FOI, Malta Enterprise explain pharmaceutical manufacturing's importance

The Malta Federation of Industry (FOI) and Malta Enterprise held a presentation for the prime minister and Cabinet ministers to explain clearly the contribution that the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is currently making to the Maltese economy and the great potential it has for our islands in the future.

This presentation was held last Thursday at the Auberge de Castille at the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. For this event the prime minister was accompanied by the Minister for Competitiveness and Communications, the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment; and Minister of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, as well as Joseph Scicluna, Cabinet secretary, and Edgar Galea Curmi, head of the Prime Minister's Secretariat.

The importance of this industry was highlighted throughout the presentation, which was opened by Malta Enterprise chairman Joe Zammit Tabona and FOI president Anton Borg.

The FOI Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector Group co-ordinator Claude Farrugia and Malta Enterprise chief executive Philip Micallef delivered the FOI and ME presentations, respectively.

Two members of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector Group were also asked to give an outline of their respective experiences in setting up and operating in Malta: Steinthor Palsson, managing director, Actavis Ltd., and Paul Harrison, managing director, Arrow Pharm (Malta) Ltd.

The presentation was not only an opportunity for Cabinet ministers to understand the importance of this sector but also to increase awareness about certain problems that are confronting operators.

Following the presentation, a discussion was held. FOI and ME appealed for support to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry so that it would continue to make a contribution to Malta's economic growth.

The prime minister asked ME to do its utmost to resolve the sector's outstanding problems.

At this meeting, Mr Borg was accompanied by FOI executive Cecilia Vella, and the ME delegation included Mario Galea, head - Niche Area Development, and Anne McKenna.

The FOI attaches great importance to this sector of industry and last year had created a sector group to lobby for members' interests.

The FOI Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector Group has been active since, drawing up various position papers on important issues and new legislative provisions related to the pharmaceutical industry, and taking part in discussions with Government authorities.

The federation is also working in the pharmaceutical sector in close collaboration with ME. The corporation is treating this as a priority sector because of the competitive advantage that our country currently offers foreign investors.