The Institute of Financial Services recently held its Annual Seminar on the theme of Access to Finance for SMEs - Making the Best of EU Funding Opportunities.

The seminar commenced with an introductory address by IFS-Malta President Joseph Abdilla.  This was followed by presentations from two expert speakers.  The first was delivered by Patrick Klein from DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, in which he spoke about the various EU funding opportunities available to SMEs, with particular reference to the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). The second was presented by Malta’s Principal Permanent Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, Dr Godwin Grima, who focused on Malta’s use of EU funds and the impact on the local economy. The session was chaired by IFS-Malta committee member, Peter Calleya.

In the second session, the Chief Executive of Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, Dr Gabriella Pace, chaired a very interesting panel session which discussed whether Maltese SMEs were making the best of EU funding opportunities to access finance.  Panel members included Vincent Farrugia, Director General GRTU, Mark Scicluna Bartoli from Malta Enterprise and Caldon Mercieca from the Malta Tourism Authority.

The interest generated by the presentations and panel discussion was evident as there were numerous interventions from those attending on various topics and related issues.

In his concluding address, the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Tonio Fenech, acknowledged the importance of SMEs to the economic well-being of Malta and thanked IFS-Malta for organising such a topical event.