The Malta Business Expo, an innovative, comprehensive and cost-effective guide to conducting business in Malta, was launched on Monday morning at the Chamber of Commerce, Valletta, by Chris Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business.

The project was conceived to address the need to showcase Maltese entrepreneurial acumen on the global marketplace, to create opportunities for the local and foreign business community and facilitate access to information about doing business in Malta, or with Malta.

Research showed, early on, that there was a consensus among local business leaders, about the need to join forces in a collective effort to project Malta more strategically and effectively on the international market.

The Malta Business Expo R&D team worked for over a year to create an expo experience which is as efficient as it is informative. The Malta Business Expo is an interactive platform containing a wealth of information about Malta and spotlights its position as a favourable investment regulatory framework, while bringing together all sectors of Maltese industry, enterprise, commerce and services. It was conceived to provide a national exposition to complement individual internationalisation efforts as well as Government investment promotion initiatives.

Via this innovative virtual expo concept, Maltese businesses can now benefit from a cost effective tool which opens up a whole new world of opportunities. And through a verified database of thousands of key decision makers across the world, will facilitate the process of finding new routes to the international market.

Exhibitors can set up their individual stands, and exhibit their company, products or services, just like in a physical expo, but at a fraction of the cost. Three convenient stand options provide features that will suit most individual needs and budgets, while a free listing for all businesses is available on registration.

Video streaming is available to hundreds of visitors simultaneously in full HD quality, from informative features about Malta to regular business reviews and reports. Exhibitors also have the option to upload their company or product video profile on their stand, together with image galleries, brochures and other material.

Through a proprietary smartphone and tablet app, every exhibitor is connected directly to the expo affording the convenience of a virtual presence while sitting at their desk or attending to their daily business as usual. The Malta Business Expo is manned 24/7 all year round, with live chat features and assistants available to answer questions and enquiries.  A host of direct links provides visitors with instant connectivity to exhibitors, government entities or representative organisations.

A sustained, comprehensive online marketing strategy is in place to target businesses and drive them to visit your stand at the Malta Business Expo. This ensures a constant flow of visitors and potential targeted leads to the portal, and your stands through the year. Every exhibitor will share a reciprocal Expo link on their own websites creating an exponential web of interlinking with all Expo participants. We estimate that once the Expo is populated it will gain a very high ranking in Google and other search engines which will drive more traffic to your stands.

22 professional representative bodies have already joined and endorsed the Malta Business Expo and others will be joining the Malta Business Expo shortly. These will be able to provide specialized sectorial advice and information to visitors, foreign businessmen as well as local enterprises. These include:

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry

The Malta Chamber of SMEs (or GRTU)

MCESD

Finance Malta

Malta Hotels & Restaurants Association

Malta Business Bureau

Malta Bankers Association

Malta Association of Credit Management

Malta Insurance Association

Malta Association of Risk Management

Malta Federation of Professional Associations

Institute of Journalists

Malta Employers Association

Malta Institute of Accountants

Chartered Institute of Marketing

Chamber of Engineers

Chamber of Advocates

Chamber of Architects & Civil Engineers

Malta Business Aviation Association

Malta Association of Women in Business

Local Councils Association

Koperattivi Malta

A dedicated Government Pavilion has already been set up with ample space for relevant authorities and government entities to have their own stands.

In addition to the virtual environment, The Malta Business Expo will be organizing regular business events which will also be promoted on the portal to all members and registered visitors. These will be streamed live via video conference link. This is expected to attract live participation by interested parties who will have the facility to interact with speakers, government representatives, and local businesses and can ask questions, make presentations or contribute to discussions in real time.

The Malta Business Expo is an innovative business tool that will serve as a permanent first point of contact for both local and foreign businesses to rapidly acquire information and direct communication with local businesses, professionals and industries they wish to do business with, quickly and cost effectively. It is a complete business solution which will boost Malta’s image and visibility at a professional level on the international business landscape. It will provide the Maltese business community with a unique tool which will empower them to engage in unprecedented opportunities on a global scale.

The broadest participation of the private sector, other representative organisations, and especially Government entities, is expected in order to grasp this new opportunity to showcase the nation as a whole, through the Malta Business Expo.

Karl Grech, Marketing Director, Malta Business Expo, said that Malta will be the first State in the European Union, to boast a national collective virtual business expo. He concluded by saying that he expected this project to evolve even further and increase Malta’s visibility, opening new opportunities for Maltese businesses and contributing significantly to economic growth.

Businesses interested in a free registration or one of the stand options on the Malta Business Expo are invited to visit www.maltabusinessexpo.com