On 23rd November 2022, on the
occasion of its fifth anniversary, the Malta Development Bank’s new Offices in
Floriana were inaugurated by the Hon. Prime Minister Robert Abela, in the
presence of
the Minister for Finance and Employment, Mr Clyde Caruana.
The
building, which was painstakingly restored to its former glory, dates back to the late 18th
century. Renovations
within the building included extensive external works as well as internal
modifications and improvements. The
new premises are consonant to the growing demands of the Bank as its increases
its outreach in the Maltese economy, supporting it towards new avenues of
growth.
The
event was addressed by the Chairman of the Bank, Prof Josef Bonnici and the CEO,
Mr Paul V Azzopardi who shared their recollections of the first five years of
the MDB’s operations while highlighting the policy direction and the key
initiatives and financing programmes for the years ahead.
Prof
Bonnici expressed his gratitude and appreciation towards all those persons who
throughout the past five years worked to transform the idea of a development
bank into a reality and to elevate the MDB as the highly-reputable institution
it is today. Mr Azzopardi explained how in a relatively short period of five
years, the MDB reached over 700 businesses which employ some 40,000 persons,
and almost 400 students, providing guarantees exceeding €600 million.