News

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.

Yesterday's statistical release by the National Statistics Office has clearly shown that inward foreign direct investment flows in the manufacturing industry have increased by a net Euro94.6 million when compared to the same period last year. This inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in manufacturing is the best result Malta has obtained in the manufacturing sector since 2004.

More than 50 students within the growing digital media industry showcased their creative skills and talent in the second edition of the Gamezing competition, which had a focus on digital games playable on browsers.

Building up on the previous year's success, participation in Gamezing 2011 increased to a total of thirteen games submitted by teams from various educational institutions, with "Super Pibbit" emerging as the overall winner during the Award Ceremony held on Saturday night.

Malta Enterprise has launched the 2012 Calendar of Internationalisation events to help local enterprises in their growth strategy and their expansion in foreign markets.

Amongst others, events include business delegations and specialised fairs not only Malta's traditional markets for business, such as Italy, Germany and the UK, but also other relatively new markets that have been registering consistent growth in the past years such as China and the Gulf States.