Political and business giants for Economist roundtable in Malta

Malta will be hosting a business roundtable between the 6^th and 7^th of March, in an event organised by the famed business weekly magazine 'The Economist'.

The news was announced this morning by the parliamentary secretary for economic growth and small businesses Edward Zammit Lewis at a media conference held at the Hilton Hotel.

Zammit Lewis said that the roundtable will be attended by a host of top European politicians and business gurus including European Parliament president Martin Schulz, former Italian prime minister and former EU Commissioner Mario Monti, Genel Energy chief Tony Hayward, and former EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

The conference will discuss the future of Europe with particular reference to the Mediterranean, as well as innovative markets and niches being developed in Malta.

"This is truly something Malta has never seen before," he said.

Zammit Lewis, who explained that 'The Economist' first approached government in November of last year, said that an event such as this - with world-renowned economists and business leaders present - will continue to help in making Malta an attractive destination for possible investors.

The consulting editor of 'The Economist', John Andrews, said that it was the "company's discredit" that the March roundtable will be only the first of its kind in Malta.

"We will try to focus on Malta in terms of investment opportunities and Malta's place between the EU and the Mediterranean," he said. "This would be a huge opportunity of getting more economic cooperation within the Mediterranean region."

Andrews praised Malta for coming out "relatively unscathed" during a difficult economic climate, describing it as a "triumph" for the local banking sector.

"Malta has certainly proved that it is punching above its weight," he said.

Meanwhile, Michel Cordina, Head of Commercial Banking at HSBC - the sponsors for the March roundtable- said that the hosting of such an event was "very much in line" with the company's ideology.

"Such an event can go a long way in helping Malta raise a profile as a logistical hub in the Mediterranean region," Cordina said.

Cordina, who himself was instrumental in the 'HSBC Why Malta?' initiative, stressed that one of the company's aims was to connect its clientelle to business opportunities and this, he said, was certainly one of them.