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ME organises international conference on FDI

The EU & FDI: Love Lost? international conference, organised by Malta Enterprise, was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on April 7, 2017.

The Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, the Hon. Dr Christian Cardona delivered the opening address, in which he emphasised the critical role played by FDI in the development of the Maltese economy since the late 1950s, and the Maltese government’s willingness to work towards making both Malta and the EU more attractive to FDI.

Various experts, Maltese and foreign, addressed the conference and participated in panel discussions. The first panel focused on the EU as a location for FDI; the second panel debated policy issues affecting FDI flows, particularly those related to corporate taxation, climate change and the freedom of movement of capital; while the third panel looked at third country investment in the EU. Many of the speakers emphasized the EU’s strengths as an investment location, but at the same time drew attention to areas where matters could be improved, or that need to be closely monitored.

A representative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) delivered the closing address. Associations and other organisations represented on the panels included Amcham, Business Europe, the Japanese Business Council in Europe, the European Commission and research consultancy Copenhagen Economics. Other speakers hailed from foreign-owned manufacturing industry (Metallform and Carlo Gavazzi, both of which have substantial and long-standing investments in Malta) or from and from a number of universities (Brunel University, University of Malta, Leeds University and the University of Oxford).

The panels were chaired by Dr Mario Vella (Governor of the Central Bank of Malta), Ms Marika Tonna (Chief Operating Officer at Malta Enterprise), and Ms Philo Meli (formerly of Malta Enterprise).

Further information about the conference and speakers, including presentations, are available at www.eu-fdi.com.