The Middle East Business Council (MEBC),  established within the structures of the Malta Chamber, and consisting of Malta Chamber members who have a common interest in promoting business relations in the Middle East, was launched today at SmartCity Malta.

Malta Chamber President David G. Curmi said that while the name of the newly-established body allows the MEBC to target the middle-Eastern region, it is the declared goal of the Business Bouncil to focus on the Gulf Cooperation Countries. Mr Curmi praised the hard work that has been done so far by Chairman Tonio Casapinta

Peter Frendo, Deputy Chairman of the ME Business Council said that  with a number of features in the press and the establishment of a website, the objective of creating a well-established entity, was already underway. The MEBC also intends to help Maltese business seeking to do business in the region and to forge links with stakeholders and potential investors from the region. One way of achieving this would be by establishing links with local stakeholders to facilitate a holistic and concerted effort when it comes to trade and investment links with the Gulf countries.

The keynote speaker was Dr Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna who  purposely came from Dubai to address the event. A former deputy director of the Dubai Chamber and the current CEO and major shareholder of Dubarch Architectural Engineering Interior Design Consultancy, Dr Al Banna gave a detailed insight into the business world in the Gulf in general and Dubai in particular.

The event was also addressed by SmartCity Malta CEO Anthony Tabone and Malta Enterprise Investment Promotion Manager Clive Brockdorff, who spoke about the status of the SmartCity Malta project and the support available to Maltese companies seeking to do business in the Middle East, respectively.

Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, the Hon Dr Christian Cardona also addressed the event, underpinning the importance the Government gives to the region. From the outset, the Government has had a strong focus on building ties in the Gulf and the establishment of this entity was therefore welcome news.

The event was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr George Vella, Minister for Education, Evarist Bartolo as well as by Ambassadors from the Embassies in Malta of various Middle Eastern countries.