Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1293556
NEWS MALTA Enterprise and the Malta Em- ployers Association signed a coopera- tion agreement which will enhance col- laboration between the two entities in the area of employment relations as well as contributing to MEAINDEX, an on- line resource for entrepreneurs. e agreement cements the excellent relations between Malta Enterprise and MEA as a key social partner. ME and MEA have also agreed on shar- ing aggregated information for the pur- pose of data analysis of facts and figures in relation to employment in Malta. rough this agreement, ME will be a partner in MEA's online resource for entrepreneurs MEAINDEX. is online platform serves as an important tool for employers and MEA members to keep up to date with developments and cur- rent affairs related to business in Malta and employment relations. In his comments regarding this collab- oration MEA Director General, Joseph Farrugia stated that "e Malta Em- ployers Association would like to com- mend Malta Enterprise on its efficiency in administering the COVID Wage sup- plement saved thousands of jobs. MEA is enthusiastic about this collaboration which will continue to build on the fruit- ful relationship already in place between both sides" . Malta Enterprise CEO, Kurt Farrugia, stated that the enhanced collaboration is a continuation of the encouraging results achieved during the Covid-19 emergen- cy that led to the survival of businesses and protecting jobs for over 80,000 em- ployees. "e Covid Wage Supplement served as a lifeline to employees. It also confirmed that employers are willing to go an extra mile to protect the livelihood of their employees. rough this coop- eration agreement we commit to extend- ing our excellent relationship while en- suring the transfer of knowledge which will result in better policy decisions," said Kurt Farrugia. e signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was presided by Malta Enterprise Chairman William Wait and MEA President Dolores Sammut Bonn- ici. For more information on the latest Covid schemes for businesses log onto: covid19.maltaenterprise.com Malta Enterprise and MEA sign cooperation agreement Linking science with business THE Malta Chamber of Com- merce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Chamber of Sci- entists have signed a memoran- dum of Understanding with the aim to collaborate closely and bring the world of business and that of science closer than ever. During the signing, e Malta Chamber President Perit David Xuereb said that collaboration between science and business was never more relevant than it is today. "In a world where the ad- vancements in technology and scientific discovery is increas- ingly determining the economy of the future and the quality of life of its participants, business and science are inseparable to better understand and address the ambitions of our country in all of its economic environ- mental and social senses" Perit Xuereb said. Malta Chamber of Scientists President Dr Gianluca Valenti- no, reiterated the need to bring science and R&D (Research & Development) in Malta closer to industry, and explore new ways for industry to tap and commercialise high quality re- search being done locally, while providing researchers with bet- ter access to funding from in- dustry and further career paths for researchers in Industry. He said that investment in R&D and a highly-skilled STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathe- matics) workforce are key fac- tors in economic growth and social well-being. rough the agreement, which is in line with the Cham- ber's Economic Vision for Malta to be a Smart Sustainable Is- land, the two entities shall seek to collaborate to promote RTDI (research, technological devel- opment, and innovation) as a priority for Malta's economic and social development while influencing change in national R&D funding. Moreover, both Chambers shall explore innovative ideas for joint initiatives to increase the value proposition of Mem- bers. Lastly, both parties shall work on creating an intimate connec- tion between the industry and academia in order to facilitate ideas and solutions to the mar- ket. e Memorandum of Un- derstanding was signed by President Perit David Xuereb and Deputy President Marisa Xuereb on behalf of e Malta Chamber, and President Dr Gi- anluca Valentino and member Prof. Andre' Xuereb on behalf of the Malta Chamber of Scien- tists. From left: Prof. Andre' Xuereb and President Dr Gianluca Valentino for the Malta Chamber of Scientists, and Perit David Xuereb and Marisa Xuereb on behalf of The Malta Chamber 1.10.2020