Growing SMEs for a digital world

● The Malta Institute of Accountants 9th SME Forum

Digital innovation opens a new future to SMEs but entrepreneurs need to be prepared for the transformation. The 2018 SME Forum, organised by the Malta Institute of Accountants, assesses the economic climate in the digital age and explores the opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises. The SME Forum will be held on 25 May from 8:15am to 5pm, at the Intercontinental, St Julian’s.

The MIA’s SME Forum connects professional accountants, entrepreneurs, senior executives and directors, as well as regula- tors, stakeholders, and potential entrepreneurs. The annual appointment has established itself as one of the major events in Malta’s SME calendar.

Focusing on sustainability and growth prospects, the ninth edition will cover a range of issues including increasing competition, demographic change in Malta, and the challenges of en- gaging skilled labour. Simultaneously, the Forum will update attendees with the latest financing programmes and other opportunities from the Malta Development Bank and Business First.

Digitisation and the evergrowing importance of technologies such as Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain will be another central theme of the Forum. Specialist speakers will guide participants and answer questions on the impacts of these disruptive developments.

MIA presents a comprehensive programme led by distinguished guests to help SMEs face the next stage of growth with confidence. The list of expert speakers includes: Dr Aaron G. Grech (Central Bank of Malta), Joe Portelli (Malta Stock Exchange), Rene Saliba (Malta Development Bank); Dolores Sammut Bonnici (Malta Employers’ Association), Marika Tonna (Business First), David Cauchi (Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner), Borana Hima (Grant Thornton), Alan Alden (Kyte Consultants), Prof. Alexiei Dingli (University of Malta), Dr Sarah Rausi (Fenech & Fenech Advocates), and Noel Debono (Bank of Valletta plc).

The SME Forum programme is available online on the events page at miamalta.org. Registrations are open and can be made through the website.

For further information, contact the Malta Institute of Accountants on cpeevents@miamalta.org.