The double taxation (avoidance) treaty between Malta and the US will be signed shortly, American Ambassador Molly Bordonaro told the newly-elected members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Malta.

During a courtesy call on the Ambassador at her private residence in Attard, both parties spoke about developments taking place between the governments of the two countries, mainly the initialising of the double taxation (avoidance) treaty and the US visa waiver programme.

Mrs Bordonaro said that the final signing of the treaty would significantly encourage more US firms to invest in Malta especially as the island continues to grow internationally as a business destination of excellence in the Mediterranean.

As for the US visa waiver programme, now that a memorandum of understanding has been signed, the AmCham delegation augured that the process towards the introduction of biometric passports in Malta would take place without unwarranted delays as the visa waiver is a measure deemed beneficial to Maltese citizens interested in doing commerce in the US as well as for those citizens travelling to the US for leisure purposes.

AmCham Malta supports the stand taken by the US government to fast-track Malta's visa waiver programme together with that of seven other new EU members.

AmCham president Anton Tabone outlined his organisation's plans for the coming year that would include the co-hosting of a high-level seminar in Malta and assisting government entities in the organisation of possible trade missions/seminars in the United States.

AmCham Malta is a member of the European Council of American Chambers of Commerce.

www.amcham-malta.org