Hailing from a small island, Maltese traders have travelled across the Mediterranean to Europe, and beyond, since time immemorial. Their businesses have thrived in the Americas, Asia and even Australia during the past century.

And nowadays, with increased connectivity, there are even more opportunities for Maltese companies in a more globalised world. They continue to thrive by keeping up with world trends and providing exciting, innovative products and specialised services across the globe.

Trade Malta (a public-private partnership between the government and the Malta Chamber of Commerce), which now falls within the remit of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, supports this ongoing internationalisation of Maltese trade.

Last year, Trade Malta organised trade missions to four countries, including Ghana, which was my first trade mission as minister. This was a milestone event, which gave a clear message: Malta is open for business in sub-Saharan Africa.

To pursue this objective we will soon open a High Commission in Ghana, one of the largest economies within the Economic Community of West African States, as well as a Commonwealth member. But Malta’s foreign policy and economic diplomacy vision for Africa does not stop at Ghana.

We are intent on building strong foundations for long-term engagement with the whole continent. With Ghana covering the west, we have now nominated a non-resident ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, Ronald Micallef, who will focus on the Horn of Africa in the east through Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and seat of the African Union.

It is time for Malta to reach out to Africa in both solidarity and trade. We recognise this will not be easy

Apart from making sure Malta is at the African Union table together with other EU partners, he will also be charged with making connections and partnerships and putting in place the systems needed as prerequisites to successful business dealings in this region and, of course, in Ethiopia.

Which is why we hosted a Trade Malta Investment and Business Opportunities in Ethiopia event at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion last month. I was delighted to welcome to Malta Aklilu Hebremichael, Ethiopia’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade Promotion and Diaspora Affairs, and his delegation.

He addressed more than 40 companies based in Malta who are interested in learning about opportunities for trade and commerce in Ethiopia, which has the fastest growing economy in East Africa and is expected to establish itself as the third largest economy in Africa by 2025.

Ethiopia’s economy has experienced strong, broad-based growth, averaging 10.5 per cent a year in 2005-06, even with its huge population of about 102 million, making it the second most populous nation in Africa after Nigeria.

The government is implementing the second phase of its growth and transformation plan (GTP II), aiming to continue work on physical infrastructure through public investment projects to transform Ethiopia into a manufacturing hub.

All this economic activity is directly relevant to Maltese companies seeking new opportunities overseas, and it is in line with our vision of a prosperous Africa which can contribute further and more equitably to global growth.

Also, Ethiopia’s location gives it strategic dominance in the Horn of Africa, close to the Middle East and its markets. Landlocked, it borders Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and its neighbour, Djibouti – Ethiopia’s main port, where Maltese products already enter into the markets of East Africa.

For a small island like Malta, the opportunities for trading in such large countries are vital. A stronger economy, coupled with sincere intent to establish long-term links, implies that Malta can benefit from improved trade and access to larger markets while supporting Ethiopia in reaching its development objectives.

It is time for Malta to reach out to Africa in both solidarity and trade. We recognise this will not be easy, but other countries have already established strong partnerships and a trading presence in Africa.

Plus, it takes time to build business confidence and trust, as well as the knowledge and skills which ensure success in new markets. But we are proceeding with a clear sense of purpose. This is the first chapter in our relations with Africa, and we are building our partnership with a diverse continent of 55 countries around a ‘trade not aid’ policy, recognising Africa’s strengths.

We are also seeking to be a true friend to Africa bilaterally, in the Mediterranean and within the European Union.

Because for this generation of Maltese traders, the future beckons. And the opportunities are truly global.

Carmelo Abela is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion.