Maltese businesses operating in the construction and construction materials industry are being invited to participate in the European “Construction Materials” Trade Mission to Japan which will be taking place between 16 and 20 April 2007, as part of the “EU Gateway to Japan” initiative.

The call is open for all those local firms which provide materials for building which are of outstanding universal design and high quality and aim at improving safety, comfort, convenience and cosiness of the living-environment.

These include construction materials such as building and housing materials, interior and exterior finishing materials made of glass, metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, stone, recycling material, ecological material and others.

The invitation stretches to housing and building equipment: including tiles, walls, floors, windows, ceilings, roofs, doors, baths, bathrooms, kitchens.

Also, those providing housing and building systems: including electronics systems, gas systems, solar systems, home automation systems, home security systems were encouraged.

The “EU Gateway to Japan” is an export promotion programme managed and funded by the European Commission. The programme assists small and medium sized EU companies in their efforts to export to Japan. It particularly targets companies that are newcomers to the Japanese market and those that have experienced difficulties in entering the Japanese market.

The campaign offers local companies immediate as well as long-term benefits, such as the assistance and preparation in Europe, activities and support in Japan, Campaign marketing services, as well as facilitation services and financial support.

The third edition of Gateway to Japan covering the period 2002 – 2006, has been extended for 16 months. EU Gateway to Japan 3 Plus will take place from April 2006 until June 2007.

For more details contact Malta’s National Coordinator Edgar Chircop at the Malta Chamber of Commerce & Enterprise on 21 233 873 or e-mail at [email protected].