Seminar on funds for research and innovation

Malta Enterprise is organising a half-day seminar at The Palace Hotel, Sliema, on January 18 to give an overview of the existing funding mechanisms and support services available to companies conducting research or initiating innovative projects.

The pressure being exerted by the level of competition requires businesses and industry to look at research and innovation as a means to ensure their competitiveness and consequently their own long-term sustainability and livelihood.

Malta Enterprise runs a number of schemes aimed at encouraging research, development and innovation, including specific business advisory services.

The latest addition to this particular portfolio is provided through Malta’s recent participation in the Eurostars Joint Programme, a pan-European initiative through which companies from more than 30 participating states are brought together to work on collaborative projects that comprise market-driven research and development.

The €400 million initiative is intended to help SMEs grow, develop, diversify their offering and possibly tap into international markets in view of the fact that they are the major source of renewal and a driving force for the development of new business areas.

Eurostars call coordinator Peter Chisnall will be one of the keynote speakers and will explain how Maltese businesses can take advantage of this initiative to overcome the hurdle of obtaining financial assistance to implement their ideas and bring them to the market.

Other speakers include representatives from Malta Enterprise, the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the Malta Council for Science and Technology, Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, the University of Malta and the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate. They will give details of assistance available through their own entities.

The seminar seeks to shed some light not only on which funding opportunities are available, but also on the most appropriate to specific sectors.

Prior registration is essential. For information, bookings and enquiries contact Malta Enterprise on 2542 0000 or at rtdi@maltaenterprise.com.