The implementation of the updated national RTDI (research, technological development and innovation) strategy approved by Cabinet last year has helped to give research and innovation a higher profile on the national agenda as key drivers of competitiveness.

“Further efforts are currently underway both in the public and private sectors to promote innovation-driven competitiveness (the strategy work underway on the part of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development and the corporate-led Competitive Malta Foundation),” Mr Galea told the European Council of Ministers.

He emphasised the fact that Malta is currently focusing on ways of integrating these efforts and developing a more coherent national approach to competitiveness. Minister Galea explained that it is envisaged that this incremental yet holistic approach will continue to bear tangible results in the process of capacity-building in research and innovation as well as create a demand for further investment in both the private and public sectors.

Speaking on Malta’s participation in the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme on Research and Development, which assists organisations in the field of R&D, Minister Galea regretted that the participation of the Maltese private sector in this initiative has remained somewhat restricted as result of a number of constraints, in particular the socio-cultural context. He added that it is envisaged that the launch of the National RTDI Programme earlier this year, which has attracted a high level of proposals from local companies, will help to address this issue by acting as an important stepping-stone.

“Joint efforts between the Malta Council for Science and Technology, Malta Enterprise and the Federation of Industries are underway to develop an integrated strategy to promote research-driven yet industry-lead innovation aimed at providing more targeted support to local companies to facilitate their participation in the Sixth Framework protocol on research and development,” Mr Galea said.