Boardroom Brief | Tania Brown on Trade, Partnership and Malta's Export Ambitions

As CEO of TradeMalta, Tania Brown leads Malta’s national trade and export promotion organisation at a pivotal moment for bilateral economic relations. In her first major trade mission as CEO, she took a delegation to Liverpool, Wrexham and Cardiff - exploring commercial synergies across technology, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and beyond. In this interview, Brown discusses the strategic importance of the Malta-UK trading relationship in the current climate, the value of joined-up stakeholder collaboration in trade promotion, and what Malta’s exporters most need as they look to grow internationally.

Q1. You led your first mission as CEO of TradeMalta to the UK in May, taking a delegation to Liverpool and Wales. Why is the Malta-UK trading relationship important and how did the trip go?

The Malta–UK trading relationship is strategically important because it combines deep historic ties with a modern, services-led commercial partnership that remains highly relevant in the post-Brexit landscape.

Malta and the UK share a long-standing relationship built on constitutional history, Commonwealth links, English language, legal and professional traditions, education, tourism, and people-to-people mobility. These ties continue to translate into commercial trust, ease of doing business, and strong institutional familiarity.

Economically, the Malta–UK relationship delivers significant value on both sides. In the 12 months to Q4 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately £5.2 billion, with UK exports to Malta valued at £3.4 billion and imports at £1.8 billion. More importantly, this is no longer defined primarily by the exchange of goods; it is increasingly underpinned by services, investment, innovation and professional expertise.

The selection of Liverpool, Wrexham and Cardiff for this trade mission was the result of careful analysis of their respective economic ecosystems, growth sectors and international ambitions. Each region offers distinct strengths in areas such as advanced manufacturing, innovation, technology, professional services and investment, which align closely with Malta's own priorities. In an increasingly competitive and interconnected global economy, these partnerships provide a platform for businesses and institutions on both sides to forge new commercial relationships, unlock investment opportunities, access new markets and drive sustainable economic growth. Historic ties provide a strong foundation, but it is the shared opportunities of today and tomorrow that make the relationship strategically important, leveraging shared commercial interests and complementary strengths.

The post-Brexit landscape has further highlighted the value of strong regional and bilateral partnerships. While the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides an important framework for continued trade and cooperation, relationships built on trust, regulatory familiarity and well-established business networks have become increasingly significant. As a highly internationalised, English-speaking member of the European Union, Malta remains attractive to UK business in view of its strategic and geographical connectivity with European markets, as well as the MENA and Sub-Saharan, while the UK remains a key source of investment, expertise, innovation and commercial opportunity for Maltese enterprises. These complementary strengths continue to foster a resilient and forward-looking partnership, creating opportunities for greater collaboration, investment and sustainable economic growth on both sides.

Q2. The UK mission was organised in collaboration with several stakeholders. How important is that kind of joined-up approach to making a trade mission a success? 

This trade mission demonstrates the importance of collaboration in building meaningful international relationships. The idea was first conceived by Prof. Stephen Montefort, Malta's High Commissioner to the UK, who sought to identify new opportunities for cooperation between Malta and the United Kingdom during his first year in office. When he shared this vision with me, even prior to the start of my tenure at TradeMalta, I immediately recognised and embraced its relevance, particularly in light of the evolving post-Brexit economic landscape.

Implementing this vision required the support and commitment of a broad network of stakeholders. TradeMalta worked closely with the High Commissioner, the Honorary Consul of Malta to Wales, Reuben Mifsud, and Liverpool-based businessman Peter Schiriewersmann, whose local knowledge and connections helped facilitate engagement with key organisations across Liverpool, Wrexham and Cardiff. On the Maltese side, the initiative was supported by the Malta Chamber, the Gozo Business Chamber and Malta Enterprise, with the MFSA, ITS and techMT subsequently also joining the delegation.

The programme also benefited from the collaboration of Liverpool City Region, Liverpool City Council, Wrexham Council, Trade Wales, Life Sciences Hub Wales, MediWales, FinTech Wales, higher education institutions and local business communities. Their contribution helped create valuable opportunities for dialogue, knowledge exchange and business engagement.

This mission reflects TradeMalta's belief that effective trade promotion is built on partnership. By bringing together complementary expertise, networks and resources, we create the catalyst that enables businesses to explore new opportunities and develop lasting commercial relationships.

Q3. During the UK mission you covered various sectors from advanced manufacturing to life sciences. Which Maltese export sectors generated the greatest interest among UK businesses and investors? 

From the outset, we focused on identifying strong commercial synergies between Maltese businesses and UK counterparts. By concentrating on a select number of priority sectors, we were able to facilitate more meaningful engagements, stronger business matching opportunities and more tangible outcomes for participants.

One of the most encouraging outcomes was the diversity of interest generated. Technology-related sectors attracted significant attention, particularly AI, digital services, cybersecurity and fintech. There was also strong engagement around life sciences and healthcare innovation, particularly during our sessions in Cardiff, where discussions focused on research, innovation, and commercialisation opportunities.

Advanced manufacturing also featured prominently throughout the mission, particularly in Liverpool and Wrexham, where there was clear alignment between the industrial strengths of both regions. Hospitality and tourism generated valuable discussions as well, reflecting the importance of these sectors to both Malta and the UK.

Rather than identifying one standout sector, what was particularly encouraging was seeing opportunities emerge across multiple industries, demonstrating the breadth and sophistication of Malta's export offering.

Q4. Now that you are a few months into your post as CEO of TradeMalta, what have you learnt about where Malta’s exporters most need support? 

Maltese companies are ambitious, innovative and highly adaptable. As a small island economy, Malta shares many of the challenges faced by other small states, particularly in terms of scale, market access and international visibility. With SMEs forming the backbone of our economy, many businesses have strong products and services but require support to become export-ready and successfully enter international markets.

For businesses operating in a small domestic market, internationalisation is often a key component of a sustainable growth strategy. Expanding into overseas markets enables companies to diversify their revenue streams, reduce reliance on a single market and unlock new opportunities for long-term growth and resilience.

Increasingly, businesses are seeking practical, targeted support rather than generic advice; whether through market intelligence, strategic introductions, sector-specific guidance or direct access to decision-makers. This is where TradeMalta adds value in providing the necessary frameworks and assistance needed to grow internationally and succeed abroad.

Q5. What support can TradeMalta provide for a Malta-based business considering exporting for the first time? 

TradeMalta was established to help Malta-based businesses succeed internationally, supporting them at every stage of their export journey. Through services such as market intelligence, export guidance, training, business matchmaking, trade missions, international exhibitions and financial assistance schemes, we help companies build the capabilities and connections needed to expand beyond our shores.

Businesses can also have a free listing in our Exporters’ Directory which was specifically set up to showcase Malta-based companies involved in, or seeking to export, goods and/or services.

What sets TradeMalta apart is its personalised approach. We work closely with businesses to understand their objectives, identify suitable opportunities and provide the support needed to enter new markets with confidence. Our message is simple: with the right preparation, guidance and networks, exporting can become a powerful driver of sustainable business growth and long-term success.