Some 50 Italian companies are represented at the Italian pavilion at this year's Malta International Trade Fair, which closes today. They are hoping to win more business from Maltese customers or at least to establish a business presence on the island.
Alberto Catarci, director of the Italian Trade Promotion Office (Istituto per il Commercio Estero, ICE) in Tripoli, Libya, who is attending this year's Malta fair, said that 15 firms are represented directly, but 35 others have sent catalogues which are available at the ICE office in the 700-square-metre Italian pavilion.
The pavilion used to be run by ICE until seven or eight years ago, but is now the responsibility of the Italo-Maltese Chamber of Commerce.
Dr Catarci said that Italy is Malta's leading trade partner, accounting for 25 per cent of its imports in 2004, while some 200 Italian firms operate in Malta, the most important being STMicroelectronics, which alone accounts for around 55 per cent of Malta's total exports.
"The companies which have used ICE's services this year are involved in such sectors as furniture-making, packaging technology, oil and gas installations, and food. Besides distributing catalogues, we have identified ten possible partners for each of the 35 companies, which are also seeking local agents," Dr Catarci added.
"The response so far is better than expected," he continued, "and this shows a great interest in Italian products by Maltese businessmen."
Dr Catarci said that, besides, ICE has also identified some strategic sectors in the Maltese economy which are likely to experience growth, and which could interest Italian investors. These included the construction sector, in view of the building of more hotels and tourism-related projects, such as two planned golf courses, which are intended to make Malta a more upmarket tourist destination; the environment - including waste disposal and recycling, where Italian companies have cutting-edge technology; and yachts and sailing boats, in view of the growing number of marinas and yachting berths in the Maltese Islands.
ICE, Dr Catarci said, also planned to hold seminars and workshops in Malta to promote business with Italy, and to organise visits by Maltese trade missions to specialised fairs in Italy, including the Rimini Tourism Forum, the Ecomondo fair, also in Rimini, and the Fiera Nautica in Genoa.
Italian and Maltese businessmen could also work together to explore growing business opportunities in Libya, Dr Catarci added.