The Malta-Japan Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the approval in the European Parliament of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement.
This follows a similar decision by the Japanese side, thus concluding both partners’ parliamentary ratification of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the first ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan.
“This historical agreement will result in the increase of trade relations between EU Member States – including Malta – and Japan. The agreement will create an open trading zone covering 635m people and almost a third of global GDP while aiming to remove over 97 per cent of export duties,” the Chamber said.
“As a chamber dedicated exclusively on Japan, we will do our utmost to assist Maltese enterprises to do business with Japan – especially after the agreement comes into force on February 1, 2019. This will mean that Maltese enterprises, farmers, workers and consumers will start reaping the benefits of simpler and faster trade between the Malta and Japan.”
New chairman for Mazars global
Mazars, an international firm specialising in audit, accountancy, tax, legal and advisory services, has appointed Hervé Hélias as global chairman of the board.
Mr Hélias was appointed group CEO in 2016 and succeeds Philippe Castagnac, who was executive chairman for the past seven years and group CEO from 2011 to 2016.
Mr Hélias brings more than 30 years of audit and advisory services experience. As signing partner for some of Mazars’ largest clients, including BNP Paribas from 2000 to 2009, he has served as the leader of the audit service line, Global Business Unit PIE, as well as managing partner of Mazars in France, combined with the role of Group co-CEO since 2012.
For the past 75 years, Mazars has experienced continuous, uninterrupted growth, which the firm credits to its unique, integrated model.
The firm, which started as a neighbourhood book-keeper’s office in Rouen, France, in 1945, has become a recognised and respected international player, with nearly 23,000 staff in 89 countries and territories, without losing its values or compromising on its founding principles.