Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513064
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 DECEMBER 2023 NEWS THE Co-operative College and Koperat- tivi Malta have joined forces in a prom- ising Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a spectrum of exciting collaborations, marking a significant step towards fostering global collaboration within the cooperative sector. Notably, Koperattivi Malta has em- braced a pivotal role as a founding member of the Global Co-operative College Network, an initiative which offers support and educational resourc- es to co-operative members worldwide, facilitating a meaningful exchange of knowledge on an international scale. Daniel Schembri, CEO at Koperattivi Malta, emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration, stat- ing, "Our motto at Koperattivi Malta is 'Stronger together, independent busi- nesses, one voice'. This partnership highlights the potential of this collabo- ration to elevate cooperative businesses to unprecedented levels'." The collaboration is an exciting mile- stone for Cooperative College Malta as it stands to benefit from the extensive experience of Co-operative College UK, boasting a rich history spanning over a century within the cooperative sphere. Envisioning a comprehensive role for Cooperative College Malta, the collab- oration goes beyond traditional educa- tion. It sees the college as a dynamic hub where cooperative members actively contribute their knowledge, accredit courses relevant to their specific coop- eratives and undergo collaborative re- search initiatives. This initiative will also see the explo- ration of setting up dual certification courses for further and higher educa- tion teaching programmes between the Co-operative College Malta and their counterpart in the UK. Courses offered by Co-operative Col- lege Malta will focus on effective coop- erative governance, covering essential topics such as good governance, legis- lative and financial structures, and sus- tainable practices, amongst others. Anticipating a positive impact on the visibility and influence of cooperatives, both locally and internationally, the collaborators foresee a contribution to the growth and sustainability of the co- operative model. Schembri concluded, "This part- nership marks the beginning of a new chapter for the global cooperative mod- el, emphasizing collaboration, educa- tion, and sustainability." Koperattivi Malta and Co-operative College UK forge Global Cooperative Education Partnership PROVISIONAL data recorded a total trade in goods deficit of €318.1 million during October, compared to a deficit of €343.9 million in the corresponding month of 2022. Imports amounted to €724.0 million, while exports totalled €405.9 million, representing drops over the same month of the previous year in both im- ports and exports of €126.4 million and €100.5 million, re- spectively. The main decreases in im- ports were primarily due to Machinery and transport equipment (€105.8 million), and Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€31.7 million), partly offset by an in- crease in Food (€24.4 million). On the exports side, the main decreases were registered in Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€49.7 mil- lion), and Food (€41.7 million). During the first 10 months of the year, the deficit narrowed by €585.4 million when com- pared to the corresponding pe- riod of 2022, reaching €3,483.3 million. Imports stood at €7,129.8 mil- lion whereas exports reached €3,646.5 million, representing decreases of €697.8 million and €112.4 million, respectively. Lower imports were main- ly recorded in Mineral fuels, lubricants and related mate- rials (€488.5 million), Machin- ery and transport equipment (€244.6 million), and Chemi- cals (€78.7 million), partly off- set by increases in Food (€61.6 million), and Miscellaneous manufactured articles (€50.2 million). On the exports side, the main decreases were registered in Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials (€214.1 mil- lion), and Chemicals (€44.6 million). These were partly off- set by an increase in Machin- ery and transport equipment (€160.3 million). Goods were imported mainly from the European Union (54.6 per cent) and Asia (20.3 per cent). Similarly, exports were mostly directed to the Europe- an Union (38.0 per cent) and Asia (15.1 per cent). The high- est increase in imports was re- corded from Germany (€233.3 million), while imports from Italy registered the largest drop (€176.5 million). Exports to Germany reg- istered the highest increase (€313.5 million), while those to France experienced the largest decrease (€172.3 million). In October, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters amounted to €189.7 million, compared to a deficit of €122.2 million recorded in the same month of 2022. Imports and exports amount- ed to €470.0 million and €280.3 million, respectively, thus rep- resenting an increase of 5.2 per cent in imports and a decrease of 13.6 per cent in exports over the corresponding month of the previous year. During the first 10 months of 2023, the deficit of trade in goods excluding specific chapters widened by €224.9 million when compared to the same period of 2022, reaching €1,987.9 million. Imports and exports in- creased by 6.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively, reaching €4,429.5 million and €2,441.6 million. €318.1 million deficit in international trade in goods in October