News

Five Maltese companies were assisted by Malta Enterprise to participate in the Futurematch brokerage event held in Hanover, Germany, where they had the opportunity to meet prospective business partners with a view to building their international links and improving their operations.

Between them, the Maltese companies had over 60 meetings at the brokerage event, which attracted some of the major stakeholders in the IT industry in view of the fact that it was held on the sides of the CeBIT international trade event held between March 6th and 10th, 2012.

Around 60 delegates from local enterprises had the opportunity to learn more about the assistance and funding opportunities provided by Malta Enterprise to facilitate projects in R&D and innovation during a seminar organised by the Corporation with the support of the Enterprise Europe Network.

The seminar highlighted the importance of R&D and innovation for any enterprise in its drive to maintain its competitiveness and long-term sustainability and sought to encourage the participants to embark on such projects.

Calls for applications for European Regional Development Funds are open until 3rd April 2012.

For further assistance call Business First on 144

www.20millionforindustry.com

[email protected]

Malta Enterprise has been appointed as the National Contact Point for the European Commission's Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), which aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

With a budget of €3.3 billion and running from 2007 to 2013, the CIP supports innovation activities, provides better access to finance and delivers business support services in the regions participating
in the programme.

Almost a thousand micro enterprises including start-up companies and selfemployed which between them invested a total of €15.7 million and generated more than 235 new jobs have already applied for the MicroInvest schemes, which assists them to innovate, expand and develop their operations.

The Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani this afternoon visited the Malta Enterprise head offices in Pietà.

Mr Tajani was briefed about the Corporation's extensive work to support local enterprises in their operations in order to facilitate their growth, amongst others through a wide variety of schemes and services which also include the recently-launched Business First, which gathers more than 50 Government services for businesses under one roof.

Information Sessions in Malta

Date: 7th March 2012 Time: 12.00 hrs

Venue: Malta Enterprise Training Room, Gwardamangia Hill, Pieta

Information Sessions in Gozo

Date: 7th March 2012 Time: 12.30hrs

Venue: Calypso Hotel, Marsalforn

Repeat Session

A repeat Session in Malta will take place on Thursday 8th March 13.30hrs

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of the European and Maltese economies. Besides being major sources for innovative goods and services, SMEs have a vital role not only in providing employment for millions of people, but also in enabling the European economy play to its strengths within the context of an increasingly competitive world.

Malta's proposition as a regional hub in the Mediterranean for both trade and investment was welcomed with good interest by around 30 South African businesses which participated in a business forum organised by Malta Enterprise in Johannesburg.

The forum was followed by a series of one-to-one meetings during which the 12 Maltese companies participating in the business delegation currently visiting South Africa had the opportunity to establish contact with their counterparts in Africa's leading economy with a view to exploring business cooperation opportunities.

Malta’s proposition as a regional hub in the Mediterranean for both trade and investment was welcomed with good interest by around 30 South African businesses which participated in a business forum organised by Malta Enterprise in Johannesburg.

The forum was followed by a series of one-to-one meetings during which the 12 Maltese companies participating in the business delegation currently visiting South Africa had the opportunity to establish contact with their counterparts in Africa’s leading economy with a view to exploring business cooperation opportunities.