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Business leaders from 11 Mediterranean Countries met in Malta over the last two days to discuss the promotion of a Mediterranean Free Trade Area and to strengthen the links with European business organizations.
The discussions were held as part of the General Assembly of the Union of Mediterranean Confederations of Enterprise (UMCE), a business organization based in Tunis and of which the Malta Federation of Industry (FOI), together with another 11 associations, is a founding member. Notwithstanding the fact that UMCE is still in its early years of existence, it has already taken on a key role in the building of a much needed environment for business to flourish in the Mediterranean Basin.
The Malta meeting was centered around the establishment of a way forward in UMCE’s quest to reach its primary objective, that of implementing a Mediterranean Free Trade Area, in line with the Barcelona Process.
At the end of the meeting, Mr Adrian Bajada, President of the FOI expressed his satisfaction that Malta was chosen to host this General Assembly, particularly now that Malta forms part of the European Union. ‘‘Our direct involvement in the founding of this Union was inspired by the strong belief that Malta’s new position within Europe would contribute to the Euro-Med objectives in a realistic way. Indeed the Malta Federation of Industry has understood the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean call and the need to create the best possible environment for economic integration and social and economic development in the region,’’ Mr. Bajada expressed. He continued to say that Malta always considered the Mediterranean as its natural home and that our deep and long-standing historical, cultural and commercial links have been conducive for this to materialise.
Mr Omer Sabanci, President of the UMCE and President of the Turkish Business Organisation TUSIAD, also expressed his satisfaction with the way the Malta meeting was conducted and on the important role that Malta plays to bridge the Southern Mediterranean to Europe. He also revealed that Mr Adrian Bajada, President of the FOI was chosen to become special coordinator of UMCE with the EU.
On the eve of the discussions, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Michael Frendo, addressed the delegates and expressed his enthusiasm that Malta was hosting the UMCE General Assembly. He said that commerce and trade were always instrumental in bringing people from different cultures, religions and social standings closer, and augured that UMCE would continue to work hard at achieving prosperity and stability in the Mediterranean region.
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