SiGMA Central Europe: President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, was in Rome today to officially kick off SiGMA’s very first Central Europe event. Before her keynote speech, she met with Maltese representatives, including Malta’s ambassador to Rome, H.E. Daniel Azzopardi, GamingMalta CEO Ivan Filetti, and Elevate AI CEO Keith Zammit.
A Warm Welcome to Europe’s Heart
Taking to the stage, Metsola set a welcoming tone from the start. “Europe is your home,” she told the audience, describing it as a “place of the future” – one determined to make it easier, safer, and faster for people to operate, launch startups, and scale their businesses.
Looking out over a packed crowd, she spoke warmly: “It is great to open SiGMA, right here in Rome, the heart of Europe.” She praised the event, backed by thousands of exhibitors and delegates, calling them the “building blocks of next generation Europe” and celebrating SiGMA as “one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world.”
With a smile, she added, “I’m more than a little proud that it [SiGMA] started in my island home of Malta.”
A Personal Connection
Metsola fondly recalled her university days with SiGMA Founder Eman Pulis. “It’s fantastic to see how your idea has grown from a pitch to a global platform,” she said, expressing pride both in him and in Malta. “We are so proud of you, and our country has much to be proud of. But, ultimately, above all – of its people, many of whom are here today.”
Europe’s Balance Between Growth and Responsibility
Shifting focus to Europe’s growing tech and gaming industries, Metsola emphasized that the real success story goes beyond numbers or growth charts. She highlighted how these industries prove that “our European way works, that we can be pro-business, that we can be forward looking, open to innovation and new tech whilst still doing things responsibly and protecting the most vulnerable.”
She underlined Europe’s unique balance between innovation and accountability. “Balance between growth and responsibility is what makes Europe unique, gives investors predictability, builds trust with users, and allows creativity to flourish without leaving anyone behind.”
The Challenges Holding Europe Back
However, Metsola cautioned that if Europe wants to stay competitive, there’s still work to do. “Regulation in Europe is essential, but remains too fragmented.”
She pointed out how different licensing systems, operating regimes, and advertising rules across countries make it harder for businesses to plan and expand. “That has to change,” she stressed.
One possible solution she mentioned was the idea of a “28th regime” – a single, optional European framework for businesses. This, she suggested, could make it much easier for companies to operate across borders while still respecting national differences. It would be “the leap we need to collectively look to as a continent but also as a global international giant.”
Faster, Smarter, and More Supportive
According to Metsola, entrepreneurs in tech, gaming, and finance keep sending the same message: Europe needs to move faster and make it easier to invest. “They want a Europe that supports, not one that gets in their way,” she said.
“Europe cannot run on nostalgia, we can’t cling to old ways and expect new results,” she warned.
Businesses, she continued, need the freedom and the tools to compete globally and to show how Europe can lead. “I want the European way to mean something clear: innovation and not over-regulation, implementation and not unnecessary bureaucracy and delivery, not red tape. Targeted regulation that gives predictability.”
Smart Regulation, Not Red Tape
She closed by reminding the audience that compliance shouldn’t take up most of a business’s time. Regulation, she said, should be “smart – focused on rule-breakers and not those who play by them.” On this point, she noted, “there is broad agreement.”
“This is a moment Europe cannot afford to miss, we can either shape this new era of tech or watch others do it for us. We were not designed to follow.”
Looking Ahead: Europe’s Digital Future
Metsola expressed excitement about the opportunities in the digital economy, saying they can help make platforms “safer, more transparent and fairer.” She believes Europe should be leading this transformation.
What’s holding the continent back, she explained, is a lack of support and funding. Interestingly, Europe already has more AI and tech professionals per capita than the U.S. – and nearly three times as many as China.
To tackle this, she announced that the EU plans to mobilize 200 billion euros for AI and digital industries. She also mentioned the Savings and Investment Union, designed to help direct funding toward startups and small businesses eager to expand across borders.
A Message for the Future Builders
Metsola ended her speech on an inspiring note: “To all of you building the future of tech and digital creativity – keep going, you are showing that Europe’s strength lies not in looking back but in shaping what comes next. And I assure you – we have your back.”
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