Every two years, the honorary consuls forming part of Malta’s extensive network come together to touch base and receive guidance on the various aspects of their work.
Not to be confused with our ambassadors or consulates around the world, the honorary consuls are high net worth individuals who have been identified over the years in order to provide consular support to Maltese citizens. Their role provides a practical multiplier effect to small states such as ours in that it allows for a friendly interlocutor to be representing Malta in as many cities as necessary.
These individuals provide an invaluable service to Malta at no cost, hence, honorary. They have been crucial in many a difficult consular case and provided Maltese nationals with a friendly face when most in need.
We are indeed grateful to their service and have every intention of strengthening our relations with our network in order to explore additional avenuesof cooperation.
This, in essence, is the reason why every two years the Ministry for Foreign Affairs hosts our honorary consuls in Malta, bringing them together in order to exchange views, share experiences and learn about the direction in which the country is being steered.
This week, I will be welcoming over 100 members of our honorary consuls’ network. The timing at the beginning of a new Administration and new legislature is particularly opportune. The agenda will reflect the priorities of a new government and, in keeping with our way of doing business, will be centred on listening and receiving feedback from our contacts on the ground.
The theme for the meeting is Enhancing Malta’s International And Economic Profile.
This reflects the very nature of the work of my ministry in ensuring that the diplomatic networks that we have at our disposal are actually encouraged to work towards Malta’s standing on an international level while seeking to contribute to its economic success.
Honorary consuls provide an invaluable service to Malta at no cost
The setting of the meeting as well as the agenda reflects just this. Smart City Malta and the Valletta campus of the University of Malta have been chosen as locations for the meeting. This is no coincidence: it has been done with a specific aim in mind.
Smart City represents the progress Malta has achieved in the ICT sector, an area this government will build upon ensuring its further development. This will be the central theme of the first day of proceedings. Malta’s economic direction: what is our vision for Malta and where are we headed? The ICT sector will be discussed alongside our maritime and aviation sectors as well as the financial sector.
The honorary consuls will be given the opportunity to work in groups and discuss the issues falling under each heading.
The aim is simple: the experience and acumen that these individuals can bring to the table is unique and important to our understanding of the international setting.
Day 2 will take us to the University campus in Valletta. The theme will be centred around education, culture and tourism – new markets, new export opportunities and niche areas for Malta.
Naturally, Valletta 18 will take centre stage on this day starting the process for our honorary consuls to come on board the V18 project. They will be asked to provide the all-important link to the world to export the V18 vision of Malta. This together with our educational system which is fast becoming an important export for Malta.
We all recognise that these are difficult times for the global economy. Now like never before, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ role is crucial to facilitate contacts and create the right opportunities for our honorary consuls to further their reach and work together in order to seek out new opportunities for Malta.
This is what I wish for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs: to create the necessary contacts and to make our networks available for our agencies and businesses in order to explore different avenues and opportunities.
George Vella is Minister for Foreign Affairs.