Malta Business Seminar in South Africa

The Prime Minister, Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, who is in South Africa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was the keynote speaker at a Malta Business Seminar held in South Africa today. The theme of the Seminar was "Malta - Your Business Partner in the Mediterranean". The seminar discussed Malta's trade, investment and transhipment potential for South African Companies seeking a platform from which to tap regional markets in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

The seminar was attended by over one hundred leading entrepreneurs from a variety of South African businesses, ranging from trading to manufacturing to financial services and shipping. The seminar was also addressed by the Minister for Economic Services, Prof. Josef Bonnici who explained Malta's industrial strategy to the business audience.

Mr Anthony Diacono, Chairman, METCO, and Mr Francis Vassallo, Chairman, MDC explained in detail Malta's business potential in terms of external trade and foreign direct investment for South African companies. Prof. Noel Zarb Adami, Chairman, Malta Drydocks, also highlighted Malta's ship repair capabilities to South African companies in the shipping industry.

Mr Dave Smith, Director of Contalta Ltd., a South African company which has invested in Malta and uses the island as a base for its production and international marketing operation, also addressed the seminar.

Mr Anthony Diacono, Chairman, METCO, also announced that METCO is organising a Business Co-operation Mission to South Africa next April 2000. Maltese manufacturers and exporters would be visiting South Africa with a view to introducing Maltese companies to partner companies in South Africa to jointly penetrate markets in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

The Malta Business Seminar was organised by METCO, together with Euro Chamber of South Africa, in association with the MDC. Following the conclusion of the Malta Business Seminar, the South African companies had the opportunity to discuss their respective business propositions with the Maltese delegation.