The Malta Maritime Summit has been confirmed for October 2020 by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg, according to a press release issued by the government’s Department of Information (DOI).
The main theme will be “The Voice of the Industry” and last year more than 300 participants from 21 different countries attended this summit.
“An appropriate theme as ahead of us we have a forum that presents an excellent opportunity to continue discussing opportunities and challenges with the industry,” said Mr Borg. “The success we are experiencing today in the maritime sector is thanks to continuous dialogue and collaborative work between the government and the industry. We are speaking about an industry that contributes 12% of the Gross Domestic Product, which creates 23,000 jobs,” he added.
“Today Malta has great potential to become a centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean. Our Country is blessed with natural ports and a strong maritime tradition, and this together with our work with the industry has resulted in a lot of success,” added Mr Borg. “Last year, the Maltese Register registered more than 6% growth and we have more than 82 million gross tonnes under our flag, which is renowned for excellent service. After all, we also had great success in the superyachts niche, with 90% growth over five years ago. The government will continue investing in ports, marinas, appropriate high-quality infrastructure, and we will continue working hand in hand with the industry.”
He also reminded those present of the investment which this industry is drawing to our country and which makes space for the creation of several ancillary services and added that this is why it is even more important to continue collaborating and discussing.
“Now a fixture in the international maritime calendar, the Malta maritime week comprises a summit and three conferences once again convening the most influential maritime stakeholders and specialists from all over the world,” said organiser Mr John Gauci-Maistre. “They will be airing and sharing their views on the most pressing concerns particularly policies, energy, sustainability, finance and yachting demands currently faced by the shipping industry at a time of notable geopolitical shifts and technological advances. Having posited itself as ‘The Voice of the Industry’, the forthcoming debates continue to enhance Malta’s reputation as a key maritime nation.”