Business Between Malta and France On The Increase

The most recent statistics show that Malta has seen €134 million in imports and over €120 million in exports to and from France. In fact, exports in goods and services from France to Malta have increased by 144% whereas from Malta to France, the increase was of 32%.

These figures emerged from a recent business forum themed “Doing Business with France, then and in today’s environment” organised by the Maltese French Chamber of Commerce, a forum that also coincided with the Chamber’s commemoration of its 30th anniversary.

“The Maltese French Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Maltese and French Embassies, is excellently positioned and holds all the capabilities to connect all the dots to help Malta reap the business opportunities that exist between Malta and France,” said H.E. Mme. Helga Mizzi, Maltese Ambassador in France in her address during the forum which was also addressed by H.E. Mme. Brigitte Curmi, Ambassador of France in Malta and Nancy Caruana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for the Economy, Investment & Small Business.

Ambassador Mizzi added that Malta’s heightened efforts to build an outstanding profile in the blockchain, crypto-currency and artificial intelligence domains, backed by legislation, is something that is being noticed in Paris and is bound to be an innovative aspect of French-Maltese relations in the coming months.

“This is a field, over which I would definitely encourage the Chamber to take a proactive stance and whereas this is very encouraging, I would also like to see French business interests coming to Malta even in other fields such as aviation. France is also establishing diplomatic representations is Africa, especially in sub-Saharan regions and here. Malta too can play an active role by acting as a bridge for businesses wanting to use Malta as a springboard to these new regions,” she added.

Addressing those present, Joseph Bugeja, the Chamber’s President noted that this was the first time that the Business Forum organised by the Maltese French Chamber of Commerce has managed to secure the active participation of both Ambassadors, showing the respect and the relevance that the Chamber has managed to garner over the past years.

“The Chamber today has close to 100 members and its work has been mostly made possible thanks to the support from the French diplomatic mission in Malta and also from the Maltese Embassy in Paris. Their assistance over the past 30 years has always been instrumental in helping us remain true to our commitment to be of service to the Maltese and French business communities, building bridges and collaborating with successful and fruitful synergies,” he added.

The Business Forum included a panel discussion with the participation of Herald Bonnici, CEO of Malta Government Investments Limited, Laurent Zylberberg, Caisse De Depot, Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Business Development Officer Bank of Valletta, Philip Martinet, Managing Director Estate Wines, Bastien Paret, Managing Director RCI and Stephane Perchenet, Deputy Director of Business France Agency.