Malta Enterprise and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry recently led a business delegation of some 30 participants to Austria to attend the Malta Business Forum organised by the Embassy of Malta in Vienna together with the WKO (Wirtschaftskammer) the Vienna Chamber of Commerce.
The event was most successful in that it attracted the participation of around 100 Austrian business people who attended the presentations by keynote speakers Dr Paulus Stuller of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Christopher Grima, Dr Michael Berger of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce for Italy and Malta, Ms Helga Ellul, president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry, Alan Camilleri, executive chairman of Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks Ltd, Dr Bernice Buttigieg from Finance Malta and Karin Zipperer of Vienna International Airport and chairman of Malta International Airport, which supported the event.
Ms Zipperer was invited to address the forum to give an overview of the privatisation process that took place in 2002, when Vienna International Airport became involved in Malta International Airport plc.
This case of privatisation has been used as a role model for privatisation procedures and presented evident advantages for the Maltese government. On the other hand, MIA is of significant importance to Vienna International Airport because of its high potential, clear structured aviation policies and commitment to the EU.
The strategic objectives of Vienna International Airport, moreover, are proving successful, particularly in the market research and analysis that is conducive to MIA’s proactive approach to attract more airlines and therefore help the tourism industry, as well as the direct relationship with its airline clientele and its close cooperation with other stakeholders, particularly the Malta Tourism Authority. Equally, the MIA’s strategic objectives, which underscore diversification in revenues, have also proved fruitful. This year, MIA has seen the development of and considerable increase in its retail business as a result of its expansion project that has maximised available space and, moreover, will eventually materialise its land development with the Business Centre by Sky Parks Develop-ment Ltd (an MIA subsidiary), the development of the cargo area and the Cruise & Fly concept which should follow suit.
Ms Zipperer also gave details regarding the performance after privatisation, where passenger movements have increased by 17 per cent since 2002, whereas the turnover since privatisation has increased by 45.5 per cent. This, she said, “shows that the company is led by a modern and efficient management with a strong commercial focus that is successfully implementing its privatisation targets”.