President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca addressed the 2nd Tunisia-Malta Business Forum, organised at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. This was the second forum held in a recent months, following the one which was held in Tunisia during President Coleiro Preca’s state visit.
The President said that the presence of a Tunisian trade delegation in Malta is evidence of the importance “that both of our governments are placing on the development of our excellent diplomatic and political relations, into stronger socio-economic collaborations, and also, to encourage the friendship that already exists between our two peoples”.
“As two countries with a strong Mediterranean heritage, Malta and Tunisia have so much that links us together as two nations”
President Coleiro Preca said that both Malta and Tunisia share rich histories that tell of the influence from diverse cultures and civilisations which have left their mark upon both countries and the Mediterranean region. In light of this, the President said that there is much scope for sustainable collaboration, as both countries bring much meaningful advantages for each other.
For example, Malta is a member of the European Union, and a gateway to a huge market of five hundred million Europeans. Tunisia, on the other hand, like Malta, is an active voice in the Union for the Mediterranean, and a strong participant in the Western Mediterranean Forum, known as the 5+5.
“I am therefore confident that our respective geo-strategic positions can be positively explored, to enhance further socio-economic opportunities together, to further expand collaboration and partnerships, between our countries and our business communities, and other stakeholders in the region”, said the President.
“We have great opportunities together, to expand and extend our markets”
The President said that Malta and Tunisia are “definitely not competitors”, but rather, they are ideal collaborators working towards the same goals of sustainable development and inclusive prosperity.
She also said that a number of encouraging factors have already created the right environment to facilitate such processes of partnership, such as the Memorandum of Understanding in the area of Cooperation on Employment and Vocational Training, and the Memorandum of Understanding in the area of Tourism, which were signed during her state visit to Tunisia last year.
Furthermore, during the Business Forum which is currently being held in Malta, two further Memoranda of Understanding will be signed between the Tunisian Union of Liberal Professions and the Malta Federation of Professional Associations, and between the Tunisian General Union of Veterinarians and the Malta Veterinary Association respectively.
“Such examples of the closeness between our respective communities in diverse sectors of interest gives me great hope and confidence for the future development of mutual contacts to harness collaboration, cooperation, and partnership, in other significant areas”, President Coleiro Preca said.
“I encourage you to endeavour to grow and prosper together”
Whilst commending the Maltese and Tunisian Chambers of Commerce for their initiatives and activities, the President expressed her hope that “Maltese investment will reach further into Tunisia, to help in the creation of job opportunities for Tunisia’s young generation”.
“We want Tunisia to flourish, and to continue to be a model for other North African countries”, she continued.
The President then encouraged the Maltese and Tunisian trade delegations present for the business forum to continue to endeavour to grow and prosper together, for the sake of their businesses, but also for the benefit of the peoples of Malta and Tunisia, especially “for both of our young generations”. Furthermore, she added that it is essential for any potential collaborations to include the participation and the engagement of larger enterprises, but should also occur between small and medium-sized businesses.
“These links will make a valuable contribution to the multi-level and mutual strengthening of our nations, and our respective geo-strategic positions, as points of contact in the Mediterranean Region”, said the President.
“I believe that there is no limit to what we can achieve together”
The President affirmed that the geo-strategic potential of Malta and Tunisia is immense due to the countries’ shared presence in the Mediterranean Region, adding that the excellent momentum of both countries has to be sustained and built upon.
Once again, President Coleiro Preca reiterated the importance of establishing a Joint Commission between the governments of Malta and Tunisia for the ultimate benefit of the peoples of both countries, saying that by meeting regularly through such a Joint Commission, “our respective authorities and business communities shall continue to explore further socio-economic opportunities between our countries”.
“Let us always remember that governments are enablers and facilitators. Both our governments have the essential political will, to develop the necessary environment for businesses to flourish. Therefore, the door is open for you to take our connections to the next level”, concluded the President.