Malta at the Big 5 Show

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 51% of total exports followed by Asia, 20%, North America, 15%, Africa and the Middle East, 8% and other countries 6%.

The range of products that are exported from Malta are very impressive with over 50% represented by electronic components and the others include foodstuffs, rubber and plastic products, electrical equipment, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, fish, medical products, printing services, building materials and others.

With regards to exports to the Gulf region, these have reached around $30m with exports to the UAE representing around 50% of the total exports to the Gulf region. The main ranges of products exported from Malta to the Gulf region include building materials, industrial products, electrical equipment, foodstuffs and household goods.

Mr. Anthony Tabone, Consul General stated that since Malta's entry in the European Union in May of 2004, 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 past editions of the Big 5 Show, Malta Enterprise, the national trade and investment organisation, is participating during the 2008 edition with the participating companies exhibiting a range of products related to the building materials and interiors sectors.

Mr Dennis Vella, Director of the Malta Pavilion said that most of the companies that participated in the previous editions 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 picture frames, whirlpool fittings and components, wall frames, paint brushes, civil engineering services 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 international companies that are already active in building projects in Libya. 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 2009, Malta Enterprise is planning to intensify its efforts in the Gulf region by official participation at the Hotel Show to be held 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.