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Malta has a dynamic economy based on international trade and business. Among its achievements, the island has built a sound and competitive manufacturing base that does not rely only on its favourable geographic position, but also on its multi-skilled, multi-lingual workforce. It also offers political stability, healthy industrial relations, a pleasant and secure living environment and evident cost advantages coupled with high productivity levels.

Malta has a good infrastructure set up with advanced telecommunications and a more than adequate air and maritime distribution network. Air links with all major European, North African and Middle Eastern destinations are both frequent and efficient. Shipping lines are served by excellent natural harbours, while international shipping companies provide both conventional and roll-on/roll-off services transporting merchandise to ports across the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia and the Americas. Malta is also a safe haven for workers and their families and is generally cheaper than most European cities.

Competing for foreign direct investment in an aggressive worldwide market, Malta's strategy is clearly defined. During the past three decades or so, Malta has been exceptionally successful in attracting foreign direct investment. The country has notched up an impressive record in attracting foreign investors to its shores and who continue to reinvest in their production and service facilities on the island.

Malta's track record in terms of trade and investment speaks volumes, as does the broad cross-section of foreign companies present in Malta. Currently, there are over 200 foreign companies in engineering, electronics, automotive, telecommunications, software, plastics, medical and pharmaceutical sectors. Further confirmation of Malta's pro-business environment can be seen in the successful operations and, in many instances, the expansion of its leading FDls, who despite the global economic slowdown have invested millions in increasing their operations in Malta.

Thomas De La Rue, STMicroelectronics, Methode Electronics, Dowty, Playmobil, Actavis and Baxter are all increasing their capacity in their Malta operations and in some instances capacity from more high profile destinations has been transferred to Malta. At the same time IT giants Cisco, Oracle and Microsoft also have plans to set up training academies on the island. If there is one feature which characterises the presence of foreign investors in Malta, it is the high levels of productivity associated with their operations in Malta. Malta's workforce is multi-lingual, highly skilled, educated and perhaps, most important of all, flexible. Indeed, in terms of productivity, profitability, quality and response times, locally-based, foreign-owned plants consistently achieve excellent results.