Maltese entrepreneurs have reported good prospects for business after returning from a trade mission to Palermo and Sicily last week.

Investment, possible areas of cooperation, and the strengthening of trade and business relationships between the two islands were the focus of a five-day visit organised by Malta Enterprise, with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Chamber for SMEs (GRTU), and the Italo-Maltese Chamber of Commerce.

The programme also included one-to-one meetings for the 15 companies forming part of the delegation.

Sicily is the main region in Italy for trade with Malta – accounting for roughly a fourth of our exports and a slightly higher rate for our imports from the neighbouring country. Some entrepreneurs took advantage of the visit not only to explore new market opportunities, but also to conclude and formalise business deals.

With both economies based almost exclusively on SMEs, discussions in Sicily also focused on how the islands could complement each other, particularly in sectors such as financial services, ICT, food and beverages, healthcare, educational and professional services, environmental technologies, eco-tourism as well as precision and light engineering.

The Sicilians identified financial services and health as sectors in which Malta could assist their growing industry; on their part they could support Malta in the environmental technology sector, among others.

Discussions also focused on enhancements to tourism and industry following the addition of another vessel to service the sea route.

In Catania, the programme also included a testimonial by Marcella di Pasquale from Fire Spa, who recently set up a call-centre in Malta and employed around 10 members of staff.