FDI a top priority for Michael Refalo

There was a specific reason for Dr Michael Refalo to launch Volume 2 of the My Century (Rajt Malta Tinbidel) series at Din L-Art Helwa last Thursday. As 2005 coincides with the 40th anniversary of DLH's foundation, Dr Refalo is donating a part of the royalties from sales of all books in the series to DLH.

"I have always found Herbert Ganado's magnum opus highly instructive and very entertaining reading," he told The Sunday Times last week. "It is an insider's view of what went on, often behind closed doors, as well as in the squares and streets of 20th century Malta.

"Ganado has a very particular style and my greatest challenge has been to express the author's opinion and his way of writing in another language. Ganado grows on you. What was initially a major challenge has become a pleasant and most enjoyable therapy."

Looking ahead to his new appointment as Malta's High Commissioner in London (succeeding another former minister, Dr George Bonello Du Puis), Dr Refalo said his top priority will be to channel more foreign direct investment (FDI) towards Malta.

"Given the excellence of diplomatic relations, the long and enduring bonds of friendship between our peoples, over two centuries of close historical and social links, our strategic location, frequency and ease of communications, a good work ethic and what I consider our main attraction, knowledge of English, one wonders why FDI from the UK does not reflect these other tangible realities," he observed.

In preparation for his posting Dr Refalo said he held an intensive programme of meetings to acquaint and update himself better on the latest in all aspects of Malta's offer in the economic and financial fields. These have included sessions with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Foreign Minister Michael Frendo to discuss the main thrust of his mission.

He has been briefed by Central Bank Governor Michael Bonello, Investments Minister Austin Gatt, Parliamentary Secretary Tonio Fenech, Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise chairman Louis Apap Bologna, Malta Financial Services Authority chairman Professor Joe Bannister, Joe Zammit Tabona and top Malta Enterprise executives, and Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone.

By the time he leaves to take up his posting early next month, he plans to meet other decision-makers, and government and public sector representatives to be briefed on the subject. "In the meantime several individuals and companies have asked me to help them," he said.

"The mission is no cake walk. I am looking forward to the challenge, very aware that ceremonials are only a small aspect of a high commissioner's role. The mission calls for a good ear and much networking.

"Despite its prestige, I would not have been really interested had the post meant a prolonged vacation, away from our children and grandchildren, family friends and the ambience we are used to. The upheaval of moving house so late in life is enough to put one off.

"I have studied the Foreign Office brief and not come across anything that could be classified as a problem."

Dr Refalo said he is looking forward to what he termed "the start of this new chapter in my life. Old campaigners never take their boots off." Although he had known for some time that his name was mentioned in connection with the London post, he said he was "delighted, and indeed flattered" when Foreign Minister Michael Frendo went to his home and personally conveyed Government's formal invitation.

"We discussed the work involved and my wife and I accepted subject to my doctors giving the green light - I have only recently undergone major surgery - and that Foreign Affairs would provide sufficient back-up to make my London stint a profitable opportunity for Malta.

"Dr Frendo's assurances were immediate and some weeks later I was able to tell him that I had been given the all-clear. London is an important post in the diplomatic world and particularly so for Malta. The challenge is huge and judging by the extensive shopping list and policies I have been asked to help drive, daunting.

"I face the future with great enthusiasm but also much apprehension and hope to match the expectations of the many well-wishers, friends and acquaintances, who wrote or phoned to congratulate us."

Asked about how he intends to improve relations between Malta and Britain, Dr Refalo said it was difficult to envisage how they could actually be strengthened since they are already very strong. "At government level relations are optimal. The best way to go about it is to grasp and even create opportunities, and explain to a larger audience, the UK public, in all spheres of business and social life, what Malta is, what we stand for and what Malta offers investors, businessmen, academics, the culturally minded and leisure seekers."

As a former Tourism Minister and current chairman of the World Tourism Organisation Task Force on Destination Management, he intends to have a particular focus on promoting greater tourism links at all levels. "The volume of UK visitors is important but success in tourism should not be gauged solely from such a narrow perspective.

"Per capita spend, total income, diversification by nationality and interest, employment opportunities, length of stay and an improved visitor profile are equally, if not more, important. Facile number-crunching of arrival volume can be very deceptive.

"During my meeting with Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and in conversation with Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono we discussed ways to improve tourism flow to Malta and Gozo. MTA chairman Chris Grech has updated me on current policies vis-à-vis the British market.

"Tourism is Malta's largest earner of foreign exchange and one of our major employers, and I will certainly lend a hand. But not exclusively. I believe that the High Commission should be actively present whenever and wherever assistance and facilitation is required. Moreover we should chase and grasp every opportunity that could possibly be of benefit to Malta.

"The Prime Minister and Dr Frendo have urged me to retain the chairmanship of the WTO Task Force on Destination Management and on March 12, en route to London, I will chair a WTO meeting in Berlin."

Part of Dr Refalo's brief is to provide 'local' back-up for Maltese in the UK. "There are 18 agreements between Malta and the UK," he recalled. "The first on National Insurance matters was signed in March 1958 and the last, a Memorandum on Road Transport, in July 2003.

"All agreements are in operation, including the 1975 Health Care Convention. My reading is that the progressive decrease in the number of patients referred for medical treatment in the UK corresponds with the higher level achieved by the Maltese medical profession, surgeons, physicians and specialists, technical advances and better equipment of Malta's hospitals.

"I am told that in recent years the majority of cardiac cases that required surgery, previously referred to UK hospitals, has mainly been dealt with locally. The Foreign Office brief does not propose any changes nor does it signal any cause for alarm."

Dr Refalo intends to work with the Maltese associations in London and all over Britain, and the numerous Maltese communities in the UK. "I can only build on my predecessors' good work," he said. "From what I hear Maltese associations are very close to the High Commission, a clear sign that our diplomats have forged an excellent rapport with Maltese and persons of Maltese descent resident in the UK.

"There are however other ways in which the High Commission can be of service to Maltese in the UK and how they can help Malta. I have a few ideas I wish to try but before going public I must first sound out what Maltese associations have to say."

Looking ahead to his appointment, Dr Refalo said he sees it as "a switch from the micro to the macro. Politics gives one a more accurate insight into human behaviour and situations.

"In whatever I have done or been asked to do, despite my hands-on approach, I have always intentionally given the impression of being rather laid back. At decision time one's best tool is an intimate, in depth knowledge of the subject, the issues and circumstances involved."

His general aim is "to give my best for Malta". In terms of more specific objectives, he said he has a meeting scheduled with Dr Frendo in which he will be updated on Government's main foreign policy objectives with particular reference to the United Kingdom, the EU and other related issues.

In preparation for CHOGM (the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting), being held in Malta later this year, Dr Refalo said Ambassador Salv. Stellini, who leads CHOGM's administrative and diplomatic team from Malta, has been most helpful.

"The Malta High Commission plays a pivotal role," he said. "I have attended meetings with the British Government's advance party, had a good look at reports of meetings and documentation relating to prior consultations (and) I have also met the UK representatives in connection with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's State visit.

"Coincidentally, my first official engagement in London will be on Commonwealth Day, when I expect to meet many of my Common-wealth colleagues."

Dr Refalo said he is currently a quarter of the way through the first draft of the third volume in the My Century series, which covers the first half of Ganado's second book. Although he conceded that the series must now take second place, he is still confident that My Century Volume 3 will be on the bookshelves in summer.