The association was formed with the help of the Malta Standards Authority and the Small Business and Crafts Directorate. It was launched in the presence of Competitivity Minister Censu Galea, and parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo, during a visit to Chaudron Ltd.

This company is preparing to export a number of boats to Norway. The boats have already met the criteria laid down by the Malta Standards Authority so that the CE conformity mark can be attached. They can therefore be sold anywhere in the European Economic Area, including Norway.

Mr Galea said that this was one of the advantages of Malta’s membership of the EU because otherwise Maltese businessmen could not export their wares without encountering extra problems.

The companies forming the association are Buccaneer Boats Ltd, Carmelo Aquilina Boat Builder, Chaudron Co. Ltd, Crown Fibreglass, Fibreoptic Ltd, Hi-Tech Marine Ltd, Paul’s Garage, Petercraft and Tar-Ratal Marine Crafts.