Design activity in Malta : a macro-economic analysis

Abstract

The present economic analysis focuses on design and innovation. It compares Malta to leading design innovators in the EU, namely Germany, Italy, Sweden and Finland. Findings include positioning of Malta in relation to these focus countries, overall, by firm size and by sector. Furthermore, manufacturing fares timidly in design innovation both internally in relation to other sectors, and also when compared to other EU Member States. Within services, IT and consultancy are relatively high design innovation spenders, whereas financial services come in at the lower end. The analysis also evaluates the multiplier effects of design services and the inter-industry linkages involved in design activity.