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“The challenge Malta is facing is to increase and diversify its exports. New products must be added to the export portfolio, while fresh markets must be continuously sought and developed. The continued growth of the Maltese economy depends on export success, whether in manufacturing or in services. Where does Germany fit in all this? In 2003, the total amount of goods exported from Germany to Malta and from Malta to Germany was of 542 million Euros. And this is just for products. What about the number of German tourists who visit Malta every year?”
German-Maltese Chamber of Commerce President Henry J. Borg said this during the 14th Meeting of Malta's Honorary Consuls and Consuls General held recently at the Hotel Königshof in Munich and was hosted by Mr. Bernhard Müller-Menrad, Hon. Consul for Malta in the Bavarian capital. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Mr. William Spiteri, Malta's Ambassador in Berlin.
Mr. Borg thanked Ambassador Spiteri for the invitation to address the meeting as this was the first time since the GMCC was set up that he was invited to speak to the Consuls who represent Malta in Germany. He added that he is very impressed with the fact that Malta‚s diplomatic presence in Germany is a very structured one, with the Embassy in Berlin acting as a main office and other eight Honorary Consuls/Consuls General scattered over Germany, thus making Malta’s representation very professional and business-like as possible.
The GMCC President, in his speech, displayed the way the GMCC has been operating since its inception 16 months ago, including the Deutscher Industrie-und Handelskammertag (DIHK) The German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce’s acceptance to assist the GMCC in these very important formative years through its Auslandshandelskammern (AHK) The German Chambers of Commerce Abroad and especially with the direct assistance of the Italian-German Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Borg concluded his speech by saying that there are a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurs from both countries to make business. “Wherever you feel that there is an opportunity, we at the GMCC are the people to speak to. We have the contacts, expertise and above all the energy and motivation to make things happen. Let us enhance German-Maltese business.”
At the end of his speech, Mr. Borg presented Ambassador Spiteri with an Honorary Membership of the GMCC, as a sign of gratitude for his cooperation and hard work whenever the GMCC referred to the Maltese Embassy in Berlin for contacts, information, collaboration and support. |
