As Part Of a seminar organised by Impetus Europe and supported by the Malta Federation of Industry and the Commerce Division, Wilfred Kenely, FOI director-general, gave a presentation about Maltese industry and intellectual property.

In his speech, Mr Kenely dwelt on the major role that intellectual property plays in the stimulation of investments leading to new innovations. He referred to a report published by UNICE, the Union of National Industrial Confederations of Europe, which establishes a correlation between the country's competitiveness and its IP protection. The report finds that the top 20 most competitive countries, according to the World Economic Forum Index, are those with the most stringent IP regimes.

The FOI represents the Maltese Industrialists within UNICE.

Mr Kenely then referred to how IP uses the knowledge content in our exports, making it possible for local companies to penetrate global markets. In his presentation he emphasised that while it is important that an awareness campaign about IP is set in motion, it is also important that the country increases its knowledge creation levels.

This, said Mr Kenely, is the responsibility of all stakeholders including industry, the university and Government. He referred to the "positive signals" coming from the education sectors, particularly the setting up of the Commission for Higher Education.

Other speakers in the seminar included Mr Godwin Warr from the Commerce Division, Mr Jacques Sciberras from the University of Malta, and Mr Joseph F.X. Zahra, chairman of Impetus Ltd.

Mr Censu Galea, Minister for Competitiveness and Communications also addressed the seminar.