KSA, Malta to cooperate in maritime transport

Saudi Arabia and Malta have signed an agreement to promote mutual cooperation in maritime transport. “The agreement, which aims to facilitate cooperation in the field of maritime transport, was signed by Transport Minister Sulaiman Al-Hamdan and his visiting counterpart Joe Mizzi,” Ambassador Martin Valentino said.
Both sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
Commenting on the agreement, Mizzi said the deal seeks to promote development of the movement of commercial vessels passing between the two countries in order to facilitate the transport of goods and people as well as further strengthen the economic and trade relations between the two countries.
The deal also aims to achieve better coordination of the commercial marine traffic between the two countries, along with the development of technical and training cooperation and information exchange in the field of maritime transport. 
Moreover, the agreement seeks to coordinate the positions of the two countries in international organizations and at various forums related to maritime transport.
On Tuesday, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the Maltese minister and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival in the capital. The two leaders discussed a number of bilateral issues of mutual interest.
Malta, an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, is known for historic sites. 
Saudi Arabia shares a common stance with Malta on various international issues and enjoys friendly ties across various fields, including trade, tourism and culture.
Malta’s total exports to the Kingdom is roughly estimated at about 21 million euros annually, with half of the exports being food products, whereas the island nation imports a total 16.3 million euros worth of goods per year, the bulk of which is organic chemicals.

Source: Arab News