The Arab News, which calls itself the leading English language daily in the Middle East, has carried a long feature on Malta and its efforts to attract business, investment and tourism from Saudi Arabia.

It was penned by Michel Cousins who spoke to the outgoing Maltese ambassador to the Kingdom, Godwin Montanaro.

Mr Cousins says Malta remains largely unknown to most Arabs, apart from the Tunisians and the Libyans.

"Explaining Malta's story to Saudis and to many expats in the Kingdom is not easy. It raises eyebrows, even creates incredulity. Tell them that the staunchly Catholic Mediterranean island was once fully Arab and Muslim (in contrast to Arab Spain, or Andalusia, where the large section of the population remained Christian and non-Arabic speaking) and there is amazement. Tell them that the Maltese still speak a form of Arabic and it turns to disbelief. The idea of an island of Catholic Arabs, as Malta has sometimes been called, is a concept too far," he wrote.

He points to elements of Arab influence which still exist in Malta, including some words and place names and terraced farmland, and adds that an added attraction is that all Maltese speak English and Malta has a thriving English language industry.

It also has meets almost all tastes for tourism.

"Will that be enough to pull Saudi money? That remains to be seen - although, in one way, Saudi Arabia already makes a great deal of money there, all its money; Malta is where Saudi banknotes are printed. Saudi money to Malta would therefore be something of a homecoming," the newspaper says.

"Not the only homecoming. If today Malta is wholly unknown to most Saudis, there is every reason why it should attract Saudis, whether for business or pleasure.Those Arab ties beckon. Language and history can be a strong bond."

http://www.arabnews.com/services/print/print.asp?artid=119517&d=23&m=2&y