Malta’s international reputation as a reliable business destination is resulting in more foreign direct investment, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said during his address to 63 honorary consuls of Malta, who are currently participating in the second biennial business network meeting aimed at promoting external trade and foreign direct investment.
“Our pursuit of excellence requires us to be inclusive and historically grounded, even as we look toward the future. We must continue to cultivate a welcoming society that values human dignity. We must continue to treasure our local traditions,” said Dr Gonzi.
The consuls participating in the meeting, being held at the Radisson SAS Baypoint Hotel in St Julian’s, hail from 42 countries, including Uruguay, India, Madagascar, Latvia, USA, Cameroon, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Syria and other European states.
During his opening address on Thursday morning Foreign Minister Michael Frendo announced that former ambassador and director of protocol and consular services Leslie Agius has been appointed as contact point for Malta’s honorary consular network.
Mr Agius will assist the newly-appointed director of protocol and consular services Olaph Terribile in maximising the potential of Malta’s worldwide consular network.
“The strategic objectives of Malta’s foreign policy identify Malta’s consular network as an area of priority. The purpose of the meeting is to touch base with Malta’s overseas consular network, to update the consuls of developments taking place in the country and to outline how Malta is planning to move forward” said Dr Frendo.
He said the consular network helps to increase Malta’s promotion worldwide, in particular in areas where it is impossible, due to limitation of resources, to establish a diplomatic presence on the ground.
“Malta is experiencing record levels and a tremendous surge in foreign direct investment,” said Dr Frendo.
Later on Thursday, the participating honorary consuls, accompanied by the minister, called on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi at Auberge de Castille.
In his address, Dr Gonzi said Malta’s economy is necessarily tourism and foreign trade-oriented.
“I see the promotion of Malta as a prime tourist destination, as well as the promotion of Malta’s trade interests abroad as our most important duties. Your role of honorary consul is indeed far reaching and multifaceted.
“It is the honorary consulate that enables Malta to deliver consular services and assistance; to promote our culture; to establish bilateral contacts and to promote bilateral trade and investment where we do not have a diplomatic mission or a career consul,” said Dr Gonzi.
During their stay in Malta, the consuls also visited a number of industries in Malta and Gozo accompanied by representatives of the Federation of Industries.
Yesterday morning, a business networking breakfast was organised by the Foreign Ministry for the honorary consuls, around 40 members from local constitutes bodies and Maltese businessmen.
Minister Frendo welcomed the guests and invited them to use the networking breakfast as a resource for the business community to establish contacts and operate in a more effective manner.
Later yesterday, the consuls, accompanied by the Foreign Minister, called on President Edward Fenech Adami at the Palace in Valletta.
Today, the last day of the meeting, the consuls and their spouses will visit Gozo and a number of heritage sites.