Last month, Malta’s national trade promotion organisation, TradeMalta, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a commemorative event that brought together key figures behind its success in transforming how Malta-based businesses approach internationalisation.
Among the distinguished guests were former Chairpersons, Directors, past and present employees, members of the business community and long-time stakeholders, all of whom played a role in shaping TradeMalta’s journey.
Addressing those present, Dr Ian Borg described TradeMalta as a visionary public-private partnership between the Government of Malta and the Malta Chamber.
Summing up what TradeMalta stands for, he noted how “together, we recognised the need for a specialised body to help our businesses reach global markets, overcome structural limitations, and compete in complex and competitive international environments.”
That is how TradeMalta became Malta’s national champion for export development and internationalisation, working with hundreds of Malta-based businesses, from tech startups and manufacturers to service providers and food exporters.
“TradeMalta helped them enter new markets through trade missions, specialised training, business intelligence, and strategic financial support. This would not have been possible without the trust and commitment of our business community, and the professionalism of the TradeMalta team,” the Deputy Prime Minister explained.
Dr Borg also highlighted TradeMalta’s agility during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting how it provided virtual market support and adapted its incentive schemes, “That ability to evolve remains essential, especially amid shifting supply chains and rising geopolitical risks” he said.
Reflecting on its broader impact, Dr Borg described the TradeMalta model as a case study in how collaboration can work when anchored in shared goals. “The Government provides policy direction and funding, while the Malta Chamber ensures the voice of business is never absent. This equilibrium has built a credible and effective institution,” he noted.
CEO Anton Buttigieg also addressed the gathering, underscoring the collective nature of TradeMalta’s success.
“TradeMalta belongs to the hundreds of Malta-based companies, institutions, and individuals who placed their trust in it over the years. It’s the result of a shared conviction, collective effort, and a belief that Malta-based businesses deserve the world as their marketplace.”
He went on to emphasise that TradeMalta’s mission from day one was clear: to empower Malta-based businesses to take the leap from local to global. This goal, however, was never without its challenges. Malta, as a small island economy with limited resources, logistical challenges, and geographically distant from many markets. Despite these obstacles, businesses on the island consistently demonstrated that with the right tools and mindset, neither size nor location could prevent success. TradeMalta is precisely the right tool designed to help companies prepare for, understand, and ultimately win in foreign markets.
Over the past decade, the organisation has supported participation in hundreds of trade fairs, coordinated missions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and guided companies – both start-ups and established firms – into new and emerging sectors.
“But numbers alone don’t tell the full story,” Mr Buttigieg noted. “Behind every company we’ve assisted is a team that dared to grow beyond Malta. Behind every trade mission is a handshake, a partnership – sometimes even a breakthrough deal. Behind every incentive disbursed is a decision to believe in the potential of Maltese entrepreneurship.”
The CEO thanked the TradeMalta team: “Behind all of this is a group of people – the team at TradeMalta – who carry out this mission with humility, professionalism, and purpose. My heartfelt thanks go to every staff member, past and present, for their quiet dedication and enduring commitment.”
He also acknowledged the support of the Government and the Malta Chamber and and the engagement of numerous stakeholders over the years such as HSBC, TradeMalta’s longstanding strategic partner.
Mr Buttigieg concluded by reaffirming TradeMalta’s vision for the future: “We’re proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve expanded our reach, embraced digital transformation, and supported countless companies in their international growth. But our ambition remains strong. We must continue to innovate, measure our impact rigorously, and collaborate even more closely with partners at home and abroad.”
On behalf of WhosWho.mt, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire team at TradeMalta on this remarkable milestone—and wish them continued success in the years to come.
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