On the 17th of June Michael J. Bianchi, the Honorary Consul General of Austria and
Dr Michael Berger, the Austrian Commercial Consul of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce held an Austrian Business Forum in cooperation with the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Valletta
The non-resident Austrian Ambassador, Dr Michael Schwarzinger, and Christian Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business also addressed The Austrian Business Forum.
Austria is a dynamic European Union member state offering business opportunities for companies of various sizes.
The aim of this business forum was to enhance the business development opportunities between both countries.
Information on Austria as a business partner as well as the excellent bilateral relations between both countries were the focal keys of the discussion at the Austrian Business Forum.
The following important key points were reported by Dr Michael Berger, the Austrian Commercial Consul of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
Exports from Malta to Austria
in 2015: €12 million
à major commodity groups are cruise ships, toys, electronical
goods, pharmaceutical and chemical products
Imports from Austria to Malta
in 2015: €39,3 million
à wood, natural or cultured pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, machinery & mechanical appliances, jewellery and beverages
Exchange of Services:
Exports from Malta to Austria 2015: €103 million (+51%)
Imports from Austria to Malta 2015: €111 million (+15%)
Dr Michael Berger emphasized the promising markets and sectors with a wide range of business opportunities and interesting prospects of co-operations for both Austrian and Maltese companies:
n Tourism and leisure
n Naval industry and yachting
n Environmental technologies
n Renewable energies
n Life sciences
n Finance and banking sector, gaming and related IT & ICT
n Cooperations for projects in third party countries à Malta as a gateway to North Africa
The biggest Join Venture: Malta International Airport - Vienna International Airport
In his speech Minister Cardona praised the long history of healthy trade and diplomatic relations between Malta and Austria. Furthermore, the minister mentioned that there are 419 Austrian companies having shares in Maltese companies, a fact that witness the excellent business relations between Austria and Malta.
The Austrian Business Forum strengthened the commercial relations between both countries.
A networking event was held afterwards at the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Valletta.