High Commissioner Joseph Zammit Tabona on an official visit to Jersey

This initiative to forge closer economic, cultural and political ties between the two islands followed the signing of a double taxation agreement at the Malta High Commission in London this January and its subsequent implementation in July.

For the two day visit, the High Commissioner and Mrs Zammit Tabona were hosted at Government House by the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, HE Lieutenant General Andrew Ridgway and his wife Mrs Ridgway. The Lieutenant-Governor is the representative of the Queen in the States of Jersey.

The High Commissioner had meetings with top States officials including the Chief Minister, the Minister of Treasury and Resources and the Minister for Economic Development. The Bailiff of Jersey received the High Commissioner at the Royal Court and States’ Chamber and later held a Dinner in his honour at the Old Library of the States’ Building at the Royal Square in St Helier.

During the brief stay, High Commissioner Zammit Tabona visited and held talks with a number of financial institutions including the Jersey Financial Services Commission, Jersey Finance Limited, Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority and the Economic Development Department.

High Commissioner Zammit Tabona remarked that both Malta and Jersey are strongly committed to build relations and have a lot to learn from each other’s experiences, ranging from areas as diverse as eGaming to healthcare. 

With regards to financial services, he reiterated that ‘the way forward is direct cooperation’ and stated ‘Malta, with its EU onshore status and Jersey, offshore, should seek to be complimentary, attracting companies who are interested in having a foothold on either side’.

The High Commissioner reciprocated the invitation extended to him and announced that a high level delegation from Jersey will be visiting Malta in Spring 2011.