The High Commissioner is the guest of Newry man Tom Kelly who is Northern Ireland’s Honorary Consul to Malta. Dr Refalo and fellow representatives from the Maltese Enterprise Board are meeting businesses and trade bodies with existing links or an interest in the Mediterranean country. FM Environmental already has operations in Malta and employs a number of Maltese staff both in Newry and in Malta. FM Environmental provides specialist services to the pump and wastewater treatment industry. The company manufactures its world renowned ‘Grease Guardian’ among other products at its manufacturing plant in Malta.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of FM Environmental said, “We are delighted to welcome His Excellency, the Maltese High Commissioner to the UK here to our Head Office in Newry. We have a great relationship with Malta having our manufacturing plant there. A number of key FM staff are Maltese including our Technical Director, Mario Farrugia. It is a very positive development in the growing relationship between the two regions to welcome the Maltese delegation here. We hope it will encourage increased trade and stronger links between Northern Ireland and Malta in the future.”
Honorary Consul for Malta in Northern Ireland Tom Kelly added, “Being from Newry I was particularly interested in taking the Maltese delegation to our city and to meet local business FM Environmental who have established a very economically beneficial relationship with Malta. Through this visit we hope that more companies and indeed businesses from the Newry area in particular will look towards Malta to establish or build on trade and tourism links.”
The delegation came to Newry as part of a three day visit to Northern Ireland. Dr Refalo also met with Mayor Michael Cole, elected representatives, Newry Chamber of Trade and Commerce and a number of business representatives from the city.