We are not a country that thrives on its natural resources. As you well know we have none of them. What we do have are valuable human resources. We have knowledge and creativity; these are indeed our strong points. We need to strengthen them, and the best way to do this is through innovation. The European Union is focusing on supporting innovation and a wide variety of programmes and frameworks are already in place.
The European Union is the gateway to competitiveness and innovation for European SMEs. Network partners assist businesses by raising awareness and by providing access to information needed to develop a business: how to obtain funding, where to find business partners, or how to participate in European programmes. Furthermore, they can advise about EU legislation and act as a feedback channel, informing the European Commission about the views of European SMEs.
This structure also promotes innovation by encouraging SMEs to become more innovative and by sharing research results and cooperation opportunities to trigger new ideas and possibilities. Promoting transnational technology cooperation and ensuring access to innovative technologies is another priority, and this can be particularly effective for our country in the quest of cleaner alternative energy technology.
Last Friday, I took part in a conference organised by a Maltese company, Across Limits, which took part in a programme called Fluid-Win, under the FP6.
Within the fluid-win project, we see how a company like Across Limits facilitates payments and logistics. This is not only more efficient, but also more effective.
Here we experience the true meaning of the European Spirit, where people from around the continent join forces, work together and facilitate services and logistics.
Across Limits is an example of an SME that has managed to grab the opportunity of having part of its product research EU funded. This project enhances joining forces within a European dimension, reaping successes on all fronts.
This is a Maltese company that came in contact with a large number of European entities and managed to show the quality of Maltese people and their hard work that translates in achievements. We are looking at a role model here, one which we must use as a future point of reference and perfect example of truly experiencing what the European Union is all about. This is living proof of the fruit that the EU membership is bearing.
In this respect, banks also have a mission to spread the word, and inform others how funds that can help innovation are obtainable. Banks in Spain and Italy have agreed to test how Fluid-Win can make their own processes faster, more efficient and effective. It is time for banks in Malta to follow suit and start this positive experience. This is a great opportunity for Maltese banks to test projects like Fluid–Win, and we must learn to take good examples from other EU countries and follow them.
Two questions come to mind when hearing of such an initiative.
Do the Maltese know enough about projects like this? What can we do to give projects like these more exposure?
The answer is No – we need to educate in many more ways on how the European Union can help bigger companies, SMEs and even individuals. As a representative in the European Parliament, I am discussing and exploring ways and means by which more companies and individuals can learn how to benefit from the European Union. Sometimes it is regarded as an untouchable entity; however we need to make it understood that it is not so. The European Union is there to provide the necessary tools for our social and economic well-being – they are all there for us to use. Thanks to the EU, small companies from our island get in touch with foreign companies, leave their mark, for themselves, Malta and the Maltese economy.
This project, which is reaching its final stages, was made possible thanks to the European Union. We are thankful that we took the right decision and opt for European membership, not only in the security it provides our country during this financial turmoil, or the funds for infrastructure, but also, as is this case concerning Across Limits within the Fluid-Win project is a story of success between an innovative company in partnership with the highest European entity. More local companies should snatch this example to attain the best triumphs through Malta’s accession in the European Union.
David Casa is a Nationalist MP
www.davidcasa.eu
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