Buoyed by the results of the Big 5 Show 2002, Malta will present itself at the 2003 event, with a larger exhibition area and 13 companies in the building materials and related sectors. Malta Enterprise, the country's new agency responsible for trade and investment promotion, will co-ordinate the participation of Maltese companies.

A number of new companies will be present for this year's edition and the range of products on display will be expanded to include aluminium works, refrigeration equipment, furniture, giftware, environmental control equipment, demountable partitioning, industrial maintenance and cleaning equipment for the oil, gas and chemical plants, stained glass, whirlpool fittings and components, varnishes and paints, wall and paint brushes and other products in the building materials sector.

Dennis Vella, stand director of the Malta Pavilion during the Big 5 Show says that most of the companies, which participated in the 2002 edition, have successfully clinched orders from clients in the UAE and other Gulf countries, prompting the greater participation this year.

The success of Malta's exports to the Gulf is evidenced by the increase in export performance over the years. In 2002, exports from Malta registered a 30 per cent increase over a five-year period and around 70 per cent increase to the UAE alone. Though Malta is a small country and perhaps well known for its touristic appeal, it has one of the highest exports per capita in the world and a wide range of its manufactured goods and services are exported to Europe, North America, Asia and the Gulf region, Vella says.

Anthony Tabone, director at Malta's recently opened Trade Centre in Dubai says that he is confident that Maltese companies will successfully penetrate the Gulf markets following the opening of the office in Dubai. More Maltese companies will now be in a position to penetrate the markets of the Gulf and hence expand the range of products exported. The Malta Trade Centre provides information on suppliers from Malta and business opportunities for trade and investment purposes, he says.

Maltese companies will be exhibiting their products at Hall 3 and Hall 5. More details about Malta and the business opportunities offered in the islands can be obtained at the Malta Enterprise stand in Hall 3, number 3C101.