Sino-Maltese commission discusses visas, taxation

The Sino-Maltese Mixed Economic and Trade Commission discussed the issue of visas for Chinese people wishing to visit Malta and the mutual recognition of diplomas and taxation frameworks.

The commission, co-chaired by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Chinese vice-Minister of Commerce Jiang Zengwei, met in Malta this week following the signing of an agreement in February on investment promotion and protection, which laid the legal foundation for cooperation.

Mr Fenech said Malta will be taking part in the Shanghai World Expo next year.

The discussions also covered areas of common concern such as the international economic crisis, in particular the effects on the respective economies and remedial action being taken.

Mr Fenech briefed the Chinese delegation on Vision 2015, seeking to encourage companies to actively cooperate with Malta in sectors such as health, information and communication technology, aviation and shipping maintenance, education and training.

Vice-Minister Zengwei ann-ounced that the Chinese government was allocating Malta a three million Renminbi (the official currency) grant (€310,000).

He said China wanted to strength-en cooperation with Malta because at the same time it would be strengthening its relations with the EU.