The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 April, intended to bring the two organisations together, in a bid to promote business collaborations between the two countries.

The MoU was signed by Tonio Casapinta, vice president of the Malta Chamber and Said bin Saleh al Kiyoumi, chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The MoU was signed during a visit of a ministerial delegation to the Sultanate of Oman, led by Dr Chris Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business. Minister Cardona was also accompanied by a businessmen delegation, the first such delegation to the Sultanate of Oman. The visit to the Sultanate of Oman was organised by Malta Enterprise in close collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

During presentations held at OCCI, Mr Casapinta said that the Malta Chamber strived to promote collaboration on an international level, to create visibility for Malta in the region and through its Middle East Business Council has created mechanisms which supported business collaboration and investment. He said that the MoU signed between the Malta Chamber and the OCCI was a perfect example of the Malta Chamber's drive to promote such efforts in favour of Malta's internationalisation efforts.

The Maltese delegation had discussions with Omani government ministries, agencies and leading corporate organisations which showcased potential avenues for joint collaboration between the two countries.

Discussions on potential areas of cooperation included major maritime and logistics projects, aquaculture, education and financial services.

During the visit to Bank Muscat another MoU was signed, signalling a major thrust for Oman-Malta trade and investment co-operation. The MoU was signed between Malta Enterprise and Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in Oman, for the setting up of a Business Forum for SMEs.

Signatories to the agreement were Marika Tonna, chief Operating officer of Malta Enterprise and Ilham Al Hamiad, AGM - SME Credit, Marketing & Regional Corporates of Bank Muscat.

During a Malta Forum held at Bank Muscat, Minister Cardona stated that great potential exists in exploring the many avenues of co-operation in different sectors of the economies of Malta and Oman. "There is political commitment and willingness on both sides to enhance co-operation between the two countries, making it easier to achieve the set objectives. Malta and Oman can take advantage of the strategic geographical position they both occupy in their respective regions," Minister Cardona added.

Joe Mangion, Malta's Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman followed up the various contacts already established with the Omanis, especially on those following the visit to Malta last January of a high-level business delegation headed by the CEO of Bank Muscat.

All the participants in the delegation had various B2B meetings with Omani counterparts both at Bank Muscat and at the Omani Chamber.

It is envisaged that the contacts established will lead to enhanced cooperation between Malta and Oman and the business communities in both countries.