• EU member states since 2004.
• Skilled professionals.
• Attractive set-up and operational costs.
• Attractive and competitive tax system with over 65 double tax treaties based on the OECD model.
• Funds may be passported to any of the other twenty-seven EU member states.

• Efficient legislation which caters for the interests of both the fund business as well as the investors.
• Flexible & versatile legal framework.
• Set of frameworks available, including SICAVs, UCITS, Professional Investor Funds (PIFs) and Alter;native Investment Funds (AIFs).
• Rigorous yet flexible regulator.
• International Financial Reporting Standards used since 1997.

Professional Investor Fund (“PIF”)

Local legislation contemplates a Professional Investor
Fund (also known as a “PIF”) as a particular type of collective investment scheme (CIS) that can be used for setups commonly referred to as “hedge funds” or “alternative investment funds”. A PIF is essentially a non-retail CIS which can be either private or public in nature. PIFs are specifically designed to attract high net worth investors with limited regulation and oversight. The underlying assets in which PIFs can invest range from transferable securities, private equity, immovable property and infrastructure, to the more complex asset classes such
as derivatives.

PIFs typically enjoy the fast processing of licensing procedures, and the MFSA does not apply burdensome obligations to these types of CISs. The MFSA’s principal objective is to impose less onerous obligations regarding information and documentation, especially when service providers are appointed to carry out activities which require licensable activities.

Main advantages of PIFs in Malta

• The level of costs involved is relatively low and very competitive.
• No Investment or leverage restrictions.
• Malta’s single regulator and supervisor, the MFSA, is approachable and seeks to provide a timely and efficient service. PIFs are licensed by the MFSA but are not subject to detailed regulatory requirements by the regulating authority.
• PIFs can be self-managed without the need to appoint a third-party manager.
• A PIF can also appoint an external Investment Manager which is regulated in a country which is not a Recognised Jurisdiction. In this case, the MFSA would normally carry out an assessment on the regulatory requirements applicable to the Investment Manager.

UCITS usually invest in transferable securities such as:

1. Shares in companies and other securities equivalent to shares in companies.
2. Bonds and other forms of debt securities.
3. Any other negotiable securities which carry the right to acquire any such transferable securities by subscription or exchange.
4. UCITS may also invest in money market instruments, financial derivative instruments and other collective investment schemes.

Main advantages of UCITS

• Up-to-date regulatory framework
• Offers the best legal protection to investors
• Regulatory Compliance Oversight
• Structuring opportunities
• EU passporting rights
• Lower costs
• Economies of scale

About the Fund

The scheme’s head office and registered office are to be both established in the country of incorporation. There must be a minimum of two directors, at least one independent from the manager and the custodian. The investment manager is responsible for the administration of the scheme (when an administrator is not appointed). Where appointed, the administrator must be a recognized administrator. The custodian must be a licensed institution or such other body or association acceptable to the regulator MFSA, with a place of business in Malta.

The fund may either be self-managed or managed by a company approved by the regulatory body in the respective EU/EEA jurisdiction where it is incorporated. Must have satisfactory financial resources and liquidity at its disposal. Managers must demonstrate sufficient and relevant experience. All roles, responsibilities and experience must be described in the fund prospectus.