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“There is no doubt that our country is doing well. However, no summer is eternal, and this basic economic truth weighs us with a responsibility we cannot shrug off.” – Hugh Arrigo, Vice President Mr Arrigo explains that competitiveness refers to the ability of a country to produce a good or service that is better or more attractive than that offered by another country. “In order to achieve this, we must be able to produce something of higher quality or better price than others, and for this to materialise, we must first attract investment from Maltese or foreign entities, from entrepreneurs and from the private sector. To do so, we must ensure that all the factors that influence investment decisions in the country are right.” Echoing position papers released by the Chamber over the past years, he also shares his concern over the issue of lack of human resources, “both in terms of quality as well as quantity,” to keep up with the demand being generated by economic growth. “My appeal is to take heed of the results achieved by our country and act in order to continue reaping the opportunities of the times and guarantee a prosperous future for Malta’s economy,” he concludes. Frank V. Farrugia – Vice President Frank V. Farrugia is the owner and Managing Director of Alphacom Int. Services Co Ltd, a company specialising in the supply of textiles, industrial sewing machines and all related equipment, as well as Alcom Enterprises Co Ltd, which specialises in the supply of professional tools and other equipment. He joined the Malta Chamber in 1976 and has since held various posts, most notably President between 2017 and 2019. On the subject of internationalisation – the process of elevating a good or service JUNE/JULY 2019
to the international sphere – he says that it is a “principal element in the Chamber’s vision to support its members’ growth”. Due to Malta’s limitations determined by its small size, Mr Farrugia explains that businesses quickly realise they must look beyond Malta’s shores to foster growth. “Within this context, our Chamber is only too happy to provide initiatives and events to help them reach their internationalisation goals,” he explains. He discusses the Chamber’s initiatives in helping local businesses gain a footpath in foreign markets, especially those that provide “tangible economic growth to members”. Central to the process of fostering international trade cooperation, Mr Farrugia points towards the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which the Malta Chamber runs as part of the local consortium together with Malta Enterprise, MCST and the Malta Business Bureau. EEN is the world's largest support network for SMEs with 3,000 experts across 600 member-organisations in more than 60 countries. “Through EEN, over the span of the last two years, the Malta Chamber organised no less than 18 brokerage events. Through these events, over 320 companies had more than 1,351 pre-scheduled business-to-business meetings with potential partners. It also provides advisory support to companies that wish to become internationalisation-ready,” Mr Farrugia says. “Internationalisation remains a central part of business support at the Chamber. This places the Chamber at an optimal position, to help Maltese businesses look beyond our shores and grow internationally,” he concludes.
Liz Barbaro Sant – Officer Liz Barbaro Sant has had a long career as Company Director of Alberta, a fire safety and security business. She also serves as a Council Member of the Maltese Libyan Chamber of Commerce. Ms Barbaro Sant takes on the popular yet contentious topic of tourism and related services. The growth in tourism that Malta is currently experiencing is bearing fruit for several stakeholders that service the industry, however it is also presenting an unprecedented set of challenges. “Today this industry accounts directly to close to one quarter of our Gross Domestic Product. It is a sector that brings both prosperity and challenges, one of the latter being its undeniable impact on the environment and society,” she comments. Malta’s increasing population is in fact causing its already limited natural resources to come under strain. Ms Barbaro Sant highlights rising “environmental consciousness among consumers,” adding that “we must strike a balance between a tourism product that is worthwhile and sustainable for businesses, as well as a well-protected natural habitat and historical heritage.”
“Internationalisation remains a central part of business support at the Chamber. This places the Chamber at an optimal position, to help Maltese businesses look beyond our shores and grow internationally.” – Frank V. Farrugia, Vice President 33