The Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise “is convinced it has a valid role to play in assisting private enterprise to internationalise their operations. In the process this would assist the ministry in attaining one of its announced strategic objectives as listed in its document published in February”, said chamber president Victor Galea.
He was speaking during a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo that was also attended by members of the Chamber Officer Group and Director General.
The meeting allowed both sides to discuss possible areas of cooperation that will lead to a wider section of the private sector seeking penetration of EU and other international markets.
This is in line with the government’s announced objective to seek “maximisation of multisectoral benefits from Malta’s international network of embassies and consulates”.
The latter is listed as the sixth in a series of aims grouped in a document entitled Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy.
The chamber also said it was in favour of the ministry’s policy to pursue stronger economic cooperation with Malta’s neighbours in the Euro-Med region as well as the fast-growing economic giants – India and China.
The chamber said it hoped that the prospective opening of the Maltese High Commission in India would foster existing trade relations between this country and Malta.
Dr Frendo also accepted an invitation by the chamber president to address the business community about his ministry’s strategic objectives.
This event was the latest in a series of meetings with the country’s principal decision-makers.
The chamber recently held a very successful dialogue session for its members with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. In addition, it has held constructive meetings with Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, Mr Tonio Fenech, Mr Edwin Vassallo and other senior public officials.
The chamber believes it is duty bound to maintain permanent and regular contact with the government and the country’s political leaders.
The chamber will be meeting Opposition Leader Alfred Sant today.