Enhancing Regional Networks in the Euro-Med Regions
In 2011, the preparatory work was completed for the creation of a regional Chamber network in the Euro-Med Region. This project is supported by FIMBank plc and the Malta Business Bureau. The Malta Chamber has so far established nodes in Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Slovak Republic, Luxembourg and Belgium with more planned in Italy and the UK. Concrete links were established throughout the past twelve months with the above countries.
It is also worthy to note that, as part of this project, the Malta Chamber has renewed its active participation in ASCAME – the network of Mediterranean Chambers in which each country is represented by a regional Chamber.
As part of this project, Malta Chamber representatives have strengthened relations with foreign chambers through planned visits. The aim of these visits to regional chambers abroad is to start and maintain active working relationships, particularly in encouraging foreign trade and business internationalisation. It also aims to promote an exchange of information, experiences and practices regarding both institutions as well as the companies they represent. The initiative also strives to enable commercial interchange and cooperation between companies of both countries, including the organisation of trade missions and exhibitions.
Building on these agreements is the next step forward for the Malta Chamber’s Internationalisation Desk. By fostering strong and active relations with regional chambers abroad, the Malta Chamber will be in a better position to provide value-added internationalisation services, with a particular focus on sectoral co-operation initiatives and advice provision. At the same time, the Malta Chamber is promoting the opportunities available in our country, with a view to enhance the chances of internationalisation for local companies through foreign partnerships.
For further information on this project, please contact the Internationalisation Desk on email: klaus.pedersen@maltachamber.org.mt
Franchise Project
Persistent discussions and submission of a detailed business plan to Malta Enterprise for a national effort to be made in the field of internationalisation of franchise led to the launch of this project. Malta Enterprise managed to secure an agreement with the Commonwealth, whereby the latter would fund a project to uncover the potential for internationalisation of franchise in Malta. This Commonwealth funded project will, in fact, bring international expertise in the area to Malta and create a resource for Maltese companies to exploit, when they consider internationalising their franchise. The project was launched to the press in a joint media conference called by ME, the Malta Chamber and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Chamber's Internationalisation Desk will play a central role in this project ensuring that the benefits continue to be available and disseminated to the business community.
This project was promoted by the Internationalisation Desk in line with the third strand (Service Projects) of business plan. The Internationalisation Desk has long acknowledged that many local entrepreneurs have developed a very successful local business model. Some have indeed created their own unique selling propositions. The project is aimed at encouraging these businesses to template their successful models in nearby places within the Single Market or beyond. This is, after all, of the reasons why the individual organisations that formed the merger were so staunchly committed to Malta's membership of the European Union. To this end, the Desk has been registering and interviewing companies in the franchise sector, to uncover the potential for this sector and the Chamber finalised a detailed plan for how such a project could be undertaken.