A vital crossroads for trade and logistics between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Malta is a small but well-positioned island republic in the Mediterranean. To assist its manufacturing, shipping, and aviation industries, it imports machinery, electronic equipment, and refined petroleum. The capital, Valletta, is well-known for its freeport area and medieval port. As per Malta import data, Malta, a gateway economy with a population of around 0.5 million and a GDP of about USD 20 billion, is expected to import over USD 10 billion in total.
According to Malta customs data, Malta's import basket is dominated by refined petroleum, although its essential function as a transit and services economy is supported by machinery, electronics, and transportation equipment.