Since 1946, when the Malta Federation of Industry (FOI) was set up, it has been an independent voice of the small, medium and large manufacturing and services enterprises, which constitute industry in Malta.

The federation's fundamental services fall under:

¤ Representation, whether of an individual, sectoral or national nature;

¤ Influential/lobbying with legislators, unions, other employer organisations and public opinion (through various meetings, conferences, seminars, reports and media);

¤ Promotional in developing its members' operations and investment in their enterprise through the setting up of various bodies;

¤ Being a contact point for advice, information, discussion, and other business services, which support its members' efforts; and

¤ Acting as a link point for its members with various business organisations in other countries of Europe and the Mediterranean region. This would also include the services of the Malta Business Bureau Brussels office and a Malta-based EU Help desk in providing its members with more knowledge about the European Union.

The FOI is also continually updating its already wide array of specific services to members, which include:

¤ dissemination of export and joint venture opportunities, and other enquiries regarding licensing, franchising and subcontracting arrangements, etc. The FOI notifies its members of any serious business proposals received;

¤ issuing Certificates of Origin and authentication of trade documents;

¤ free subscription to FOI publications;

¤ provision of independent advice to its members and prospective investors to Malta;

¤ circulation of FOI reports, position papers and studies on issues of interest to industry;

¤ circulars to keep FOI members regularly informed on issues of concern;

¤ regular information updates offered free exclusively to FOI members (those currently available relate to the environment, social policy, EU funding opportunities, EU developments, shipping, information technology, health and safety);

¤ the monthly notification of new legislation and regulations (Acts, Legal Notices, exemption of levies, national standards, and maximum prices), as well as information on various business opportunities and conferences;

¤ organisation of information meetings, management education courses, seminars and conferences;

¤ distribution of members' press releases to all media channels; and

¤ regular updates through the FOI Website.

This is by no means and exhaustive list and is continuously being expanded. There are beneficial services provided to FOI members by the FOI sponsoring partners Bank of Valletta, Corinthia Hotels International, Go Mobile, Sea Malta and Air Malta.

Furthermore, the federation will soon be launching additional information updates exclusively for its members and has also the services of expert advice on specific topics in the pipeline.

To know more on how your firm can benefit through FOI membership contact FOI executive Cecilia Vella on tel: 2123-4428, 2122-2074 or e-mail: info@foi.org.mt.