An investment-promotion seminar was held at the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier this month to promote Malta’s business image in France.

This high-level meeting was organised by Josephine Vassallo of the Malta Enterprise office in Paris in conjunction with the Embassy of Malta in Paris, together with France’s three main trade and business institutions, MEDEF Paris, MEDEF International and the Paris Chamber itself.

The seminar, entitled “Malta, a European Business Centre in the Heart of the Mediterranean”, was co-chaired by the Chamber’s managing director for international relations Edmond Viviand and Ambassador Vicki Ann Cremona. Remy Robinet Duffo, President of MEDEF Paris, and Thierry Courtaigne, Vice-President and director general of MEDEF International also addressed the assembly.

Participating in the seminar were Philip Micallef, CEO Malta Enterprise, Mario P. Galea, managing partner, Ernst & Young, Santino Portera, Financial Director, ST Microelectronics, Jean Jacques Beaussou, former French Ambassador to Libya, Anthony Diacono, chairman MEDSERV Ltd, Robert Aquilina and Joseph Vassallo, respectively chairman and general manager of Salvo Grima Group and Dr George Cassar, chairman, Libyan Arab Maltese Holding Co. Ltd.

The 50-odd French companies currently targeted by Malta Enterprise listened to presentations by the Maltese delegates about the different opportunities for business and investment in Malta, highlighting Malta’s advantages and its attraction as a hub of business with countries in the North African region.

A number of company testimonials highlighting Maltese “success stories” and sharing experiences and know-how were also given. The afternoon was dedicated to individual ‘one-to-one’ meetings between French and Maltese companies, Malta Enterprise and the Embassy of Malta.