MALTA AND THE UAE GROW CLOSER

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

The countries are forging stronger ties to promote travel, trade and investment

In September, Malta and the UAE announced their intention to strengthen their cooperation, highlighting trade, investment and the ght against economic crime as key areas of focus.

In February, the ministers of foreign a airs of both countries met and signed three memorandums of understanding, one of which set out plans to establish joint committees between the two nations. ese agreements marked the next step in a bilateral relationship of 44 years.

According to Christopher Fearne, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, “Malta has a lot of shared interests with the UAE”.

“We understand the challenges faced by small countries and we also share many cultural similarities. Additionally, both countries support public-private partnerships,” he told e Business Report.

“Malta’s government is very willing to cooperate, not just with the UAE government, but also with private enterprises and, vice versa. Maltese private enterprises are open to collaboration with the UAE and the businesses from the Gulf region.” Investing in Malta

Malta is working hard to woo Gulf business and investment, leveraging its position as a gateway to the European Union market.

“Investing in Malta brings access to the whole of the EU, and also to a wider region due to our country’s strategic location. We are close to the African continent, the MENA region and, by extension, to the Gulf via the shipping routes,” explains Fearne.

“Our advantageous geographical position is complemented by our English-speaking population, welleducated workforce, FDI incentives, solid regulatory framework, and excellent quality of life.”

Over the last seven years, the Maltese economy has doubled in size, growing from EUR7 billion (US$8.29 billion) to EUR14 billion ($16.58 billion). Its health industry, ranked amongst the world’s top 10 in 2018, is also booming on the back of sizeable investments in new hospitals, clinics, and cutting-edge technology, including robotics and arti cial intelligence. To enhance its visibility in the Gulf and get the message across that it’s “open for business”, Malta is participating in Expo 2020 Dubai.

“We want Malta to be perceived as a hardworking country with a well-educated workforce, diversi ed economy, and open for foreign direct investment,” says Fearne.

ABOVE: Malta is the gateway to the EU market Travel to Malta

On June 1, Malta welcomed back UAE visitors, o ering quarantine-free travel to the destination. In response, Emirates resumed its three-timesweekly service to Malta, via Larnaca in Cyprus, on July 14. e ights, which depart Dubai every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, are operated by a two-class Boeing 777-300ER, o ering 42 seats in business and 386 seats in economy. Emirates codeshares with ydubai and Air Malta, o ering access to the networks of both.

Emirates customers travelling to Malta aged ve and above must hold a negative COVID-19 test certi cate for a test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Malta. Passengers must also present a completed Passenger Locator Form (PLF) and a negative COVID-19 PCR test certi cate at check-in to be accepted for travel to Malta.

Fully vaccinated Maltese nationals or Malta residency permit holders may present a Maltese vaccination certi cate instead of a negative COVID-19 PCR test certi cate when returning to Malta. For more details on entry requirements to Malta, customers can check the travel requirements page on emirates.com.

As part of the Incentives for Free Independent Travellers (FIT) scheme launched by the Malta Tourism Authority to boost tourism, Emirates passengers visiting the Maltese Islands for a minimum of three nights can also enjoy discounted rates o ered by local hotels in Malta and earn up to EUR200 ($237) credit when booking directly when booking directly through them.

Etihad Airways also operates services to Malta, which at time of press, remained on Abu Dhabi’s green list of destinations.