{"id":4345,"date":"2023-10-16T12:06:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T10:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amblavalletta.esteri.it\/?page_id=4345"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:47:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T09:47:00","slug":"4345-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/amblavalletta.esteri.it\/en\/italia-e-malta\/diplomazia-economica\/4345-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Commercial Cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Trade Flows<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2025, bilateral trade <\/strong>between Italy and Malta recorded further strengthening: Italian<\/strong> exports<\/strong> to the archipelago reached \u20ac2.39 billion, while imports<\/strong> amounted to \u20ac263 million.
\nThe trade balance<\/strong>, strongly positive for Italy (\u20ac2.127 billion), confirms the solidity of economic relations between the two countries and the central role of Made in Italy products in the Maltese market.<\/p>\n

Main Exported Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2025, the transport equipment sector<\/strong> constituted the primary category of Italian exports to the Republic of Malta. According to ISTAT data, this macro-category reached a total value of \u20ac411,978,000. Within this aggregate, the \u201cShips and boats<\/strong>\u201d segment emerges as the predominant component, contributing alone \u20ac387,780,000.<\/p>\n

The energy sector<\/strong>, with over \u20ac480.2 million, remains one of the leading components of Italian exports to Malta and reflects the strong interdependence<\/strong> between the two countries, further reinforced by the project of a new interconnector with Sicily, scheduled to become operational in 2027.<\/p>\n

The \u201cHome System<\/strong>\u201d sector, which includes furniture, furnishings, paper products, and other manufactures, generates a total aggregate of \u20ac162.8 million.<\/p>\n

The Italian agri-food sector<\/strong> (agricultural products and processed goods) recorded exports to Malta amounting to \u20ac445 million. Malta confirms itself as one of the most receptive markets worldwide for Italian food products in per capita terms.<\/p>\n

Within the chemical and pharmaceutical grouping<\/strong>, the supply of \u201cbasic chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and rubber in primary forms\u201d represents the main segment, with \u20ac41,697,000, confirming Italy\u2019s role as a primary supplier<\/strong> for Maltese manufacturing firms requiring chemical intermediates.<\/p>\n

In the electronics sector, \u201celectronic components and boards<\/strong>\u201d represent the main driver of growth, recording a significant increase: from \u20ac58.6 million in 2024 to \u20ac87.6 million in 2025. This rise, approximately 50%, highlights the strengthening of Italian supplies to Malta\u2019s ICT ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Main Imported Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the side of Maltese imports into Italy<\/strong>, the sector of \u201cbasic chemicals, fertilizers and nitrogen compounds, plastics, and rubber<\/strong>\u201d stands out, reaching a value close to \u20ac55 million and marking a significant increase compared to \u20ac17 million recorded in 2024. The sector of \u201cmedicinal products and pharmaceutical preparations<\/strong>\u201d is also noteworthy, amounting to approximately \u20ac51 million. Similarly, products derived from petroleum<\/strong> refining show substantial growth, rising from \u20ac16 million in 2024 to \u20ac46 million in 2025.<\/p>\n

Among other relevant sectors are \u201cother special-purpose machinery<\/strong>,\u201d with a value of \u20ac23 million, \u201cother textile products<\/strong>,\u201d approaching \u20ac16 million, and \u201cmedical and dental instruments and supplies<\/strong>\u201d, which reach \u20ac19 million.<\/p>\n

Key Economic Indicators<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to estimates by the MAECI Economic Observatory<\/strong>, Malta recorded GDP growth<\/strong> of 4% in 2025, exceeding forecasts of +3.1%. The budget deficit <\/strong>was contained at 2.20% of GDP, while public debt<\/strong> remained below 47% of GDP. The unemployment rate<\/strong> stood at 3.5% in the first quarter of 2026. In May 2026, the annual inflation rate<\/strong> (HICP) reached 2.1%.<\/p>\n

Trade (millions of euros)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Year Exports Imports Balance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
2022<\/p>\n

2023<\/td>\n

2.095<\/p>\n

2.096<\/td>\n

321<\/p>\n

289<\/td>\n

1.774<\/p>\n

1.807<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

2024<\/td>\n2.410<\/td>\n319<\/td>\n2.090<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2025<\/td>\n2.391<\/td>\n327<\/td>\n2.064<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: Informercatiesteri<\/a><\/p>\n

Tourism and connections with Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2025, Malta welcomed 4 million tourists<\/strong>: Italians remain the second-largest source market, with 616,000 visitors (+13% compared to 2024), after the British and ahead of Germans and French.<\/p>\n

Air and Maritime Connections with Italy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Direct air connections between Malta and Italy are operated by Air Malta, ITA Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, and other carriers, with regular flights to and from Rome, Milan, Naples, Bologna, Turin, Venice, Bari, Catania, Palermo, and Pisa.<\/p>\n

Maritime connections<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n