Malta’s Register of Insolvency Practitioners has doubled in size after 13 newly qualified professionals completed an accredited training programme run by the Malta Business Registry, bringing the island’s total to 26 registered practitioners.

The cohort finished a structured course covering liquidity procedures, Malta’s regulatory framework, the Insolvency Practitioners Act, directors’ obligations and preventive restructuring measures. Developed in partnership with the University of Malta, the programme reflects what the MBR describes as an ongoing collaboration in a field that continues to evolve.

MBR Chief Executive and Registrar Dr Geraldine Spiteri Lucas said the expanded register would strengthen the professional support available to businesses pursuing restructuring and in some cases help them avoid insolvency entirely. “The role of these professionals is to guide businesses through the steps required to restore financial stability and to get back on their feet,” she said.

The new practitioners were also directed to a recently published Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Insolvency Practitioners, which establishes uniform rules governing professional behaviour, duties to creditors and debtors and standards of transparency and service quality.

Economy Minister Silvio Schembri framed the milestone as part of a broader effort to support businesses at every stage, not just at formation. “Our work does not stop with the creation of new businesses. We must ensure that every business has the tools, professionals and support needed to recover, adapt and continue to grow,” he said.

Progress on clearing the backlog of existing cases was also highlighted. Dr Ingrid Hamilton, Official Receiver and Head of the Insolvency and Receivership Service, said the office concluded 11 court-ordered winding-up cases during 2025, with a further 16 already completed so far in 2026, many of which had been open for several years. Twenty-four new cases were assigned last year and 13 more companies have been referred in the current year.

The MBR also pointed to early adoption of its Self-Assessment Tool, launched in late 2024, as an encouraging indicator. Of 81 users who have completed the assessment, 51 recorded an insolvency risk exceeding 50 per cent, suggesting the tool is reaching businesses at a point where timely intervention is still possible.