Business trip to Valetta, Malta.
Malta has hardly any natural sources of its own neither does it have its own sources of energy. Also a major part of its land is very difficult to farm although agriculture continues to make a useful contribution to the economy with exports of grapes, potatoes and onions. For these reasons it is obvious that Malta is dependent on import while at the same time, the State concentrates on the development of tourism and advanced services.
For many years the British naval dockyards were the backbone of the Maltese economy. After their closure in 1958, the docks were nationalized (in 1973) and converted to function as a commercial shipyard for shipbuilding and shipping-repairs. These branches hold their own despite the recession in merchant shipping. Light industries are: textiles and clothing, electronics and electrical equipment.
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At present, trade is carried out mainly with the EU. In 2003 Malta’s main export partners were Singapore (18%), the U.S.A. (12%), The U.K. and Germany, aboveabout 9 percent each. Malta’s most important import countries were Italy (18%), France (13%) and Korea (12%). The largest contributor to the GDP is in principle services (73%) mainly from tourism with industry contributing some 24%. The number of tourists each year is over one million. To increase economic growth, the government has taken measures to drastically cut costs while embarking on an elaborate program of privatization and raising foreign capital.
In the beginning of this century Malta indices showed decline in the G.D.P. change, from 6,4% in 2000 to 3% in 2003. The annual inflation rate in Malta in these years is around 2,4% per year.Unemployment rates in these years were above 5% per year. In 2004 Malta joined the European Union. The EU accession has, no doubt, improved the Malta economy dramatically.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Maltese are influenced by an conservative British style, but mixed with an Italian flair and lifestyle.
Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
Hierarchy, age and respect is very important in Malta.
Pay attention to the business cards you will receive before putting them away.
Maltese are not very direct, they prefer subtlety to directness.
Expect to be interrupted by somebody, this is accepted behavior.
Communication can be very expressive.
Dress smart. Appearance is very important. - Meetings and negotiations:
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving. Remember the hierarchy.
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
A lot of time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are not strictly followed and a meeting can take much longer then planned.
First appointments are more socially oriented, Maltese would like to know you a bit better at first.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little. If offered Maltese wine, which is usually an excellent wine, make sure to compliment on it.
Return the toast of your host later in the meal. Stand up and salute the health of your hosts.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but you do not have to finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the handles to the right.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
Malta’s agricultural sector is small, with potatoes being the only major export commodity. Despite being an island, the country’s fishing industry is also relatively of no importance. With few natural resources, governments have highly sought to develop the economy through tourism and export-dedicated manufacturing. Tourism now accounts for over a onefourth of Malta’s foreign exchange earnings.
The industrial sector includes textiles, footwear and clothing, plastics, printing, electronic components and electrical equipment. The old naval dockyards used by the British have now converted to operate as a commercial shipyard.
Malta’s membership to the EU was endorsed in 2003 by popular referendum. Negotiations progressed fairly smoothly and Malta joined the EU in May 2004. The country joined the eurozone in 2008.
The economic growth was about 3% in 2006, while inflation was at just under 3%. The unemployment was estimated to be at 6,8 percent in 2005.
Malta was for a period of 150 years, from 1814 untill 1964, part of the British Empire. As a result of that English is fully integrated in the education of all Maltese.
| Currency | EUR |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 405.165 |
| Area | 316 km2 |
| Population density | 1282 /km2 |
| GDP | € 6.269.750.000 |
| GDP per capita | € 15.545 |
  | Product tip: Buy a passport holder! Get a big wallet that takes passport, tickets and receipts all together in one place. This way you have all your documents organised and easy to find. |
Address
Malta International Airport Plc
Luqa LQA 05
Malta
Telephone: +356(0)2124 9600
Fax: +356(0)2124 9563
www.maltairport.com
Airport codes
IATA airport code: MLA
ICAO airport code: LMML
Lost property
Items that are either lost or found are to be reported (or handed over) at the Customer Services desks situated inside the Public Area (Check-In Hall) and the Passengers Area (Schengen).
In case you realise that an item is lost after leaving the air terminal you can contact our Customer Services Department.
Telephone: +356 2369 6438/6020
Terminal info
The terminal complex comprises of split level Departure and Arrival Halls at either side of the main building with spacious Check-In, Baggage Reclaim and Welcomers’ Halls, cafeterias, restaurants, tax free shops for non-EU destinations and other retail outlets, offices, stores and other service areas. For the business travelers, the airport has two executive lounges as well as a separate, exclusive VVIP building for Heads of States and diplomats.
Connectivity from the airport
Bus
Bus line 8 maintains the connection between the airport and the center of Valletta, this bus leaves regularly from the bus stop in front of the Departures Hall, travel time to the center of Valletta is 30 minutes.
Taxi
In the Arrivals Hall there is a counter where you can purchase tickets for the taxi, there are fixed rates for all destinations in Malta it costs €13.98 to Valletta.
Keep the following tips in mind if you need to order a taxi during your business trip to Valletta. Malta’s white taxis are a ravenous lot and fares are quite expensive. These are the ones you can pick you up off the street. They have meters that are uniformly ignored, figure on €15 for short hops and not much more than €30 for a trip across the island.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Swansea Taxi | +3521313261 |
| Windsor taxi service | +35679490272 |
| White Taxi | +3521823017 |
Zest
... where East meets West in both dining and décor. The chic restaurant is a point of encounter between Continental and Asian cuisine in a contemporary ambiance, oozing relaxed elegance. If you are on a business trip to Valletta, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts.
12 St.George’s Road
St.Julians, Malta
Tel: 356 2138 8000
www.zestflavours.com
Barracuda Restaurant
The Barracuda Restaurant has been earmarked with renown and leading popularity for 29 years, because its principal mission in operation continues to offer gastronomic a la carte specialities, with impeccable service, in an elegant and comfortable exquisite setting.
194 Main Street
St. Julians - SLM05
Tel: +356 21 331817
www.wgc-group.com
Malata
Situated opposite the Grand Masters Palace , Malata restaurant serves the finest in French and Mediterranean cuisine. In winter the 500 year old cellar with its vaulted ceiling hosts up to 42 covers and is cozy and candlelit, the walls are decorated with fascinating memorabilia and amusing caricatures of politicians past and present. In summer and for as long as the weather holds, Lunch and dinner are served al fresco on the large tree shaded terrace.
Palace Square, Valletta
Tel: +356 2123 3967
www.malatamalta.com
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Valletta.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Valletta it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Valletta.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Imperial Hotel
The Imperial Hotel offers 95 comfortable and spacious bedrooms, especially designed for the traveler that wants to rest after a full day of activities. All bedrooms are furnished with bathroom en suite, air-conditioning and heating, direct dialing telephone, radio, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and safe hire.
Rudolph Street
Sliema, SLM06, Malta
Tel: +356 21344093
More info about Imperial Hotel
Hotel Fortina
Situated on the waterfront in a quieter part of Sliema, with Sliema’s shops and facilities just 400m away. It is a property were the facilities are amongst the best in its class for a four-star hotel. Guests are able to do as much or as little as they choose, with ideal facilities for relaxing or active types. The Fortina overlooks the island’s majestic capital Valletta and has some great panoramic views from the front, out to sea and over to Marsamxetto harbour.
Tigne Seafront
Sliema, SLM 3012
MALTA
Telephone No: +356 2346 0000
More info about Hotel Fortina
The Victoria Hotel
The Victoria Hotel Malta is a superior 4 star Boutique hotel, endowed with superlative charm and character - a place where your presence makes the difference.
Gorg Borg Olivier Street
Sliema, SLM 1807
Malta
Tel: +356 21 334 711
More info about The Victoria Hotel
Shopping in Malta is build up from colourful markets with fresh fish and vegetables; delightful old shops in Valletta’s back streets; and the latest continental fashions in shopping plazas.
You’ll find plenty of tempting must-buys to take home from your business trip to Valetta. For a taste of the Mediterranean, choose among the many local deli treats from olives and sun-dried tomatoes to fine delicate wines. If you want something to appreciate for longer, try the intricate, filigree silverware or a work from one of the Islands’ renowned artists.
Markets are the heart of the Maltese week and a cultural tour of their own. Almost every town and village has its version. They are the perfect time and place for socializing, catching up with neighbours and local news as much as for buying your daily necessities.
You’ll find on them a strange assortment of household goods, clothing, music and toys. For treasure hunting, search the bric-a-brac at the Sunday market, Il-Monti, just outside Valletta’s city gate. For more mainstream goods, try the daily market in Merchant Street, Valletta. A weekly market is held on Tuesdays on the outskirts of Cospicua, one of the Three Cities. Then there is it-Tokk, the charming, daily market in the main square in Victoria, Gozo at which you’ll find everything from fishing pots to beach towels.
For a taste of the local colours, nothing beats Marsaxlokk fish market. You’ll need an encyclopedia to identify the weird, wonderful and exotic but also very edible and tasty fish on display.
Malta’s jewelers have a worldwide reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Craftsmen work in both silver and gold. Choose from intricate filigree broches, bracelets and earrings or classic designs in gold.
Traditional handcrafted glass is produced across the Islands. Some factories are open for visits. Check attractions on the interactive map for where they are. Favorite objects include vases and figurines sometimes swirled with Mediterranean-inspired hues of blue. Potteries produce too vast a range of items to describe, but there is something for everyone from practical items for the house to more decorative objects. Glass objects are a great gift for your loved ones when your return from a business trip to Valletta.
Basketware and wickerwork are local crafts with a practical purpose. Maltese homes use cane blinds, hasira, on doors and windows to cut out the harsh summer sun. But there are numerous smaller items to take home.
Nowhere on earth concentrates as much turbulent history into such a small land mass as the Maltese islands and Valletta. The Malta Experience is Malta’s Permier Historical Attraction. If you have only a short time for sightseeing during your business trip to Valletta, this would be the place to visit.
Discover the island and Malta’s amazing history at The Malta Experience Malta’s Premier Historical attraction Located in the capital city Valletta.
Malta’s first and foremost audio-visual attraction, The Malta Experience has delighted over four million visitors since it opened in the 1980s. The Malta Experience attraction is situated in Malta’s Capital Valletta could be listened to in 15 different languages. The Show is continuously updated using state-of-the-art technology to ensure that the production stays up to the minute. The Attraction is open daily excluding Christmas day, New years day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Admission Rates: Adults € 9.50 per person, Students € 6.50 (on presentation of Student Card), Juniors € 4.50 (Under 14 years of Age)
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General emergency number | 112 |
| Traffic Accident | 2132 0202 |
| Rescue by Helicopter | 2124 4371 |
| Rescue by Patrol Boat | 2123 8797 |
When you are in need of medical help you can contact one of these acute Hospitals (referral from Health Centres or directly in extreme emergencies)
St. Luke’s Hospital
Guardamangia Hill
Guardamangia, Malta
Tel: + 356 21 24 12 51
Gozo General Hospital
Victoria Gozo
Tel: +356 21 56 16 00
