Trade mission to Libya could be largest ever

Malta Enterprise could potentially lead one of the largest trade missions ever organised when it heads to Libya attached to a “high level” political delegation at a date yet to be set.

More than 100 business people express interest in joining the trip

On Tuesday, Malta Enterprise issued a press release explaining that some 100 business people had expressed interest in joining the trip which had been announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on September 9.

The press release fuelled further interest in the business delegation this week, according to a Malta Enterprise official. Even if some enquiries do not turn into bookings, the economic development agency could be organising one of its largest trade missions since 70 business people accompanied then President Eddie Fenech Adami on a state visit to Poland in January 2009.

According to the Malta Enterprise official, interest in the Libya visit has been expressed by firms in a cross-section of industries, including construction, pharmaceuticals, food, joinery works, and information technology. Several of the organisations are examining the potential of making their first foray into the Libyan market.

The authorities are still evaluating the logistics and timing of the visit, which hinge on security.

Meanwhile, Malta Enterprise’s office opened as planned in Tripoli on Monday where a team led by Salem Megdami is providing ground support to Maltese business people operating “across the country”, the official emphasised.

The office will be instrumental in supporting Malta Enterprise in the organisation of one-to-one meetings between the travelling business people and their Libyan counterparts during the trade mission.

Malta Enterprise’s efforts to facilitate trade with North Africa continue in December with a business delegation to Tunisia.

The visit closely follows a trade mission to Tunis last June which found the country to be open for business and dialogue soon after the uprising which toppled President Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali in January.

Supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Maltese Embassy in Tunisia, Malta Enterprise led a group of 11 representatives from Maltese firms.

Malta Enterprise signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre de Promotion des Exportations de la Tunisie (CEPEX) and planned another with the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency.

Two of the last trade missions for the year will see Maltese business people venturing further afield with trips to Melbourne and Sydney in October and India in late November.

The business delegation to Australia will coincide with the Prime Minister’s participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth. The Maltese firms’ programme will include a business forum and a series of contact meetings in each city.

There will be a similar programme in India between November 27 and December 3. Malta Enterprise has just appointed a regional leader to India who is tasked with acting as a reference point for business people from either country. Mumbai has been confirmed as one leg of the delegation’s trip.