VFS Global has announced the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) with the Government of Malta, marking a significant expansion of a longstanding partnership spanning nearly two decades. The agreement brings together Malta’s Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (MFEA), Identità, the country’s identity management agency, and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) under an enhanced framework of cooperation.
Representing the respective organisations, the JDI was signed by Christopher Cutajar on behalf of the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs, Col. Edric Zahra on behalf of Identità, Pierre Fenech on behalf of the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), and Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO, VFS Global, on behalf of VFS Global.
The signing underscores the strong alignment between Malta’s vision for tourism and mobility and VFS Global’s longstanding engagement with the global travel ecosystem. VFS Global shares a close relationship with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global travel and tourism private sector.
The JDI builds on VFS Global’s existing partnership with the Government of Malta and Identità, which currently encompasses short stay & long stay visa services and skills assessment. The Government of Malta welcomed the expansion of its partnership with VFS Global, noting that the agreement strengthens the delivery of services for Maltese citizens while supporting the country’s evolving workforce requirements.
Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global, said: “Our partnership with the Government of Malta has evolved significantly since it began in 2008, and this MoU marks an important new chapter in that journey. The expansion of our collaboration into citizen services for Maltese nationals overseas and skills development across strategic sectors reflects the confidence placed in VFS Global as a trusted partner. We are proud to support Malta’s ambitions to strengthen global mobility, deepen engagement with its diaspora, and build a future-ready workforce.”
The JDI was signed on the sidelines of the WTTC Global Summit in Malta, in the presence of Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, and other senior representatives from the participating organisations, including Ronald Mizzi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Infrastructure, Planning and Employment; Carlos Tabone, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Tourism and Ministry for Arts, Culture and the National Heritage; Chirelle Sciberras, Director, Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad; and Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer, VFS Global.
