MaltaMedia.com

Maltese President George Abela on Thursday addressed the Qatari-Maltese business forum organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Malta Enterprise together with the Commerce and Industry Chamber of Qatar. In his speech President Abela mentioned that in spite of the distance between Malta and Qatar and the diversity in some aspects of their economies, the two countries are embarking on similar future paths of expansion and development and there are several areas where the two countries can benefit from each others’ experiences and work together.

He added that promising opportunities for direct foreign investment, joint ventures and transfer of technology in various sectors between the two countries have to be exploited and that External trade exchanges between them are much below their potential and can be enhanced further. “In this respect, the Free Trade Agreement being negotiated between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries can only serve to strengthen our trading relationship”, he said.

The Maltese President also mentioned the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Legal Field and the one relating to Sports saying that this will also continue to strengthen Malta-Qatar excellent bilateral relations.

He also mentioned that bilateral relations between Qatar and Malta strengthened on Thursday as Lufthansa Teknik Malta and Qatar Airways have signed a repair and maintanance agreement. Qatar Airways has more than 20 aeroplanes in its fleet. Maltese President George Abela described this as “definitely a milestone in economic cooperation between our two countries”.

Akbar Al Bakar, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways greeted warmly President Abela and expressed his satisfaction at his presence for signing of this important agreement. He added that Lufthansa Technik Malta offers an aviation maintenance facility of very high levels.

Mr Louis Giordimaina, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa Technik Malta said that he is also honoured by this agreement and President Abela’s presence.

President Abela is accompanied in Qatar by Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg.