Malta-Arab Chamber planning to host technology conference for Arab states
by Franco Aloisio
The Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce is planning to organise and host a major conference on technology for Arab States in Malta next year, the Chamber's new President, Maurice Mizzi, told The Malta Business Weekly.
Mr Mizzi said the conference will bring together high profile personalities and key business players from the Arab world to discuss the problems facing these countries with regards to technology.
"The Arab world is still behind Europe in terms of technology. These States are aware of this and have already identified the problems in this area," Mr Mizzi said.
"The conference will identify those areas where Arab countries are lacking, and how they can catch up with European countries and the United States. The development of technology, especially the internet, is vital for the development and growth of the business in the Arab world."
The Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce has already shown an interest in organising this conference during a meeting held recently in Rome of the European Arab Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
Mr Mizzi's appointment as the President of the Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce came as a surprise to him.
Mr Mizzi, who was not an elected member of the Chamber, was proposed as President during a council meeting held a few weeks ago. Mr Mizzi's predecessor was Adrian Busietta.
A few days after the appointment of the new President, the Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce organised the joint Arab-European commerce conference, which was held last week.
Mr Mizzi said his first priority as a President of the Chamber was to create more awareness about the organisation.
"Although set up in 1973, the Chamber has to grow further. Malta, which is geographically closer to the Arab nations than other European nations, is in an excellent position to develop stronger trade ties with these countries," Mr Mizzi said.
"Arab countries are developing, perhaps not as fast as European or American States. However, progress is definitely being made in several areas. Arab countries are trying to set up a united block similar to the European Union. This will strengthen their position in the world economy."
Speaking to The Malta Business Weekly, the secretary general and chief executive of the Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Mehemmed Izziddin Bek Derna, said the Chamber's council consists of 20 members, 10 from Malta and the remaining 10 representing Arab countries.
Among the countries represented in the chamber's council are Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon and the Arab League. There are around 50 joint Arab chambers in the world, and 15 European-Arab chambers.
The European-Arab Chambers met in Malta last week during a two-day annual meeting, organised by the Maltese-Arab Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting tackled issues such as exports of Arab goods to Europe, the transfer of technology from European to Arab countries and the prospects of investment in Arab countries.
The meeting also discussed the setting up of a free trade area among Arab countries and the investment opportunities in European and Arab countries.
The conference was addressed by Malta's President Guido de Marco; the assistant secretary general of the Union of Chambers of Commerce for Arab Countries, Elais Ghantous; the President of the Malta-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Maurice Mizzi; Finance Minister John Dalli; and various former ministers from Britain, France and Tunisia.
Mr Bek Derna said the aims of the meeting were achieved, as various issues were discussed and important decisions were taken. More importantly, the meeting helped at creating the vital network between various Arab States and their businesses.
"The meeting was very successful, mainly because of the attendance of the secretaries general and Presidents of the various European-Arab Chambers," Mr Bek Derna.
"I still believe Malta can be the bridge between Europe and the Arab States, especially in view of the economic development in this area," he said.
| 
