Official visit to Foster Clark Products Ltd

Through the collaboration of the Malta Federation of Industry, Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and the Minister for Economic Services, Professor Josef Bonnici, continued their official visits to FOI member manufacturing companies with an official...

A tour of the company`s state-of-the art automated factory in San Gwann followed a discussion with senior management on the manufacturer`s operations and current performance.

During this visit, Dr Fenech Adami urged local companies to follow the example set by Foster Clark Products which, he said, "has reacted to the needs of the global market with remarkable success".

The Prime Minister remarked that the company "dedicated a considerable amount of time and resources to identifying, exploring and penetrating new potential markets".

Foster Clark Products produces a range of foods, sauces and drinks under the brand names Foster Clark and Calypso, that are mostly exported to Middle Eastern markets.

FOI vice-president accompanies President on state visit to Hungary

Federation Of Industry vice-president Andy Gatesy was invited to be part of the delegation that accompanied the President, Professor Guido de Marco, on his two-day state visit to Hungary last month.

During his visit the President met the President of Hungary, Ferenc Mádl, various high-ranking state officials and representatives of the current opposition. He visited the Businessmen Forum, the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, was presented with the Key of Honour at the City Hall and participated at a wreath-laying ceremony at Heroes` Square in Budapest.

Professor de Marco also delivered a lecture at Eotvos Lorand University and visited the hotels of the Corinthia Group.

This visit gave the opportunity for the FOI vice-president to establish important contacts and exchange views with Hungarian officials and businessmen.

FOI vice-president at EU enterprise conference

Another FOI vice-president, Ian Mizzi, represented the Federation at a conference on enterprise policy, held in Maribor, Slovenia, between April 23 and 24. The conference was co-organised by the Slovene Minister of Economy and the Enterprise directorate-general of the European Commission.

The first day of the conference involved an introductory session focused on enterprise policy, which was opened by Slovenian Minister Tea Petrin, who spoke on entrepreneurship in candidate countries.

A ceremony of endorsement by candidate countries of the European Charter for Small Enterprises followed the introductory session. Edwin Vassallo, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Economic Services performed the formalities in respect of Malta`s endorsement.

Four simultaneous workshops were set up to discuss Access to Finance; Education and Training for Entrepreneurship; Business Support Services; and Improving the Business Environment and Public Administration.

Mr Mizzi participated in the first workshop on tackling problems experienced by SMEs in accessing financing, especially those concerning producers of a range of foods, sauces and drinks under the brand names Foster Clark and Calypso, start-up projects.

The workshops continued on the second day of the conference, with the rapporteurs presenting their respective reports. One of the rapporteurs was Ray Cassar of the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise (IPSE).

The conference closed with a press conference on the conclusions of the conference and the recommendations for the candidate countries.

Malta visit of officials from Lebanese industrialists association

The FOI is co-ordinating a three-day visit to Malta of two delegates from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) this week. Saad Oueni is the general manager of the association, and Maria Teresa de Corato works for the Promotion and External Affairs Department within the association.

The familiarisation visit is being organised through the UNIMED BN initiative, which is being managed by UNICE and supported by the European Commission in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

The FOI is a member of UNICE and an active partner country of the UNIMED process. The aim of this project is to strengthen employer organisations in the Mediterranean partner countries and network them with their sister organisations in Europe.

The delegates will discuss issues and exchange experiences related to export promotion, market information and services related to export, internal and external communication, and internationalisation, with promotion and training organisations.

During their very detailed programme of meetings, the two delegates will be meeting, among other officials, FOI director general Edwin Calleja, FOI deputy president Anton Borg, FOI vice-president Andy Gatesy, METCO chairman Anthony Diacono, METCO general manager Stephen Sultana, IPSE chairman George Borg and IPSE chief executive Joe Vella Bonnici.

Visits to various exporting manufacturing companies are also being organised for Mr Oueni and Miss de Corato.

The collection and recycling of waste oils - a seminar

The FOI, through the EU Help Desk of its Malta Business Bureau, in collaboration with the British High Commission in Malta, is organising a seminar for members on the collection and recycling of waste oils at the Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta on Tuesday.

The main speaker will be John Cackett from the UK, an environmental consultant with international experience specialising in the recovery and recycling of waste oils.

Mr Cackett is to give an overview of British and international experiences in this field and the lessons to be learnt by Maltese economic operators. Two sector-specific sessions will be held.

Session One focuses on the automotive and retail sectors, and Session Two is dedicated to the collection and recycling of waste oils in the industrial sector.

Godwin Micallef, FOI council member and chairman of the FOI Environment Committee, is chairing both sessions. Officials from the relevant government authorities are also being invited to participate in this meeting. Members dealing with the specified areas in any way are encouraged to attend these sessions.

Members attending this meeting will also be invited to visit the waste oil collection and recycling facilities in Spencer Hill, Marsa, with Mr Cackett, on Wednesday.

For more details, interested members are to contact the FOI secretariat on tel: 2123-4428 or 2122-2074.

The implications of cosmetics and detergents labelling legislation

Following requests from various members, the FOI, through the EU Help Desk of its Malta Business Bureau, in conjunction with the Malta Standards Authority and the Consumer and Competition Division of the Ministry for Economic Services, is organising an information meeting for members on the implications of cosmetics and detergents labelling legislation. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14.

Martin Seychell, head of the Foodstuffs, Chemicals and Cosmetics Directorate, Malta Standards Authority; and Godwin Mangion, director (Operations), Consumer and Competition Division of the Ministry for Economic Services will address the meeting.

Besides overviewing the actual legislation, Mr Seychell will be also concentrating on the main criteria used in the evaluation of cosmetic products (including toiletries and perfumes), as well as chemical products intended for the consumer.

Particular emphasis will be made on new requirements on the labelling of these products, as well as on the required safety assessment. Local manufacturers of cosmetic products are reminded that a full safety assessment will be required as of July 1. An overview of new chemicals legislation will also be given.

Mr Mangion will be focusing on these issues from a risk management point of view and will be highlighting the role of the Division under the Product Safety Act as a market surveillance inspectorate.

Members dealing with these pro-duct sectors in any way are encouraged to attend this important meeting, which will allow ample time for discussion.

For more information on the meeting, members can contact the FOI Secretariat.