Virtu Ferries and the Italian-Maltese Chamber of Commerce are actively cooperating to relaunch relations between Maltese and Sicilian commercial entities.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been massive on many businesses and especially on smaller ones that are suffering disproportionately. Virtu Ferries has prepared a relaunch program promoted by the Chamber of Commerce which intends to facilitate commercial vehicles up to 5.9 meters in length, with discounted fares. Furthermore, immediately, drivers of commercial vehicles of less than 5.9 meters can have a co-driver or their own worker travel free of charge, on their business trips to Sicily or Malta.
Among the various initiatives are those of free use of the Truckers Lounge, that is the room reserved for commercial vehicle drivers, as well as fast contactless check-in and the flexibility of travel to and from Pozzallo and Catania. All this will hopefully reduce the impact of the current pandemic on small businesses by encouraging trade between the two sister islands.
The Chamber of Commerce provides assistance to traders, including small traders, interested in developing commercial relations between Malta and Sicily. The Camers di Commercio – in fact – will gladly facilitate the contacts between traders with strategic partners, as well as help traders in the search for possible contributions and will provide assistance in the various phases. Numerous initiatives will be launched, including the introduction of special offers, with the aim of relaunching tourism, given the proximity of Malta and Sicily and the preference to travel by sea while maintaining social distancing.
The Italian-Maltese Chamber of Commerce and Virtu Ferries will assist anyone interested in promoting tourism between the neighboring islands. With a second catamaran operating on the new Malta-Catania route starting from April 2021, Virtu Ferries will have 1,700 seats available per day, with guaranteed social distances.
The Virtu Business Center, located inside the Virtu Passenger Terminal, is available free of charge to both Maltese and Sicilian producers, merchants and partners for promotional purposes.
The Chamber of Commerce actively works with Virtu Ferries looking to the future by promoting post-COVID-19 opportunities, both in the short and long term, with the aim of strengthening commercial links between Malta and Sicily.