The National Statistics Office has reported that in 2009, 95 per cent of new resident business units operated in the services sector.

The Business Register is a useful tool in recording shifts of business organisations from one sector to another, reflecting the evolving economic scenario.

In 2009, the majority of business units - 81 per cent - were sole owners or partnerships. This proportion in 2001 had stood at about 76 per cent. Micro enterprises continue to form the backbone of Maltese industry, with over 97 per cent of businesses in 2009. This share is essentially in line with the share recorded in 2001.

While the proportion of manufacturing enterprises (NACE Divisions 15-36) contracted to 6 per cent in 2009, ‘other business activities’ (NACE 74) increased its share from 8.8 per cent in 2001 to 12.7 per cent eight years later.

In 2009, 1,413 business units operated in ‘computer and related activities’ against 458 in 2001 (NACE 72), while ‘recreational, cultural and sporting activities’ (NACE 92) comprised 3,753 units in 2009 compared to 2,442 units in 2001. Other sectors such as ‘construction’ (NACE 45) and ‘retail trade’ (NACE 52) registered considerably higher numbers of units.

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