Malta and the UK have always enjoyed close business relationships. To further enrich these relationships, a thriving business community has been set up in London. This community, the Malta Business Network, aims to bring together professionals and industry executives with a common interest – Malta.
The MBN’s primary objective is to promote business and professional opportunities in, or connected with, Malta by re-enforcing and expanding the existing good relations between members of the business and professional communities in Malta and the UK.
The MBN was set up on an initiative of Joseph Zammit Tabona, Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK, following exploratory discussions with Christopher Jackson and Simon Galea. They went on to form a committee under Mr Zammit Tabona’s chairmanship. Another 11 members were elected to serve on the committee. Together, they represent a diverse selection of industries and sectors. Members hold business or professional roles and all have a strong connection to Malta either through their Maltese heritage or business interests.
“I am a firm believer in the power of networking, where a great deal of business is carried out as a result of one’s networking skills and the ability to link different professionals and individuals depending on the type of business they are in,” says Mr Zammit Tabona.
“The MBN facilitates networking between like-minded people during regular meetings, providing them with opportunities to meet, exchange ideas and make introductions. These meetings take place monthly and are held at the Malta High Commission every last Tuesday of the month from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.”
In addition to these monthly meetings, the MBN also organises breakfast or luncheon seminars.
“For these events, we invite professionals to talk to our members and guests about subjects of interest to the business community. I believe that it is through such exposure that I have generated awareness about Malta and placed this jurisdiction firmly on the radar of the London business community, especially among financial services. It is difficult to quantify these business relationships – in certain instances you may see the fruits of a discussion almost immediately, whereas with other situations, it materialises over a longer period.”
The MBN has seen an increase in the number of guests and contacts attending its monthly meetings.
“Together with the members of the MBN, I constantly encourage both our guests and new contacts to visit Malta,” says Mr Zammit Tabona. “I typically ask them to give me 36 hours of their time for which I prepare an itinerary which would also include contact with relevant businesses in Malta. Once someone has decided to visit Malta, then it is almost a foregone conclusion that they will carry out some form of economic activity through the islands.”
MBN communities are being set up for certain industries that are of particular interest to Malta. These include property and development, shipping, financial services, hospitality, media, film, aviation, technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
These communities will function as a platform for professionals and business executives from the same sector to come together, hold discussions and organise events focused on special interests to that community.
Any individual can become a member provided they have demonstrated to the committee a genuine interest in furthering the MBN objectives, have completed the necessary application form, paid the membership fee and had their application approved by the committee. Membership is also open to professionals and business executives outside the UK but want to be connected to this community.
The MBN board is currently discussing the possibility of setting up a branch in Malta.
“Details are still being finalised but we are excited about this opportunity, as we see this as an extension of our network here in UK,” says Mr Zammit Tabona. “It is my belief that that there is an opening for overseas people working in Malta to network and meet Maltese business people and professionals within their particular economic activity. We are hopeful in setting this up within the next few months. The Malta branch would meet monthly and organise similar events. Members of both the UK and the Malta branch would use the same website and this will provide them with a platform to tap into a wide international network. We already have a number of Maltese MBN members here in London, and this will provide them with an opportunity to meet more regularly in Malta.”
For more information contact the MBN at info@maltabusinessnetwork.com or visit www.maltabusinessnetwork.com.