President Coleiro Preca said that the Maltese Islands are a bridge that connects cultures and continents, between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, while Bulgaria is, similarly, a strategic hub, which provides perfect access to the Western Balkans and beyond.
Delivering the closing address during the Bulgarian-Maltese Business Forum, organised in Sofia as part of her State Visit in Bulgaria, the President expressed her confidence in the fact that Malta and Bulgaria’s geo-strategic positions can be positively explored, for many socio-economic opportunities, to collaborate and to develop fruitful partnerships between Malta and Bulgaria, and their respective business communities.
“The presence of Malta’s Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, and the Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, as part of this delegation, is evidence of the political will of my government, to explore further opportunities for sustainable collaboration and potential partnerships, between our two countries, in many sectors. By working in synergy, not only will the business and social sectors of Malta and Bulgaria flourish, but our markets will also extend and expand, in the best interests of our peoples,” the President said.
“There is much potential, for mutual economic cooperation, between Malta and Bulgaria”
She explained that mutual cooperation between Malta and Bulgaria can be achieved through trade in services, and the provision of expertise, skills, and training in those areas where both our countries require mutual support.
On tourism between Malta and Bulgaria, President Coleiro Preca said this has been increasing exponentially, adding that tourism is an opportunity for economic growth, but it also, most importantly, provides person-to-person connections, which will result in a deepening of the cultural and social links between our peoples.
“For this reason, both our countries offer a rich and diverse tourist package, attracting all types of visitors,” President Preca stated, whilst reiterating the importance of the development of regular, direct connectivity between Malta and Bulgaria.
“These are exciting times for Malta and Bulgaria”
President Coleiro Preca stated that in Malta, “we are at a stage, whereby due to our impressive economic growth, our businesses are seeking new opportunities and avenues for expansion, beyond the Maltese shores,” and said that this is the potential which has been brought to Bulgaria for this State Visit.
She called for collaboration to take place across all levels of engagement – with large enterprises, as well as with small and medium-sized businesses, adding that these links will make a valuable contribution to the multi-level and mutual strengthening of both Malta and Bulgaria, “while also mutually strengthening our nations, and their respective geo-strategic positions as regional hubs.”
The President also urged the Bulgarian and Maltese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Burgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Gozo Business Chamber, and the Bulgarian and Maltese Business Chambers, the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency, and Trade Malta, to keep the momentum of this visit, and to continue exploring all their mutual potential, “as governments are only enablers.”
“There is no limit to what we can do and achieve together.”
President Coleiro Preca said that the presence of the Maltese and Bulgarian business communities in Sofia, for the Bulgarian-Maltese Business Forum, is evidence of the strong commitment and enthusiasm, which is felt by the business sectors, to collaborate.
Lastly the President encouraged all those present to keep up the “excellent momentum” which has been achieved during this visit, and to take the momentum to the next level.