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4 NEWS 14.9.2023 IN July 2023, the seasonally adjusted industrial production decreased by 1.1% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with June 2023, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In June 2023, industrial production in- creased by 0.4% in both the euro area and the EU. In July 2023 compared with July 2022, industrial production decreased by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU. Monthly comparison by main industrial grouping In the euro area in July 2023, com- pared with June 2023, production of capital goods fell by 2.7% and durable consumer goods by 2.2%, while pro- duction of intermediate goods grew by 0.2%, non-durable consumer goods by 0.4% and energy by 1.6%. In the EU, production of capital goods fell by 2.4%, durable consumer goods by 1.9% and non-durable consumer goods by 0.8%, while production of intermedi- ate goods grew by 0.1% and energy by 1.5%. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases were registered in Denmark ( 9.1%), Ireland (-6.6%) and Lithuania (-4.4%). e highest increases were observed in Sweden (+5.1%), Malta (+3.4%) and Hungary (+2.9%). Annual comparison by main industrial grouping In the euro area in July 2023, com- pared with July 2022, production of du- rable consumer goods fell by 6.7%, ener- gy by 5.7%, intermediate goods by 5.0% and non-durable consumer goods by 0.6%, while production of capital goods rose by 0.4%. In the EU, production of energy fell by 7.4%, durable consumer goods by 7.3% and intermediate goods by 5.5%, while production of non-durable consumer goods rose by 0.5% and capital goods by 1.0%. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest annual decreases were registered in Bulgar- ia ( 11.5%), Estonia (-9.5%) and Latvia (-8.6%). Increases were observed in Denmark (+5.7%), France (+2.8%) and Malta (+2.3%). Industrial production down by 1.1% in both the euro area and the EU Gozitan company secures Ghana deal R.A.& Sons Manufacturing Ltd, a Gozitan manufacturing company of specialist products for the construc- tion industry, has signed a collaboration agreement with JL Properties of Ghana. R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd and JL Properties Gh Ltd have announced the formalisation of a strategic partnership after months of hard work and meticu- lous preparation during a recent gather- ing in Malta. is collaboration brings together two businesses committed to driving innovation and delivering un- paralleled value to operators in the con- struction industry. It all started when Dr James Lindsay, Chief Executive Chairman of JL Prop- erties Gh Ltd, was seeking business opportunities to enhance his existing business, particularly his flagship con- struction projects and real estate inter- ests. ey were introduced to R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd by Jean Claude Galea Mallia, Malta's High Commis- sioner in Ghana. In January 2023, the Gozitan compa- ny joined the trade delegation to Ghana organised by TradeMalta which contin- ued to pave way for this collaboration. Raymond Attard, Director at R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd, announced that as a result of this agreement, R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd will be assist- ing JL Properties Gh Ltd to set up their own manufacturing site in Ghana. ey will be producing high quality construction materials concentrating on specialist products for dampness and humidity problems in the construc- tion sector which is a major challenge in Ghana particularly in Accra which lies below sea level. Lindsay said that he was immensely happy to seal this agreement. He em- phasised that these high-quality prod- ucts are a game changer for the con- struction Industry in Ghana and that he is looking forward to further strengthen the collaboration between the two com- panies. Anton Buttigieg, CEO of TradeMalta, who presided over the signing ceremo- ny said, "TradeMalta is committed to supporting Malta-based businesses in their export endeavors. Ghana offers huge business opportunities in vari- ous sectors including manufacturing, health, training, and the educational field. I am happy to see this collabora- tion between the two companies and I hope that this will inspire other busi- nesses to do the same. ese prospects are the result of the growing relations between the two countries during the past five years when TradeMalta held its first trade mission to Ghana. I en- courage more locally based businesses to take the plunge and look for oppor- tunities abroad to grow and thrive." TradeMalta offers a range of export and internationalisation services and encourages Malta-based businesses to take their business across borders. Left to right: Anton Buttigieg - Chief Executive Officer TradeMalta, Ward Caldwell - CEO, R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd, Raymond Attard - Director, R.A. & Sons Manufacturing Ltd, Dr James Condua Orleans Lindsay - Chief Executive Chairman, Jl Properties Gh Ltd, and Princesse Bilet - Head of Malta Operations, Jl Properties Gh Ltd during the recent gathering in Malta

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