JEDDAH – More than 15 companies from Malta explored ways to export their products and services to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as their representatives visited both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, assisted by Malta Enterprise to explore commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The business delegation to the two Gulf states comprised companies operating in sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, food and beverages, call center and back office support, as well as professional and legal services. Delegates had various one-to-one meetings which were organized through Malta Enterprise's institutional networks, whereby businesses had the opportunity to meet the decision makers of the establishments and discuss future potential collaborations as well as seek trade partnerships. The Maltese businesses' representatives commented positively about the business delegation and the outcome of the meetings held, with encouraging prospects being registered and which will now be followed up on. Besides assisting Maltese companies in their efforts toward internationalization including exporting to the Gulf states, the delegation also had the scope of attracting foreign direct investment to Malta. In this regards, the Consul General for Malta in Dubai Anthony Tabone and the Malta Enterprise representatives had a number of meetings with the aim of enticing investors to Malta, highlighting aspects such as the business-friendly environment in the country, the excellent relations Malta has with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the stability that it could offer to investors. Representatives from the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry also held a number of bilateral meetings to strengthen the relations with the Chambers of Commerce in Riyadh and Kuwait. Trade between Malta and states in the GCC has increased in the last couple of years and various negotiations are ongoing to further strengthen trade relations. To this effect, the Malta Enterprise Office in Dubai is constantly working toward enhancing further synergies with UAE and the entire Middle East. The new Malta Embassy in Kuwait can also contribute towards creating further synergies in this market and is already in contact with a number of institutions, while a number of events in both Malta and the Gulf region are being planned in the coming months. Malta Enterprise's initiatives in the region will continue later in the year through the participation in the Middle East Business Aviation Exhibition (MEBA) being held in December, where Malta Enterprise will be hosting a National Pavilion and assisting over 10 Maltese companies to showcase their products within the industry. — SG/Agencies
