Malta Motorways of the Sea and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry have renewed their partnership agreement, extending a long-standing collaboration between the two organisations. The signing, which took place on 11 July, renewed a collaboration agreement which has been ongoing since 2006.

Malta Chamber president Frank V. Farrugia thanked Dr Eugenio Grimaldi of Grimaldi Lines and Ernest Sullivan of Malta Motorways of the Sea for their long-standing support to the Malta Chamber and the rest of the Maltese business community.

Addressing those present, Farrugia said that the maritime sector in Malta has always played a very important role. "Being an island in the middle of the Mediterranean, our country has historically needed reliable and efficient links to the mainland. This dependence on such maritime connectivity is only compounded with the development of the country's economy which as you know is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth."

The president noted that apart from the financial support, the partnership also provided the Chamber with the experience and expertise of a renowned international operator of the field. This wealth of knowledge, in turn placed the Chamber in the best position possible to carry out its representation duties in the field.

Addressing those present, Dr Grimaldi congratulated the Chamber for its work in favour of Malta's business community.

Dr Grimaldi spoke about the investment the company was carrying out in a new fleet of ships that would allow it to provide a better service and better connectivity between Malta and the mainland. This was in keeping with the improved track-record the company was registering in maritime transport of cars, rolling cargo, containers and passengers to and from Malta.

Congratulating the Chamber for its 170th anniversary, Dr Grimaldi also confirmed his participation during a national conference on family businesses which is going to be organised by the Chamber in October.

The agreement was signed by Malta Chamber president Frank V. Farrugia and Grimaldi Lines director Dr Eugenio Grimaldi in the presence of Kevin J. Borg, Ernest Sullivan, Karl Sullivan and Manuel Portelli.