A report on the food and beverage industry gave a good snapshot and showed that commercial activity in the sector was as strong as it was vulnerable, the parliamentary secretary for small businesses and the self employed said.

Edwin Vassallo was speaking during the presentation of the report, commissioned by the Malta Institute of Management and drawn up by David Galea.

Mr Vassallo said the report showed clearly that 2003 had been the worst year for the sector, but in 2004-05 there had been a recovery period and a gradual expansion overall.

The economic growth that followed 2003 was the result of new regulations that had come into effect. These may have created problems for some operators in the sector but were beneficial to consumers.

MIM president Lawrence Mizzi said the study aimed to help in the consultation process between the sector and the authorities. Membership of the European Union meant that every economic sector had had to go through a transition period, and the food and beverages sector was still going through it.

Mr Vassallo said a conference would be held in the coming months for operators in the sector, to discuss issues that affected them directly.