The newly set up Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce aims to promote Malta as a logistical centre for trade between China and other countries in the region and the EU member states, Reno Calleja, the acting secretary general of the Chamber told The Times Business.
Mr Calleja, the chairman of the Maltese China Friendship Society who was behind the idea to create the Maltese Chinese Chamber, also said the promotion of cultural understanding between Malta and China would be given importance.
Mr Calleja said Malta’s service industry had a lot to offer China, especially the financial sector, the property market, the teaching of English, logistics and “by acting as a hub for Chinese companies”.
“All these aims are not without difficulties. For example the decision by the government to stop the residence permits scheme, the problems faced by Chinese businessmen and students to acquire a Schengen visa, the lack of Maltese consular offices in Shanghai and Guangzhou and the lack of a presence in the Chinese press and on Chinese television. These are all problems that are known to the Maltese government. The Maltese Chinese Chamber will try to offer solutions,” he said.
Asked how feasible it was for China to use Malta as a regional base to promote business in neighbouring countries, Mr Calleja said it was obvious that unless the idea was supported and pushed by the Chinese government, “it will not happen”.
“This idea has already been promoted and discussed over the last 10 years by two Maltese prime ministers, the President of the Republic, the Leader of the Opposition, opposition MPs, the Malta China Friendship Society and individual businessmen. However it seems that hitherto, it has not materialised.
“Probably there has not been enough publicity in China about the various advantages Malta can offer, mainly the tax regime, the excellent communications system, our banking system and the tradition of Malta as a trading centre going back to the time of the Phoenicians.
“I think it is high time Malta Enterprise and the MTA promoted more visits for journalists covering business, commerce, tourism, education and finance. There are now a large number of newspapers and magazines in China covering the areas.”
He said China State Television must be encouraged to broadcast to Malta by satellite.
“This Chinese channel is viewed by more than 800 million people. Efforts should be made by our embassy in China to attract a number of film crews from China State Television. We already had one or two of these in Malta however they focused on Malta as a tourist destination and as a cultural attraction. No Chinese journalists have visited Malta to cover the business sector.”
Mr Calleja said newspapers, television and the internet are the best way to make Malta known to the business community in China. The Malta China Friendship Society, he points out, which is a voluntary and non-funded organisation, has probably done more to keep Malta’s name in the Chinese press than all the government’s entities.
He also said the Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce hopes to create a website in English and Chinese to promote Malta as a business centre for China.
Mr Calleja said Maltese businesses needed to make themselves better known in China by participating in fairs, taking part in business trips organised by Malta Enterprise and cooperating and supporting the newly formed Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Regarding the possibility of a Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce being set up in China, Mr Calleja said: “We must first learn to walk before we run. That is a long term objective. My view is that as a first step the Chamber will appoint representatives in various provinces in China.”
Mr Calleja said the first meeting of the provisional committee of the Maltese Chinese Chamber of Commerce was held and it was decided to fix the membership fee at €50 a year. The meeting, which was chaired by businessman Maurice Mizzi, was held at Mizzi House, the Chamber’s temporary office.
The Chamber also decided to appoint its representatives in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangdong.
Those interested to join the new Chamber are requested to inform Mr Calleja by e-mail on oner@maltanet.net.