The 49th issue of the FOI journal Industry Today is rich in articles covering a variety of topical issues of interest to industry and the business community in general.
The cover story focuses on the introduction of the Food Safety Act. Martin Seychell, head of the Foodstuffs, Chemicals and Cosmetics Directorate at the Malta Standards Authority, outlines the important implications on industry arising due to this Act.
Mr Seychell outlines the enforcement measures, which have been incorporated in the new Act, as well as the registration requirements both for food businesses and food handlers; the clearly defined and streamlined duties, powers and obligations of enforcement officers; adjusted penalties and compensation; and the introduction of the so-called "due diligence" defence.
FOI executive Cecilia Vella conducted the regular Industry Today interview with Anthony Diacono, chairman, Malta External Trade Corporation (METCO).
Mr Diacono highlighted the Trade Promotion, Business Information, Strategic Alliance and Support services provided by METCO to its registered users. He explained the various preparations made by METCO to ensure maximum benefits by those users who would be participating at any programmed overseas mission.
Mr Diacono also discussed the progress registered at METCO's Libya office and the developments leading to the opening of another office in the Gulf state of Dubai.
In his message FOI president Joe Zammit Tabona includes an extract of his "FOI Services to Members - the way forward", which he delivered at the FOI conference held on November 8.
Mr Zammit Tabona discusses the relationship between the Federation and its members, as highlighted in a survey conducted by the FOI with all its members earlier in the year. The article also outlines those FOI services which members consider important, as well as the new services being offered, or soon to be introduced, by the Federation to its members.
The journal's editorial, drawn up by FOI director general Edwin Calleja, outlines the FOI's active participation in a Euro-Mediterranean Initiative, referred to as the UNIMED BN project, which is co-ordinated by the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) - of which the FOI is a member - and financially supported by the European Commission.
Mr Calleja also explains the objectives and development of the twinning arrangements between the FOI and IBEC, as part of this Euro-Med Initiative.
In addition to the regular FOI and MBB Activities sections, this issue features an article on a specific area of Occupational Health and Safety - the hazards associated with working with computers and the precautions to be taken.
Another article overviews Malta-EU membership negotiations. Nadine Zrinzo, AIESEC (Malta) president, explains the reasons why business operators should consider AIESEC as a tool to train and develop future employees. (AIESEC is the International Association of Students in Economics and Management, with a branch in Malta based at the University of Malta. The association is actively involved in exchanges of students on an international basis.)
The journal also includes an article on the new Investment Aftercare Unit at the Malta Development Corporation; another on the Product Safety Act and Market Surveillance Directorate; articles from two of the Sponsoring Partners of the Federation, Bank of Valletta plc (BoV) and Corinthia Hotels International (CHI); news from UNICE; profiles of two FOI members, Consolidated Biscuit Co. Ltd and Barclays Bank plc; and news from all the FOI sponsoring partners.
Readers wishing to acquire a copy of Industry Today can contact the FOI Secretariat.