aspect to reflect such change whilst putting into consideration GDPR constraints throughout. Having the stakeholders as part of this journey was crucial in order for practitioners to be participants in providing their feedback and be part of the testing throughout. The internal and external testing was followed by a delicate process that is the migration of data to which MBR’s employees played a crucial part in ensuring a smooth transition. Arriving to where we are today, that is the launch of the Business Automation Registry Online System (BAROS) which introduces several features that strongly consolidate MBR’s vision towards digitalization as well as in becoming a paperless entity, something to which instilling a change in culture throughout is key,” said Dr Spiteri Lucas.

The general public is kindly being informed that the Malta Business Registry offices will be closed on Tuesday 26th December, 2023. On the said day, the online services shall continue to be available as usual on the MBR's website: https://register.mbr.mt/

The Malta Business Registry’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas will once again serve as an Executive Member of the leading global network of business registries after being elected, in a highly contested election, last October. She will be entrusted with the Regional Seat representing Europe. Dr Spiteri Lucas is the Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Business Registry (MBR) and Registrar. She is responsible for the overall management and performance of the MBR, inclusive of its strategy development and implementation. She has played a pivotal role in bringing about key changes within the entity that were crucial in updating the registry in line with European and international standards. Being a lawyer by profession, she graduated as a Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2010 and few months later obtained her warrant to practice in the Maltese Courts. She read Masters in European and Comparative Law, graduating in 2012.She started her career with a leading local law firm, advising local and international clients on corporate, shipping and aviation law. Furthermore, she also represented various clients inlitigation procedures before Tribunals and local Courts. and is also a member of the board of examiners for the Department of Commercial Law of the University of Malta. The Corporate Registries Forum is the leading international association of business registries from more than 60 nations across the world. Members meet regularly to share ideas, benchmark their performance and practices along with gaining fast access to specialist experience. Last year the Corporate Registries Forum (CRF) launched an innovative 5-yearstrategy aimed at improving global standards. In reaction to this new role, Dr Spiteri Lucas expressed her gratitude towards all international registries who are members of the CRF that entrusted her with this new responsibility by stating that “It is a great honour for Malta to have a member forming part of the Executive Committee, of which the role brings about various responsibility in tackling a number of reforms in relation to transparency and the technological application within the registry fora. Hence, I look forward to nurturing closer collaborations on a European level for the benefit of all CRF members.” Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that it is indeed an honour to have a Maltese representative serve as an executive member of the CRF for the second time running, being entrusted with the regional seat that represents the whole of Europe. He said that this follows the CRF’s decision to have chosen Malta as its host for the annual general meeting which had showed the trust it has in the Maltese jurisdiction, given that it was only last year that Malta was accepted as a full member of this international forum.

Kindly note that next Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th November, the Malta Business Registry will be closed. The Document Deposit box will be available during the normal hours.

We would like to remind CSPs and the general public that the current online system will be deactivated on 31st October, 2023 at 1600hrs. After this time, activities such as filing company registrations, statutory forms, name reservations, penalty payments, and certificate orders will no longer be possible through the current system. However, CSPs and the general public can still submit documents in paper format or electronically signed to esigning@mbr.mt . Starting from 1st November, 2023, company searches, document downloads, and information about beneficial owners will only be accessible for purchase through credit card payments. Please ensure that any documents, filed on our current online system, requiring corrections are resubmitted on the current system by Monday, 30th October. Failure to do so will result in automatic rejection, requiring you to redo the form on the new online system.

The Malta Business Registry (MBR) is launching a new online platform. To ensure a smooth transition from the current system to the new one, the new platform is available as from today 31st August 2023 and will include a facility to register corporate accounts and an application for a qualified digital signature. In the Corporate Accounts feature, companies need to delegate an administrator who will create a corporate account and manage the company’s users that are linked to the latter top-up account. There is different user access which can be assigned to members of the group. Kindly note that users can have a personal top-up account and be linked to a corporate group account. Key benefit of the corporate group account is to utilise name reservations within the same group for new company incorporations. In the Qualified Digital Signature, users can apply for a qualified digital signature.  This can be used for the submission of documents through the online platform and is valid for 3 years and can be used for personal use. Corporate Service Providers (CSPs) and the general public are encouraged to set up their account on the new platform and utilise the above services by Sunday 15th October 2023 which can be accessed on register.mbr.mt . One must point out that the current online platform i.e. registry.mbr.mt will still be available. Moreover, the MBR is also encouraging CSPs and the general public to submit by Sunday 17th September 2023 any documents that were sent back for correction by MBR staff. The online filing of company registrations and statutory forms, as well as name reservations, payment of penalties and ordering of certificates will not be available as from Wednesday 1st November 2023 . CSPs and the general public will still be able to file documents in paper-format or by signing documents electronically and sending them to  esigning@mbr.mt .   Moreover, company search, document downloads and beneficial owners information will only be available for purchase by credit card as from Wednesday 1st November 2023. “This step reflects Malta Business Registry’s commitment to assist better businesses particularly in taking that leap forward in embracing further digitalisation in their operations. The new online platform will provide features aimed at easing processing for companies and corporate services providers. As a Government, we reiterate our commitment to enhance the ecosystem for our business community with an open mindset of adapting to the digital scenario”, said Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri. The Chief Executive Officer and Registrar Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas advises the general public and CSPs to follow MBR’s website, social media or subscribe to MBR’s newsletter for more updates regarding the new platform. “Our aim is to ensure a coherent transition. Saying so, we are committed to assist companies and CSPs and provide the necessary information and assistance as part of our commitment to move towards a paperless entity. We look forward to providing you with an upgraded system with a better seamless experience. I thank in advance every stakeholder representative which played a key role in spreading across our message and during the testing phase”, said Dr Spiteri Lucas.

The Malta Business Registry (MBR) has successfully concluded its preliminary market consultation, receiving an impressive total of eighteen proposals for the development of a Central Data Repository Solution. The three-week consultation, hosted on the government’s Electronic Tendering portal, aimed to assess public interest, and explore available technological solutions in the market. The primary objective of the Central Data Repository is to streamline the process of identifying applicants engaged in business activities in Malta, particularly during “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks. By promoting the “once-only” principle, standardisation, risk mitigation, and compliance, the repository will eliminate duplicative efforts, leading to significant time and cost efficiencies for both businesses and government agencies. Aligned with the government’s commitment to reduce bureaucracy and foster an enabling business environment, as outlined in the electoral manifesto and Budget measures, the initiative marks a significant step forward in making Malta an attractive destination for businesses. Following the successful consultation phase, proponents will now present their solutions to a steering committee appointed by the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds, and Lands, involving key government stakeholders. These presentations are scheduled to take place in the upcoming days, and the valuable knowledge and intelligence gathered will be used to shape a comprehensive tender document for the Data Repository’s implementation. Once operational, the Central Data Repository will facilitate seamless information sharing among government entities, enabling efficient due diligence checks on clients based on the nature of their business. Additionally, private entities such as banks, lawyers, and accountants will have authorised access to certified documentation, subject to the individual’s consent. Minister for the Economy, European Funds, and Lands, Silvio Schembri, expressed his satisfaction with the strong interest demonstrated by both local and international companies in this initiative. “This project is a significant stride towards reducing bureaucracy and optimising resource utilisation in businesses. By automating manual processes, we can unleash the true potential of our workforce and further enhance Malta’s economic landscape, positioning it for sustained growth and success in the years to come. This is what making a future-proof Malta is all about”, Minister Schembri emphasised. Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas, MBR’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, also expressed great enthusiasm for the 18 proposals received during the consultation process. “The Malta Business Registry remains firmly dedicated to establishing this repository, with the ultimate goal of streamlining bureaucratic procedures and fostering a more business-friendly environment. The insightful proposals received have shed light on a wide array of digital solutions available in the market, paving the way for enhanced services to benefit both the business community and clients. This valuable input will guide us towards even more effective and user-friendly practices in the future”, she stated.

The Malta Business Registry (MBR), identified as the leading entity for this initiative, is inviting interested parties to participate in a preliminary market consultation for the development of a Central Data Repository solution. This consultation will gather proposals and assess interest from the public to define the technical specifications for a future tender for the implementation of a data repository. The aim of the repository is to facilitate the process of identification of applicants when such applicants are doing business in Malta. Proposals must, amongst others, encompass advanced technological features bearing in mind that the end users are government entities, subject persons, and the public. This should be complemented with advanced security features. Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that the development of this data repository is in line with the government’s work programme outlined in the Electoral Manifesto and the 2023 Budget to facilitate business procedures in Malta, lessening bureaucratic processes. “The repository facilitates data integration and promotes collaboration across different departments and systems, thus eliminating data silos by consolidating scattered data sources into a single, securer. This is the new era of data management and governance,” added Minister Schembri. Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas, CEO of the MBR, said that through the preliminary market consultation, the MBR shall have clearer visibility of available technologies which would eventually lead to the actual implementation of the repository. Hence the consultation aims to explore interest and shed light on innovative proposals for the establishment of a centralised repository for the compilation of data purposes which would include authenticated documents issued by government entities. Ultimately, the repository will facilitate the process of identification of applicants when government authorities and subject persons are carrying out their know-your-client processes. “This compliments MBR’s vision to be of constant support for Company Service Providers, practitioners and the business community,” explained Dr Spiteri Lucas. Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals in writing by the 28th of July 2023 through the ePPS system. Interested parties will be able to access the Preliminary Market Consultation document by searching for it directly on the eTenders website i.e. etenders.gov.mt .

Please be advised that the MBR staff will be unavailable on Friday, 19th May 2023 due to internal staff training. The online services shall continue to be available as usual on the MBR’s website: registry.mbr.mt

The Insolvency and Receivership Service within the Malta Business Registry (the “MBR”) would like to bring to the attention of practitioners and the general public that, in terms of Article 10 of the Insolvency Practitioners Act (Act XXV of 2022) (the “Act”), it shall establish and maintain a public register to be known as the Register of Insolvency Practitioners that shall separately identify the following: the insolvency practitioners; the registered firms; any categorisation of the functions of each insolvency practitioner and the extent of the authorisation of each insolvency practitioner and registered firm; the insolvency practitioners whose authorisation has been suspended, revoked or withdrawn in full or in part by reference to any category of authorisation; the registered firms whose registration has been suspended, revoked or withdrawn in full or in part by reference to any category of authorisation; and the insolvency practitioners or registered firms who are deemed by the Insolvency and Receivership Service to be in default of their obligations in terms of this Act or of any regulations or directives made under it. The details to be kept in this register shall include the following: the name and surname in the case of an insolvency practitioner or the name and designation of the type of legal entity of the registered firm; the office address and the electronic mail address of each insolvency practitioner and registered firm; in the case of a registered firm, a list of the insolvency practitioners and the information of the insolvency practitioners employed or otherwise connected with the registered firm; the date of birth and the identity card number or the passport number of the insolvency practitioners and in the case of the registered firms the registration number of the registered firm and the information in relation to any insolvency practitioner employed or otherwise connected with the registered firm; the warrant or licence number of the insolvency practitioners. Furthermore, Article 29 of the Act includes a transitory provision which introduces an interim measure for the provisional authorisation of the aforementioned persons. Following the coming into effect of the Act, the Insolvency and Receivership Service within the MBR would like to bring to the attention of the general public the requirement for Insolvency Practitioners to obtain a provisional authorisation to act in the field of dissolution and insolvency in terms of Article 4 of the Act. In terms of Article 29 of the Act, any person who, on the date of the coming into force of this Act: is authorised to exercise the profession of an advocate, accountant or auditor; and has been appointed as a provisional administrator, liquidator, or a special controller within the meaning of the Companies Act; or has otherwise served as an expert or practiced as a lawyer within the Civil Court (Commercial Section), or the Civil Court, First Hall in commercial law or shipping law related cases within the preceding five (5) years from the coming into force of this Act; or otherwise proves to the satisfaction of the Insolvency and Receivership Service, of having adequate experience in pre-insolvency, corporate restructuring, business finance, or liquidation, is invited to file an application with the MBR using the form below of this notice, for the issuance of such provisional authorisation to carry out the said functions in terms of the Act. Applications, duly signed in original, can either be delivered to the MBR to the attention of the Insolvency and Receivership Service or submitted by email on ip.irs@mbr.mt using qualified signature that is in conformity with the requirements set out by Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC (“eIDAS”). Download Insolvency Practitioners Application Form