"Two months ago, I mooted the idea that through our small size we can attract German initiatives which can use Malta as a big laboratory for their Research and Development. This proposal is gaining ground and was met with enthusiasm from various quarters, both political and entrepreneurial. Ultimately it is all about ideas. And we have always shown that we have turned the limitations of our geographical size into opportunities."

German-Maltese Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) president Henry J. Borg said this during a business meeting organised last week by the GMCC and the Innovation Relay Centre (Malta) on German-Maltese co-operation through technology transfer.

Mr Borg insisted that the chamber's aim is that of finding more opportunities to create synergies with German counterparts, to find ways how to put Malta on the map for German businesses to consider coming to Malta, set up in Malta and work from Malta, and to target other very important markets, such as North Africa and Middle East.

"The presence of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft this morning is a clear sign that we're moving in the right direction," Mr Borg said. "The Fraunhofer Institute is a leader in undertaking applied research of direct utility to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society insofar as future scientific progress and economic development is concerned.

"We need to investigate the possibilities of combining their expertise with our resources to make the 'big lab' concept a reality."

Participants were welcomed by IRC co-ordinator Joseph Woods, who referred to the IRC's role in facilitating the meeting and making the Fraunhofer Institute representative available for Maltese businesses.

Other speakers were Helmut Domas, deputy head of mission at the German Embassy, Louis Giordimaina, CEO Lufthansa Technik Malta, and as guest speaker, Paul Friessem, Fraunhofer Institute (Security and Telecooperation).