Читать книгу Global Residence and Citizenship Handbook - Christian H. Kälin - Страница 10

Foreword

They say the world is getting smaller and more interconnected every day. Indeed, the effects of globalization continue to expand and touch all aspects of our modern lives. In the age of internet, jet travel, free-flowing movement of capital and multinational companies, we have become both more interdependent and more mobile than at any time in human history. This poses interesting new challenges for governments, as the concepts of immigration, citizenship and even statehood are changing.

Malta introduced its first tax residence scheme more than twenty years ago. Around that time, it was Henley & Partners which started to focus on residence and citizenship planning when most international lawyers and wealth planning professionals were not considering the subject to be of great importance. Today, the world looks very different, and countries find themselves competing not only for international talent but also for investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals and families.

Malta has risen to the challenge. Despite being a small country in the Mediterranean Sea, we are a globally networked nation with a vibrant multi-cultural population and a sizeable Diaspora sprinkled across the globe. Being an outward-looking nation, we have always relied on trade and talent to channel our prosperity.

Our rich culture, beautiful climate and advanced standard of living are certainly an advantage, but we need to engage professionals who understand the investor immigration world and who can help us make the case that Malta is a prime destination of choice. One firm which we have had the pleasure of working with is Henley & Partners. Internationally recognized as the firm of choice for residence and citizenship planning, we sought their advice for the reform of our residence schemes and the development of new programs designed to attract foreign investors to settle in our country. Their knowledge and expertise in this area are truly unrivalled and they have imparted to us some very valuable advice.

TONIO FENECH MP

Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment (2008-2013), Malta