Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1217991
05.03.2020 2 NEWS DIPLOMATIC and trade relations be- tween Malta and Ghana were strength- ened through a trade mission led by Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Silvio Schembri in Ghana, with the participation of 27 Mal- tese companies and local institutions, including Malta Enterprise, MCAST and the University of Malta. e aim of this trade mission sustains the government's internationalisation strategy to assist Maltese companies in expanding to outer shores and exploring other continents besides Europe, with Ghana as the main point of entry into the West African region. During the second Ghana-Malta Busi- ness Forum held in Accra and organised by TradeMalta, Schembri said that Mal- ta has placed Ghana at the top of its list for new efforts to develop further trade with the African continent. is decision is central within the Mal- ta-Africa 2020-2025 Partnership Strate- gy, launched earlier by this government with the aim of creating trade opportu- nities for both countries, whilst bringing its people closer together. e cooperation and collaboration between Ghana and Malta was sealed by the signing of five Memorandum of Understandings presided by Schembri together with Ghanaian Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen. "is is a great achievement which is a testimonial of the strong relationship between the two nations as natural part- ners in enhancing the development of both countries. Geography may define us, history brings us closer, our philos- ophy unites us," Schembri said. "Besides the help that is being provid- ed as a government for local companies to expand their operations in African markets through this trade mission, the signing of these five MOUs signal Mal- ta's will to develop trade with Ghana. I reiterate my government's commit- ment to enhancing the exportation of high-quality Maltese products and ser- vices, as well as to working closely with Ghanaian authorities, to help them at- tract new foreign investment together with Malta-based companies and au- thorities." Schembri discussed the possibility of an education and entrepreneurship programme for irregular Ghanaian mi- grants in Malta, whereby, after following this programme, these persons would return to Ghana lawfully and be in a bet- ter position to start new economic activ- ity in their homeland. is would give Ghana nationals a new opportunity for a better future and, at the same, helping the country to gener- ate more economic activity through new business start-ups and trade. e Ghanaian Minister responsible for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, described these meetings as very pos- itive, and said that the strategic part- nership with Malta should see Malta as Ghana's gateway to Europe, and likewise Ghana as a gateway for Malta to Africa. Highlighting the trust and friendship developed between the two nations, Kyerematen described the excellent dip- lomatic relations Ghana has with Malta. "Malta has a strategic location to help Ghana, now part of the African Free Trade Area, to reach Europe," he added. Schembri lead other bilateral meetings with Minister for Aviation Kofi Adda and Minister for Business Development Ibrahim Mohammed Awal. e poten- tial for joint projects in various sectors was at the top of the agenda, with the government of Ghana discussing impor- tant areas of trade in line with its strate- gy for further economic growth. On the other hand, Malta is willing to help Malta-based companies offer their products and services in key projects in Ghana, whilst also possibly acting as an export gateway to the European and American markets. Both parties discussed the enhancing of international connectivity to Ghana via a new route operated directly from Malta by Air Malta. Minister Schem- bri said that such an initiative is key to boosting trade between Ghana and the rest of the European Union. Howev- er, this requires significant investment which requires cooperation from both countries. Five MOUs signed e first of the five Memorandum of Understandings was signed between Malta Enterprise and Impact Hub Accra, a leading social entrepreneurship and in- novation centre in Ghana leading inclu- sive growth of start-ups through various incubator and accelerator programs. is MOU will pave the way for an ex- change programme of start-ups and en- trepreneurs from both parties. Collabo- ration shall take place in these potential sectors; healthcare, food technologies, aviation, creative economies and light industry. e aim of the programme is to recognise and support entrepreneur- ial activities of mutual interest and help them become opportunities for both countries. Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia said that Malta is providing a gateway of opportunities to start-ups, entrepre- neurs and new talent to develop ideas and grow in the Euro Med region, form- ing an ideal hub in Malta. "Signing an MOU with Impact Hub Accra is only the beginning of a collab- oration that would see concrete invest- ment moving from Europe to Africa and vice-versa," he said. Another Memorandum of Under- standing was signed between the Mal- ta Medicines Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority. Anthony Seraccino Inglott of the Malta Medicines Authority said the mutual areas of cooperation be- tween the MMA and the Ghana Stand- ards Authority foresee the development of industrial cooperation between phar- maceutical bodies of participating coun- tries and the eventual exchange of expe- rience and knowledge. "e Authority is offering its support to the pharmaceutical sector in Ghana by providing training to obtain EU Good Manufacturing Practices certification. e agreement is also intended to pro- mote collaboration on capacity building with regards to pharmaceutical products registration, pharmaceutical quality con- trol and pharmacovigilance," he said. A third Memorandum of Understand- ing was signed between MCAST and Accra Technical University. Stephen Vel- la, MCAST General Manager for MG2I, said that this is a new experience for MCAST because it will be extending its internationalization strategy. "MCAST will be offering the opportu- nity to Ghanaian students to obtain an EU-recognised qualification, which will open possibilities to further their studies and entrepreneurial skills in Ghana and also Europe. We are also open to discuss future collaboration with other insti- tutions in Ghana who show interest in extending their VET training provision through MCAST," he said. Malta-based AquaBiotech Group signed two other memorandums of un- derstanding with Ghanaian counterparts for business development in aquaculture and fisheries. is second trade mission to Ghana is being organised by TradeMalta, led by CEO Anton Buttigieg, with the full support of Malta's diplomatic office in Ghana, represented by High Commis- sioner Jean Claude Galea Mallia. Malta's strong trade efforts for expansion in Ghana lead to five new MOUs Above: the Maltese trade delegation to Ghana, led by Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Silvio Schembri (left)