Staff Report
Dubai: The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently concluded its high-level trade mission to Malta which aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and explore trade and investment opportunities that are opening up in the fast-growing European country.
A business delegation led by the Chamber met with key stakeholders from the country’s public and private sectors, including Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Hon. Carmelo Abela, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Hon. Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, and representatives from the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
During a private meeting, Muscat said the delegation visit was an important and positive step in enhancing Malta-UAE economic ties. He explained that Malta has a lot of trade and investment potential to offer UAE businesses, in addition to other advantages such as the country’s strategic location offering easy access to Europe, strong economic growth, and political stability.
The delegation attended the Malta-Dubai Business Seminar, which was hosted at Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion. During the event, Hon. Carmelo Abela said that Malta compliments the Dubai’s role in the Gulf region as a player in the field of trade and investment. He noted that air links between the UAE and Malta have helped establish a healthy connectivity between the two countries and bring business communities closer together.
Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, explained that the Chamber had organised the trade mission to Malta with the intention of exploring new avenues of cooperation between Maltese and Dubai-based companies that will create mutual benefits and economic growth.
Dubai Chamber’s Chairman revealed that non-oil trade between Dubai and Malta amounted to $33 million in 2016, adding that there is still plenty of scope to expand trade and investment ties, especially in the areas of finance, ICT, tourism, healthcare, and education.
“Malta is an ideal trading partner to Dubai as the country shares many synergies with the emirate. With its strategic geographic location and excellent logistics facilities, Dubai can serve as a gateway for Maltese businesses that want to access a market of over 2 billion consumers across the GCC, Africa, and Asia,” said Al Ghurair.
The delegation was led by Dubai Chamber’s Chairman Majid Saif Al Ghurair, and joined by Salim Eisa Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia and Non-Resident Ambassador to Malta, Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi, Dubai Chamber’s Vice President of International Relations, Mr. Ahmad Saeed Bel Youha, Chairman of Emirates Macaroni Factory, Mr. Omar Shehadeh, Senior Vice President of International Affairs and Engagement, Expo 2020 Dubai, Ms. Line Hachem, Country Manager, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Ishwar Chugani, CEO and Managing Director, Giordano Middle East.
