Following the successful participation and impressive results achieved during last year’s The Big 5, Malta Enterprise – the national trade and investment organisation – will once again be present this year with a larger exhibition area and with the participation of nine companies.

“The Big 5 is an important exhibition for us in the region as it is one of the leading regional fairs for building materials and construction related products in the fast-paced Middle East market,” says Dennis Vella, director of the Malta Pavilion.
Vella continues: “Most of the companies that participated in the 2004 edition are quite happy with the response they have received and many have successfully clinched orders from clients in the UAE and other Gulf countries.
“In addition to the regular participants, several new companies will be making a debut at this year’s show with a range of products that include aluminium works, contract furniture, demountable partitioning, industrial equipment, glass works, whirlpool fittings and components, varnishes and paints, sewage treatment plants, stainless steel wall protection products, wrought iron works, water systems and other products in the building materials sector.
The main export markets for Malta are the European Union, accounting for around 49 per cent of total exports followed by Asia, 23 per cent, North America, 16 per cent, Africa and the Middle East, 7 per cent and other countries 5 per cent,” points out Vella.
“The range of products that are exported from Malta is very impressive with more than 50 per cent represented by electronic components, while the others include foodstuffs, rubber and plastic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, fish, medical products, printing services, building materials and other products.
“Exports to the Gulf region reached around $26 million in 2004, with exports to the UAE representing around 44 per cent of the total figure for the region. The main products exported from Malta to the Gulf include building materials, industrial products, foodstuffs and household goods,” says Vella.
“Since Malta’s entry in the European Union in May of last year, we have noticed a considerable increase in business enquiries for both investment and trading with Malta,” says Anthony Tabone, consul general.