Agreement signed between Chamber of Commerce and Gozo Business Chamber

by a staff reporter

Louis A. Farrugia and John Magro, the Presidents of the Malta Chamber of Commerce (COC) and Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) respectively, yesterday signed a collaboration agreement between the two organisations.

While acknowledging their individual autonomy, both Chambers have undertaken to consult each other on matters of common business interest at the national level and especially on issues concerning the region of Gozo.

Through this agreement members of the Gozo Business Chamber will be given the opportunity to utilise the network of the Malta Chamber of Commerce. The initiative, in fact, aims to give the GBC the possibility of having in Gozo the same services as their Maltese counterparts, particularly in the field of foreign trade including the issue of certificates of origin. Through the Malta Chamber, GBC will also be granted access to information and participation in activities organised by international bodies to which the COC is a member.

Presently, COC is a direct member of the International Chamber of Commerce, an associate member of Eurochambres (Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry), and a full member of ASCAME (Association of European and Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry).

The highlight of the agreement is that it provides for the President of the Gozo Business Chamber to hold an ex officio seat on the COC Council. Likewise, the President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce will be entitled to sit on the Council of the GBC as an ex officio member.

This is the second partnership agreement signed by the Malta Chamber of Commerce this month after a similar agreement was recently signed with Junior Chamber Malta. This reflects the open and proactive stance of the Chamber with respect to collaborating with its kindred organisations in an effort to stimulate a better service to the local business community.