Malta

Political relations

France enjoys excellent relations with Malta, characterized by political closeness and convergence on several regional and international issues (particularly the Mediterranean and fighting climate change).

Economic relations

In 2021, France was Malta’s 5th largest supplier (€0.55 billion, after Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and China) and its 4th largest client (after Italy, Germany and China). French-Maltese trade links are highly specialized. Aeronautics, electronic components and hydrocarbons make up 55% of the goods exchanged between France and Malta since 2012. This is due to Malta’s industrial production which specializes in high value-added assembly and subcontracting (aeronautics, pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors) and its dependence on hydrocarbons. Malta has undertaken economic diversification based on traditional sectors (tourism, maritime transport) and innovative sectors (online gaming, blockchain, financial services, pharmaceutical industry and aeronautics).

Several French companies are firmly established in Malta, including the French-Italian group ST Microelectronics (the archipelago’s largest private employer, manufacturing of microprocessors and R&D) and CMA-CGM (maritime transport, transhipment on the Suez-Gibraltar route). Insurance activities by Stellantis (formerly PSA), as well as the biotechnology industry are also set up there.