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About Us
John A. Gauci - Maistre K.M. - CEO
John A. Gauci Maistre K.M. is the founder and C.E.O of the GM Group (formerly Economicard Group of Companies) which embraces GM Corporate and Fiduciary Services Limited and its affiliates, GM International Services Limited and GM International Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd.
He has been defined as the man who put Malta on the map of flag states since he singlehandedly pioneered ship and yacht registration under the Malta Flag in the 1970s. Long attracting top-tier maritime firms together with blue chip owning companies and operators to Malta, to date GM International Services Limited has registered over 50 million tons and formed just under 2,000 companies. Almost 50 years on, he continues to contribute to sustaining the Malta Flag Registry as the undisputed leader in the EU as well as its 6th global ranking.
Owing to the worldwide stellar reputation he enjoys in the maritime industry, John Gauci Maistre was accredited by the Panamanian Government as its consul in Malta in 1994 - a post he has held ever since. Furthermore, in 1995 he co-founded the Honorary Consular Corps and served as Dean from 1995 to 2011.
It is also through his foresight to offer international clients a holistic service provider that GMC was founded in 2009, a company specifically involved in the area of international financial services focused on the design and administration of tax efficient structures, fund management and other related services. This expansion also led to a notable number of financial institutions investing in Malta.
His experience in accountancy and legal work has enabled him to sit on various government sponsored maritime committees, advisory boards and councils, including the Association of Malta Shipowners (1990-1992); The Malta Chamber of Commerce (1993-1998, 2004-2008); the Federation Union des Consuls Hororairs en Europe [F.U.C.H.E.] (1996-2011) and the Camera di Commercio Italo-Maltese (2004-2008); and the Malta International Trade Fair Council.
Guided by his strong belief to offer something to the greater community, John Gauci Maistre currently serves as President of the philanthropic organization, National Council of the Society of St Vincent de Paul and is an active member of the Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Oder of Malta (S.M.O.M.) holding the rank of Knight of Magistral Grace.
Dr Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre B.A., MICS, Dip. Tax, MSc (WMU), LL.D. - Director / Advocate / MLRO
Dr Jean-Pie Gauci-Maistre is the Director of GM International Services Limited, a lawyer by profession, who specialises in Maritime Law, including Ship & Yacht Registration, Ship & Yacht Finance as well as Corporate and Tax Law. With the amendments of Maltese Aviation Law in recent years, he has also focused on the firm’s aviation practice.
With the substantial growth of his legal practice, Dr. Gauci-Maistre co-founded the firm Gauci-Maistre Xynou, with Ms Despoina Xynou, a Greek lawyer. Together with their growing team of lawyers, the firm is operated from Malta with a predominantly international client base.
Practice Areas
- Shipping
- Yachting
- Corporate & Tax Law
- Aviation
Languages
English, Maltese, Italian
Memberships
- Association of Ship Agents
- Connecticut Maritime Association
- European Maritime Law Organisation
- Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
- Maritime Legislative Advisory Council
- Malta Maritime Law Association
- Young Maritime Professionals
Education
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2013, Malta Institute of Taxation (MIT) Diploma in Taxation
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2008-2009 MSc Degree in Maritime Affairs (Ship Management), World Maritime University. Thesis: “Shipping Strategies in the Dry Bulk and Tanker Sectors (Specialization vs Diversification)”
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2008-2009 Institute of Chartered Shipbroker Professional Qualifying Examinations
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2008 LL.D. Degree, University of Malta. Thesis: "The Implications for Malta in Light of the Proposed Maritime Policy by the Commission"
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2006 Diploma of Notary Public, University of Malta
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2005 B.A. Legal & Humanistic Studies, University of Malta
Despoina Xynou - Advocate
Despoina Xynou, lawyer by profession, is part of the legal department of GM International Services Limited focusing primarily on ship and yacht registration under the Malta flag. She is also the founding Partner at Gauci-Maistre Xynou, having co-founded the firm in 2015. With GMX she specialises in maritime and corporate law, ship registration, ship finance, mortgages and taxation.
Despoina’s client portfolio comprises local and international law firms, financial institutions, ship owners and managers.
Practice Areas
- Shipping
- Taxation
Languages
Greek and English
Memberships
- Admitted to the Volos Bar Association, Greece
- Malta Maritime Law Association
- Malta Chamber of Advocates
Education
- M.Sc. in Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus (2012)
- Bachelor of Law, Democritus University of Thrace (2005)
Charles Caruana - Head of Shipping Department
Charles, who is the Head of the Shipping Department, joined GM International Services Limited way back in 2002. At that time, he was assisting in the clerical duties within the shipping department. Over the years, he attended number of courses by which he gained a great knowledge of the shipping Industry. With GMI he specialises in Ship and Yacht Registrations under the Malta Flag as well in the Ship and Yacht Agency. Today Charles heads the Shipping Department.
Practice Areas
- Shipping
- Yachting
Languages
English and Maltese
Memberships
Member of Malta Maritime Law Association
Education
- Diploma in Ship Agency, Lloyds Maritime Academy, UK (2005)
- Diploma in Maritime Management, ICM UK (2014)
- Advanced Diploma in Maritime Management, ICM UK (2016)
Maria Sakka - Shipping Administrator
Maria Sakka is Shipping Administrator at GM International Services Limited. She joined the company in January 2019 and started working within the Shipping Department, focusing on all aspects related to the ship and yacht registration under the Malta flag and crewing.
Prior joining GM International Services Limited, Maria was Operations Clerk within a local Shipping company whereby she gained more two years’ experience in the shipping sector, particularly in Ship Registration under the Malta flag.
Practice Areas
- Shipping
- Crewing
Languages
Greek, English, German
Education
- Bsc in Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, 2012-2016
- Msc in Biological Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, 2015-2017
David Said - Chief Operating Officer
David Said is the Chief Operating Officer of the Group. He is involved in many sectors of the group amongst which include Administration, Human Resources & Training, Due Diligence and Compliances, Insurance, Property Development & Management, Company Projects, etc. He had joined the company way back in 1977 as a “General Duties Office Clerk” when the company was still in its infancy offering the innovative “Economicard - Cash Discount Card”, Ship & Yacht Registrations and Travel services. He gained a wealth of experience and in view of his organisational and demonstrated leadership skills, together with a good eye for detail, was soon appointed as office manager to oversee the daily administration of the company. Working in close collaboration with his Managing Director, they had successfully transformed the shipping department into the largest ship registration company in Malta. The company then ventured into other sectors such as computers, and he used his experiences to help the company make a huge success from the representation and promotion of Commodore Computers in Malta, which then became a household name. The company kept diversifying and growing adding new portfolios. He practically grew with the company and was eventually appointed as General Manager. He was a catalyst in helping the Group grow and achieve many goals and successes over decades which have helped the group arrive to where it proudly stands today.
Practice Areas
- Administration
- Management
- Maritime & Corporate Services
- Computer Sales and Marketing
- Human Resources and Training
- Due Diligence and Compliance
- Insurance
- Property Development and Management
Languages
English, Maltese, Italian
Education
- Sliema Secondary School
- Qualification to act as an Insurance intermediary
- Attending various management and motivational courses
Mark Pullicino - Senior Accountant
Mark Pullicino is a Senior Accountant at the Economicard Group. He joined the company way back in 2009. Mark worked in the financial sector for a number of years. Furthermore, he is also part of the management team of the Group. Currently, his main responsibilities are to manage the accounts team, preparation of cash flow, management accounts, VAT Returns and the payroll. He is involved in many sectors of the Group amongst which including the Corporate Section, Human Resources, Property Development & Management, amongst others.
Practice Areas
- Financial management
- VAT
- Income Tax
- Corporate clients
Languages
English and Maltese
Memberships
Malta Institute of Management
Education
- IAB Diploma in Small Business Financial Management
- Diploma course in Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Company Law
- Employment Law
Lynn Cunningham - Client Accountant
Lynn Cunningham is a Client Accountant, having joined GM International in 2016. Prior to joining GMI, Lynn worked as an accounts trainee at a manufacturing company during her studies where she gained work experience in an office environment and clerical experience.
With GMI she works mainly on issuing invoices/credit notes to clients, does bank reconciliations and sending monthly statements to customers along with other administrative duties.
Practice Areas
- Finance
Languages
English and Maltese
Education
- MCAST Advanced Diploma in Accounting (2016)
The following advantages are offered to ship owners who wisely choose to register their ships in Malta. The major advantages and tax concessions may be summarised as follows:
- In respect of Maltese ships having a net tonnage exceeding 1000 net tons (defined as "exempt ship"):
a. The owning company shall be exempt from Income Tax on any gains or profits derived from the ownership or operation of the exempted ship;
b. No Income Tax shall be payable on dividends paid by the company to the shareholders if such dividends are paid out of the gains or profits mentioned in paragraph (a) above;
c. No Succession and Donation duties are payable on shares of the owning company; and
d. No stamp duty shall be payable in respect of any instrument involving:- the registration of an exempted ship (such as the Bill of Sale); and
- the allotment of any newly issued shares, transfer, assignment or negotiation of any share or stock of any such company.
- Ships of under 1000 net tons (excluding pleasure yachts) may qualify for the above exemptions only if the shareholders of the owning company are non-residents and non-domiciliaries of Malta.
- There are no restrictions under the Maltese exchange control (Central Bank) regulations for the registration, mortgaging, sale and operation of Maltese ships, the distribution of dividends/profits and repatriation of funds.
- No restrictions whatsoever are imposed on the nationality of the master, certified officers and crew employed on Maltese ships.
- There are no restrictions on the sale of ships registered in Malta to foreign nationals.
- There are no restrictions on the mortgaging of ships registered in Malta in favour of foreign nationals.
- There are no trading restrictions on Maltese ships.
- No inspections are necessary for vessels under 15 years, whereas vessels aged between 16 and 20 years may carry out an inspection within one month of provisional registration, without incurring any inspection fees.
- There is no restriction on the sale or transfer of shares, or stock of a company owning a Maltese ship.
- Fast registration and de-registration system.
- A Body corporate established under the Laws of Malta, having a place of business in Malta, need not have its principal place of business in Malta in order to own a Maltese ship. Similarly, there is no requirement for the Maltese Body corporate to have any Maltese directors/officers.
- Although a deletion certificate from the previous flag, Carving & Marking Note and Bill of Sale are required by law within thirty days, this period may be unofficially extended.
- Ships registered in Malta are subject to low fees.
- A Maritime Agreement is in force with the Russian Federation whereby Maltese flagged vessels calling at Russian Ports receive preferential treatment especially in respect of Port dues and taxes.
- The Merchant Shipping Directorate (formerly Malta Maritime Authority) gives a 24 hour service, seven days a week. A Registrar and a technical advisor are on call after office hours (including weekends and public holidays) for urgent requirements.
OTHER ADVANTAGES
- A flexible and efficient Maritime Authority
- Political stability and excellent relations with local authorities
- Good reputation as a flag of choice and confidence
- Tax treaties with most major countries
- Excellent telecommunications and efficient air services
