Three French firms to set up shop in Malta

Three French firms in the aviation, pharmaceutical and import/export sectors are to set up shop in Malta in the coming months, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Addressing the media at the Maltese embassy in Paris where he is on a two-day visit, Dr Gonzi said Malta stood at the crossroads between Europe and North Africa apart from the other advantages, among them the efficiency and flexibility of Maltese workers.

The fact that Malta had a double taxation agreement with Libya was considered a plus for French investment in Malta, he said.

There is a lot of interest in Malta by French businesses in the aviation, pharmaceutical, financial services and the electronics sector, he added.

The Prime Minister's visit is part of the drive by the government through its embassy in the French capital. The embassy at the Champ d'Elysee is led by ambassador Vicki-Ann Cremona. Malta Enterprise has a representative office headed by Josephine Vassallo at the embassy.

The embassy and Malta Enterprise are leaving no stone unturned building contacts with French industrialists and following them up.

In fact a delegation of leading French industrialists is expected to visit Malta in October for talks with government officials and local entrepreneurs.

Dr Gonzi had separate talks with the executives of two leading companies in the communications and pharmaceutical fields.

Another meeting at the embassy was with former French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, who is also the Vice-President of the European People's Party.

Dr Gonzi is today expected to meet French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace.

The Prime Minister who is a keen football fan will be watching the European Champions final between Barcelona and Arsenal in Paris today.