The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire Consulate – MALTA Facilitates Private-Sector Collaboration, Promotes Economic Partnershipsl at President’s Christmas Reception 2025.
By Raymond Enoch
The 2025 President’s Christmas Reception in Malta delivered more than seasonal goodwill this year — it unlocked new pathways for strategic economic cooperation between Malta and West Africa.
Held on November 28, the high-level gathering convened prominent business and diplomatic actors, including Mr. William Spiteri Bailey, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry; Dr. Marthese Portelli, CEO of the Chamber; and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to Malta, Mrqs. Anthony C. Coleiro. They were joined by Mr. Nathan Axiaq, PA to the Honorary Consul.
At the heart of the engagement was a clear message: Malta is deepening its footprint in Africa’s fast-developing markets, with Côte d’Ivoire serving as a critical entry point.
The Malta Chamber — widely regarded as the independent voice of the nation’s private sector — represents enterprises across all economic sectors, from manufacturing and finance to logistics and emerging technologies. Its mission, reaffirmed at the event, is to safeguard a competitive business climate, drive sustainable economic growth, and ensure Maltese entrepreneurs benefit from efficient regulatory and commercial conditions.
For the Honorary Consulate of Côte d’Ivoire, the event signaled momentum in a steady diplomatic agenda aimed at expanding economic bridge-building between Europe and Africa. Current efforts center on trade facilitation, business-to-business partnerships, and targeted promotion of Malta’s economic potential to African governments and decision-makers — particularly Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accredited media institutions across the continent.
Officials at the reception expressed optimism that stronger private-sector collaboration could position Malta as a valued hub for European investors looking toward Africa’s emerging markets, while also opening Maltese enterprises to diversified growth opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire.
As 2026 approaches, stakeholders expect the conversations initiated at the President’s Christmas Reception to translate into tangible projects, commercial missions, and formal partnerships that will contribute to a more resilient bilateral relationship — one driven by private-sector innovation, practical diplomacy, and shared economic ambition.
