The Malta Business Bureau in conjunction with the University of Malta have been awarded the National Enterprise Support Award 2016 for their joint set up of ZAAR – Malta’s first Crowdfunding Platform which is run by PEI Ltd and forms part of the European Crowdfunding Network.

The National Enterprise Support Awards aim at rewarding those entities which support entrepreneurship and the promotion of enterprise growth.

MBB CEO, Joe Tanti was invited to attend the ceremony, held at the Mediterranean Conference in Valletta on Thursday 16th June, following the organisation’s initial shortlisting for the award.

“This award gives ZAAR additional exposure and acknowledgement, as well as further credibility. As a result of this exposure, we will be able to make people more aware of the service we offer with regard to alternative finance,” said PEI Ltd chairman George Vella.

ZAAR manager Matthew Caruana said that the platform’s growth had “opened the doors for public-private initiatives” in Malta.

The National Enterprise Support Awards are organised by the commerce department together with the enterprise policy and schemes directorate within the Economy Ministry.

As a result of this success, ZAAR will be competing for the European Enterprise Award in Slovakia, later this year.