Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce officially set up

The Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce was officially launched on Monday at a ceremony attended by MPs, businessmen, lawyers, travel agents, industrialists and English language school operators.

The launch took place at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise which is supporting the setting up of this new business organisation.

Chinese Ambassador Keyuan Zhang, Helga Ellul, president of the Maltese Chamber, leading Maltese businessman Maurice Mizzi and former Labour Cabinet Minister Reno Calleja spoke during the launch.

A provisional committee consisting of Mr Calleja, Mr Mizzi, Hugh Arrigo, Ian Mizzi and Tony Valvo was set up and entrusted with drawing up a statute, finding a suitable premises and establishing the Maltese Chinese Chamber’s clear objectives. It was asked to convene another meeting in two months time to elect a committee that would serve for two years.

Mrs Ellul and Maurice Mizzi both emphasised that China is now an economic giant which can no longer be ignored. They both visited China and said there existed potential for Chinese investment in Malta.

Ambassador Keyuan Zhang highlighted the signing of the investments and taxation agreements between Malta and China as two very important steps in the right direction to attract more investment from China.

Mr Calleja, who set up the Maltese Chinese Friendship Society 37 years ago and who was behind the idea to create the Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said the timing of the establishment of this new Chamber was indeed historic. It was 39 years ago, on January 31, 1972, that Malta and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations.

Malta, he said, was the first Western European country to recognise China after it was admitted to the United Nations.

“The Chinese never forgot that and they hold Malta in high esteem. However this is not being translated into concrete results. Other countries that established relations with China after Malta are more successful in attracting business from China,” lamented Mr Calleja.

During the meeting, some of those present complained that the visa problem for Chinese businessmen and students wanting to visit Malta is proving to be a real obstacle in prompting business between the two countries.

Among those attending the launch were parliamentary assistant Robert Arrigo, Labour spokesman on industry and investment Chris Cardona and Labour spokesman on social policy Carmelo Abela.