Malta, the small island in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea and well known as a tourist destination, is also an important location for trade and investment. In fact, in many areas, Malta may be classified as a fairly advanced nation for its size, with an industrial base concentrating primarily on manufacturing for export. The main export markets for Malta are the European Union, accounting for around 49% of total exports followed by Asia, 23%, North America, 16%, Africa and the Middle East, 7% and other countries 5%.
The range of products that are exported from Malta is very impressive with over 50% represented by electronic components and the others include foodstuffs, rubber and plastic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, fish, medical products, printing services, building materials and other products.
With regards to exports to the Gulf region, these have reached around US$26 million in 2004 with exports to the UAE representing around 44% of the total exports to the Gulf region. The main range of products exported from Malta to the Gulf region includes building materials, industrial products, foodstuffs and household goods.
Mr Anthony Tabone, Consul General stated that since Malta’s entry in the European Union in May of last year, we have noticed a considerable increase in business enquiries for both investment and trading with Malta. The location of Malta and the good business infrastructure are important investment decisions for Gulf based companies that are targeting the North African and South European markets. Malta offers frequent travel and shipping connections to these regional markets and a more cost effective set-up to sustain these expanding markets especially in North Africa. In fact, several international companies use Malta as their regional hub or appoint Maltese representative companies to service this region.
Following the successful participation and results achieved during the 2004 international Big 5 Show Fair, Malta Enterprise, the national trade and investment organisation, will again be present for the 2005 edition with a larger exhibition area and with the participation of nine companies. This exhibition, which will be held from 16-20 November, is the leading regional fair for building materials and construction related products.
Mr Dennis Vella, Director of the Malta Pavilion said that most of the companies that participated in the 2004 edition have successfully clinched orders from clients in the UAE and other Gulf countries. Moreover, new companies will be present for this year’s edition and the range of products on display will be expanded to include aluminium works, contract furniture, demountable partitioning, industrial equipment, glass works, whirlpool fittings and components, varnishes and paints, sewage treatment plants, stainless steel wall protection products, wrought iron works, water systems and other products in the building materials sector.
Mr Vella added that besides direct exports to the Gulf region, Maltese companies could be the link for subcontracting works in North Africa by UAE based companies that are already active in building projects in Libya. In fact, a number of Maltese companies have won subcontracting contract works from international companies for the supply of household and hotel furniture, aluminium works, electrical installations, switchgear, paints and other related materials.
Moreover, during 2006, Malta Enterprise is planning to intensify its efforts in the Gulf region by official participation at the Hotel Show to be held during June in Dubai and organise business missions to Dubai and other Gulf markets. In addition to the traditional sectors of building materials and foodstuffs, the main export segments from Malta to the Gulf, Malta Enterprise will be intensifying its promotional efforts on new expanding sectors such as healthcare services, education and training services, information technology services and international trade. Mr Vella stated that these sectors have been identified as new sectors with high potential for internationalisation and export development.
More information on the participation of Malta at the Big 5 Show and other sectors for export could be obtained from the Head Office in Malta or the Malta Trade Centre in Dubai.
