A Czech Republic business mission will be visiting Malta on July 10 to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The mission will be headed by Milan Hovorka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, together with Vladimir Zavazal, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Malta.

The Czech Republic has traded with Malta for these last 40 years.

Since becoming a member of the European Union, the Eastern country has recorded a record foreign trade surplus, the highest ever in its history. It is now among the most open economies in the European Union, managing to attract a large number of international investors, Maltese included.

Czech exports in 2007 grew by 15 per cent and 85 per cent of this goes to EU countries, making foreign trade the major contributor to the Czech economy.

The aim of this business mission is to revive business contacts and renew commercial relationships with Maltese organisations and businesses while addressing the sectors which have been identified as those most interesting to the Maltese economy. The Czech Republic will be presented as a modern, prosperous and dynamic economy well prepared to take up the presidency of the EU in January.

A presentation entitled Doing Business With The Czech Republic will be held at the offices of Malta Enterprise - Tradewinds Hall, San Ġwann industrial estate on July 11 at 10 a.m. Those wishing to attend should send an e-mail to consulate@czech-malta.com or phone 2141 3893, 2141 2807 or 2141 7428.