A major Chinese digital products company is interested in setting up a free trade zone in Malta to showcase its products in Europe, according to Sai Mizzi, the Malta Enterprise representative to Asia.

Speaking to Times of Malta, Ms Mizzi Liang that since October she had been working on numerous projects, including focusing on luring a top digital company to Malta.

The company, she said, was interested in establishing a free trade zone centre in Malta and officials of its top management would be visiting Malta in September.

“This company is looking to set up a showcase for all Chinese products in Malta so that European countries will not need to travel to China to see their goods but they can just go to Malta, which is on their doorstep,” she said.

Ms Mizzi Liang said she was also involved in facilitating talks between the government and Chinese bankers interested in investing in Malta – they will be flying to Malta in October for further talks.

She is also pushing to speed up the process of visa applications for Chinese tourists seeking to holiday in Malta, following numerous complaints about the delay compared to other EU member states.

“France will give you a visa within 48 hours, while Italy has it within four days. Malta is at the bottom of the list – it takes from 15 days to two months, which is quite long,” she said.

Ms Mizzi later this year is also expected to head a new Maltese consulate in Shanghai.

Ms Mizzi, the Energy Minister's wife, yesterday denied she is paid €13,000 monthly and defended her suitability for her job. More in Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.