Since entering the E.U. on May 1, 2004, Malta has dedicated significant resources to developing its financial services industry. As a member of the E.U., Malta offers investment managers a platform from which they can access the E.U. market – arguably in a more cost-effective manner than Luxembourg and Ireland. While European regulations grow exponentially, the Maltese government and the Malta Financial Services Authority have developed regimes to fit the various business models of investment managers. These range from lighter-regulated fund vehicles to Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities structures, as well as the recent introduction of the Notified Alternative Investment Fund – a structure designed to be managed by alternative investment fund managers. To help our subscribers better understand the options Malta offers private investment funds and their investment managers, the Hedge Fund Law Report recently interviewed Kenneth Farrugia, Chairman of FinanceMalta, a public-private initiative that promotes Malta as an international financial center. Farrugia’s guidance is particularly relevant to managers exploring E.U. jurisdictions for future fund launches, as well as managers seeking a platform to distribute into the E.U. For additional insight on the benefits of establishing a fund in Malta, see “European Alternative Funds: The Alternatives” (Jun. 24, 2009). For more on offshore funds, see “Offshore Fund Vehicles: Do U.S. Investment Managers Need Them?” (Feb. 4, 2010).