The MBB co-organised a business seminar with the Malta Chamber and the European Commission Representation in Malta with the objective of providing information on the current EU funding and technical assistance opportunities for innovative start-ups and SMEs, particularly through ‘The SME Instrument’.
Mr Pierre Roubaud, Head of Sector Coaching, Reporting and Stakeholders from EASME gave an interactive presentation on the opportunities offered under the SME Instrument through which innovative start-ups companies can initially benefit from.
Dr Joanna Drake gave a general overview of the EU financing programmes for SMEs and showcased the European Commission’s initiatives over the last programming period. She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to continue supporting SMEs and explained how enterprises can benefit from future programmes.
Malta Chamber’s Deputy President Anton Borg set off the discussion with a presentation on the need to set up an innovations, research and development strategy for innovative start-ups in Malta. The seminar was also addressed by the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, Hon. Ian Borg.
Concluding the event, MBB President Mario Spiteri said that the EU, hand in hand with business organizations, should do more to help businesses understand the nature of EU funds and how best they can be put to use. He augured that more local SMEs put effort in developing innovative initiatives and successfully manage to receive funding to achieve projects that in the absence of such capital would be very difficult to achieve.
