Malta Emerges as a Key Offshore IT Development Centre

Malta has emerged as a highly attractive offshore IT development centre, offering high-quality software and computer services to companies in North America, Europe, and the Far East. Despite a population of less than 400,000, Malta has approximately 3,000 software professionals, many with expertise in mainframe legacy programming skills and growing skills in client/server computing, networking, and programming languages such as Visual Basic, C++, and Java. The country's business culture and English-speaking workforce, combined with its geographical and cultural proximity to continental Europe, make it an ideal location for companies seeking to outsource their IT operations.

Key Takeaways:

Malta has about 3,000 software professionals, with expertise in mainframe legacy programming skills such as Cobalt, CICS, and DB2, as well as growing skills in client/server computing, networking, and programming languages such as Visual Basic, C++, and Java.
The country's business culture and English-speaking workforce make it an attractive location for companies seeking to outsource their IT operations, with many clients finding it easier to work with Malta-based contractors compared to those in India or the Philippines.
Companies such as Safeway, Magus International, and Terranet, have successfully outsourced their IT operations to Malta, with Magus employing over 100 people in Malta and Terranet aiming to become the island's leading supplier of internet-based e-commerce solutions and online interactive multimedia services.
STMicroelectronics, a French company, is the flagship of Malta's IT industry, employing 2,000 people, including 350 engineers, and accounting for 56.5% of Malta's total exports.
Malta's IT industry is expected to grow, with companies such as Magus and Terranet looking to expand their operations and provide services such as integrating existing back office systems with front office activities, including web-based e-commerce.
The Maltese government has a supportive attitude towards the IT industry, with the Maltese Development Corporation backing the growth of IT companies in the country.

Statistics:

Malta has approximately 3,000 software professionals (text: "has about 3,000 software professionals")
STMicroelectronics employs 2,000 people in Malta (text: "employs 2,000 people, including 350 engineers")
STMicroelectronics accounts for 56.5% of Malta's total exports (text: "56.5 per cent of Malta's total exports")
Magus International employs over 100 people in Malta (text: "now employ over 100 people in Malta")
Malta has a population of less than 400,000 (text: "has a population of less than 400,000")

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