Trade Malta Ltd, the public-private partnership between the government and the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, has appointed Anton Buttigieg as its Chief Executive Officer.

His appointment follows a public call.

Established last December and currently based at Tigne Point in Sliema, Trade Malta is an executive agency dedicated to supporting Maltese businesses to reach foreign markets with their products and services.

As CEO, Mr Buttigieg will lead the executive team to assist Malta-based businesses venture into overseas markets.

Mr Buttigieg reports to the Trade Malta board of directors led by chairman David G Curmi and composed of John Mamo, Tonio Casapinta, Frank V. Farrugia, Stephen Sultana, Paula Calamatta and Andrew Imre Gatesy.

Trade Malta, which became operational last month, has been tasked with co-ordinating and marketing incoming and outgoing trade promotion missions, supporting bilateral trade meetings, and researching market opportunities, among other services.

Its mission includes guiding businesses to explore various models including franchising, helping them package niche services to target international markets better, and supporting them to license their businesses and brands.

Mr Buttigieg joins Trade Malta from Business Leaders Malta, the business services company, where he was operations director.

He was previously business administration and development manager at Panta Lesco, management consultant at market research and training firm MISCO, and an economist at the Central Bank of Malta.

He graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor degree in commerce in 2000 before pursuing a Master’s degree in international economics and management from SDA Bocconi, the Milan-based business school.