Imports of consumer goods rose by Lm6.6m in the period from January to April 2006 compared to the same period of last year, thus confirming that commercial activity is on the rise, parliamentary secretary Edwin Vassallo said yesterday.

He was speaking to participants of the Marketing and Packaging to Gain a Competitive Advantage programme. The participants were presented with commemorative plaques that will be fixed outside the shop.

The Leonardo da Vinci programme helps to send self-employed people on trips abroad to learn from their European counterparts. This programme aims to help 85 local businesses, and 20 have already completed the programme.

The participants took part in two programmes. A group of 15 self-employed went to Italy for a programme that specialised in fashion and design. Another group of eight went to a boat fair in Romania where they met with local entrepreneurs.

Mr Vassallo said the entrepreneurs learned that they have to fight off stiff competition from abroad and by being innovative, they can be competitive as well… to the extent that he hoped Maltese businesses could open franchises abroad.

A new programme for carpenters who will be based at the Ta’ Qali Crafts Village will be launched shortly. Prospective candidates should apply only if they are in possession of a promise of sale for their shop in the village. Mr Vassallo said that he wished to see more entrepreneurs from the industrial estates of Handaq, Mriehel, Mosta and Zebbug taking part in similar schemes.

Mr Vassallo said that 300 businesses will benefit from the Leonardo da Vinci Programme and the figure will rise to 600 by the end of next year.