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Maltese mission set to boost ties with Dubai

The event is being organised at The Fairmont Dubai by the newly set up Consulate of Malta with the support of the Malta External Trade Corporation's (METCO) Dubai office. METCO has established a permanent Malta Trade Centre in Dubai.

"The dinner will bring together a large number of Maltese community members based in the UAE and it will also serve as a networking evening for a number of Maltese businessmen active in the region," Anthony Tabone, Consul General and Commercial Counsellor of Malta in Dubai, said.

Mr Tabone, who has recently called on Prof Guido De Marco, President of Malta, told Khaleej Times that the president's special message recorded for the Maltese community in the UAE will be screened at the dinner.

He said that the dinner will be held under the patronage of the president, who is the patron of the fund, and the proceeds will go to the Malta Community Chest Fund, the main charity institution which then distributes to other smaller funds and to the needy individuals in Malta.

"The response to the dinner has been very positive," Mr Tabone said.

December launch

The Consulate of Malta, which opened its doors for business in Dubai to serve Dubai and the Northern Emirates, is expected to be officially launched in December this year.

Mr Tabone said that the decision to open the consulate in Dubai was based on a number of factors, including the strong economic ties that Dubai has with the Maltese companies and that a large number of Maltese citizens are residing in Dubai.

Dubai has become a very popular destination for the Maltese travelling to the region

The consul general explained that over the past year, a large number of Maltese have taken residence in Dubai with leading jobs in major organisations. There are more than 200 Maltese in Dubai, some 60 of them are working in Emirates airline. In addition, a number of Maltese frequent Dubai on regular basis either to attend to business or to leisurely enjoy a vacation.

"Many Maltese use Dubai as a stepping stone to other countries. Emirates airline flies three times a week directly. Logistic arrangements are important to keep the two close to each other. Emirates is doing that," he added.

"Politically speaking, Malta's relations with Dubai and Northern Emirates are excellent and we can only enhance our good working relations," Mr Tabone said. From the economic point of view, Malta took the decision to open the Malta Trade Centre to serve not only the UAE but also Gulf countries. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been extremely supportive to the Malta Trade Centre, to the Maltese companies and to the Maltese initiatives, MrTabone added.

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