Malta’s foreign investments reach net €8 billion in 2020

The international investment position of Malta increased by a net of €0.7 billion in 2020, to reach €8 billion, according to a National Statistics Office (NSO) report on Tuesday.

Over the course of 2020, Malta acquired €7.9 billion more in foreign assets, while total foreign liabilities increased by €7.2 billion. 

As of the end of the year, the value of Malta’s total foreign assets abroad amounted to €258.7 billion. Portfolio investments represented 49.1 per cent, whereas direct investment accounted for 27.8 per cent. 

The increase in Malta’s foreign assets was driven mainly by a €6.6 billion increase in its portfolio investment and a €1.9 billion increase in “Other Investment”, according to the NSO.

At the end of the year, the country’s stock position of foreign liabilities stood at €250.7 billion. 

Direct investment amounted to €209.1 billion, which equates to 83.4 per cent of total foreign liabilities, up from the €200.5 billion recorded in December 2019.

The report on Malta’s International Investment Position counts the nation’s external assets and investments.

Malta’s positive net International Investment Position indicates it continues to be a creditor rather than a debtor.

For context, in Q3 2020 the US recorded nearly -$14 trillion in its Net Investment Position, making it the world’s largest debtor.