Maltese businesses will now be able to sell their products online through Amazon, the world’s biggest retailer and e-commerce platform.

The change, which it is hoped will give Maltese e-commerce a shot in the arm, follows discussions between the Malta Communications Authority and Amazon.

Amazon hosts over 2 million active sellers and gives retailers access to over 300 million people in 189 countries. Last July, the company overtook Walmart to become the world’s biggest retailer by market value.

Retailers who sell their products through Amazon have access to security and fraud protection as well as powerful reporting tools to monitor their online presence, though the retailer has also faced criticism of using underhand tactics to undercut small retailers.

Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth Jose Herrera hailed the event as “another success for the government”. He thanked the MCA, Investment Ministry and the office of MEP Miriam Dalli for their work.

MEPs Roberta Metsola and Miriam Dalli welcomed the development,.

Dr Metsola said that local businesses had until now been “suffering an unfair disadvantage” due to having been given different treatment to companies in other countries.

“Maltese businesses have never shied away from competition, but that competition must be fair. Our businesses can compete with anyone, anywhere, but they need a level playing field," Dr Metsola said.

Dr Dalli said that ever since she was elected, in collaboration with the Ministry for the Economy, she was involved in talks with Amazon to provide access to Maltese sellers to their online platform and reach international customers.

“I am satisfied that my efforts, together with those of the Ministry of Economy have resulted in a positive outcome. This positive step provides more opportunities to our entrepreneurs and SMEs who can now tap into a much wider market. These are tangible initiatives which can really make a difference,” Dr Dalli said. 

 

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