Breaking news

Cyprus And Malta Move To Expand Commercial Ties Through Joint Investment And Business Cooperation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Two Mediterranean Economies Look Beyond Their Borders

Cyprus and Malta are stepping up efforts to deepen commercial relations and unlock new investment opportunities, with companies from both countries exploring cooperation across technology, financial services, manufacturing and cybersecurity.

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve) hosted the Cyprus-Malta Business Forum alongside a series of business-to-business meetings, bringing together a Maltese delegation and members of the Cypriot business community to identify areas for practical collaboration.

The event, organised with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Cyprus-Malta Business Association, took place in the presence of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Kyriacos Iordanou.

A Strategic Push For International Growth

Keve said the initiative reflects its broader effort to strengthen Cyprus’ international business links and help local companies expand into overseas markets.

Opening the forum, Keve president Stavros Stavrou highlighted the longstanding economic relationship between Cyprus and Malta, noting that both EU island economies share globally oriented business sectors, strategic geographic positions and a strong dependence on entrepreneurship and services.

He said smaller economies cannot afford to rely solely on domestic demand. In a more competitive global environment, he argued, they must build partnerships that enhance competitiveness and create new paths for growth.

Despite their size, he added, Cyprus and Malta each offer strengths in expertise, flexibility, connectivity and skilled human capital, qualities that enable them to function as business hubs linking Europe with neighboring markets.

Malta’s Economic Profile And Sector Strengths

The forum also featured an overview of Malta’s economy by Mark Bajada, deputy president of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Bajada pointed to Malta’s economic performance and labour market, while underscoring the importance of sectors such as technology, digital innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, aviation, maritime activity, pharmaceuticals and tourism.

He also outlined the role of the Malta Chamber, which has represented the country’s business community since 1848 and works through European and international business networks to support Maltese companies seeking to expand abroad.

Complementary Geographies Create Business Opportunity

Discussions focused heavily on the complementary nature of the two economies. Malta’s position in the Central Mediterranean, combined with Cyprus’ location in the Eastern Mediterranean and proximity to the Middle East, was presented as a practical advantage for companies looking to pursue joint investment, build commercial partnerships and access wider international markets.

Participating companies came from technology, FinTech, financial and professional services, HealthTech, AgriTech, food manufacturing and cyber resilience. The talks centered on areas where firms could pool expertise, exchange knowledge and develop commercial projects. Invest Cyprus also delivered a presentation to participants.

B2B Meetings Aim To Turn Dialogue Into Deals

A central feature of the forum was the programme of dedicated B2B meetings, designed to give Cypriot and Maltese companies direct access to one another, open discussions on potential partnerships and examine investment possibilities.

Keve said it wants businesses to build on these discussions through concrete projects and longer-term cooperation, rather than let the connections made at the forum fade once the event concludes.

Building A Lasting Bilateral Platform

The forum also reflects wider efforts to strengthen business ties between the two countries, including the establishment of the Cyprus-Malta Business Association under Keve in 2023 to support bilateral trade, investment and commercial cooperation.

Keve said closer economic relations could help boost trade and investment, support innovation and give companies in both countries broader access to international markets.

Participants closed the forum by expressing their intention to maintain business dialogue between Cyprus and Malta, with the real measure of success likely to be the partnerships and commercial projects that emerge in the months ahead.

LVMH Revenue Rises, But China Weakness Continues To Weigh On Luxury Giant

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

A Softer Quarter Exposes The Limits Of Luxury’s Recovery

LVMH, the world’s largest luxury group and parent of Louis Vuitton, Dior, Celine and Hennessy, reported revenue of €18.5 billion in the three months to the end of September, underscoring both the scale of its business and the pressure building across parts of the luxury market.

The company’s revenue rose 1.2% year on year in the third quarter, following a 0.1% increase in the second quarter and a 5.9% decline in the first. The trajectory points to stabilization, but not yet to a convincing rebound.

Organic Growth Misses Expectations

Organic sales growth, which strips out currency effects and portfolio changes, slowed to 1% in the third quarter from 3% in the previous quarter. That result fell short of market expectations and reinforced concerns that the luxury cycle remains uneven.

For the first nine months of the year, LVMH generated sales of €57.1 billion, with organic growth of 2%.

In its statement, the company highlighted the breadth of its portfolio, saying that diversification continues to provide resilience in an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment. That remains one of LVMH’s defining strengths: when one category weakens, another can help offset the downturn.

China Remains The Key Pressure Point

LVMH said sales performed well in the United States, Europe and Japan, but conditions in China remained less favorable. That matters because the country has long been one of the most important growth engines for global luxury brands.

The fashion and leather goods division, LVMH’s most closely watched unit, saw organic sales fall 5% as weaker demand in China weighed on performance. Deutsche Bank said the decline was steeper than the roughly 2% drop expected by analysts.

The segment had delivered its first organic sales gain in two years in the previous quarter, making the latest retreat a notable setback.

Brand Equity Faces A Test In China

The quarter also highlighted the reputational risks facing global brands in China. Louis Vuitton drew criticism after suing local tea company Molly Tea over logo copying. Although the company won the case, the dispute sparked social media backlash and boycott calls, adding another layer of pressure to an already fragile environment.

For a company built on scarcity, aspiration and brand discipline, perception is an asset as valuable as inventory. In a market as digitally connected as China, that asset can shift quickly.

Mixed Performance Across The Portfolio

Not every division weakened. LVMH’s selective retailing business, which includes Sephora, posted an 8% organic sales increase. Watches and jewellery, along with wines and spirits, both recorded 6% organic gains.

That broad mix is precisely what has historically given LVMH an advantage over rivals: it can absorb softness in one category without relying on a single growth driver.

Analysts See A Longer Recovery Ahead

Deutsche Bank analysts said the results could lead to further cuts in earnings forecasts for the second half of 2026 and 2027. They added that it is difficult to see what could improve investor sentiment in the near term.

Still, the bank framed the weakness as cyclical rather than structural. In its view, recovery is taking longer because Chinese demand remains subdued, but the problem does not appear to reflect a permanent deterioration in the brand franchise. Analysts said ongoing brand initiatives are beginning to show results, though improvements are likely to remain gradual.

Investor Pressure Continues To Mount

LVMH’s share price has fallen nearly 40% since the start of the year. In September, L’Oréal overtook the group as France’s most valuable listed company, a symbolic shift that captures how sharply sentiment has changed.

Shares in LVMH were down more than 1.6% in Paris around 10 a.m. CEST following the release.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
eCredo
Aretilaw firm

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter