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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 NOVEMBER 2024 7 COMMERCIAL An International conference on the critical role of the global semiconductor industry MALTA Enterprise is organis- ing an international conference on The Critical Role of the Glob- al semiconductor industry. This will take place on November 18-19, 2024 at the Westin Drag- onara Resort. The conference is being organised in collaboration with Silicon Catalyst, the world's leading incubator and accelera- tor focused on semiconductors. The global semiconductor in- dustry is undeniably one of the world's most critical areas which lately is being more impacted from geopolitical developments. Every region plays a vital role in ensuring the continuity of sem- iconductor supply chain. Malta has a sound and long track re- cord in supporting companies operating across the semicon- ductor value chain and is today positioned as a European hub for expertise and resources. As the industry looks at the next wave of expansion, Malta's 40-year legacy in manufacturing offers a significant advantage and op- portunities. Realising the economic po- tential, innovative drive and geo-strategic importance of the technology over the decades to come, Malta Enterprise is embarking on an exciting jour- ney to continue strengthening the country's semiconductor ecosystem. To showcase Mal- ta's semiconductor ecosystem and the latest trends in the sem- iconductor sphere, a 2-day pro- gramme has been put together delivering actionable insights and thought-provoking dis- cussions. The Conference will bring together a strong line up of foreign speakers from industry experts, executives, analysts and thought leaders from TSMC, imec, NXP Semiconductor, ST- Microelectronics, Arm, Silicon Catalyst and from the European Commission. Nominations open for EY's Malta Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Award THE nominations for EY's Malta Entre- preneur of the Year 2025 award are now open. Entering its eighth year, this pres- tigious award celebrates entrepreneurship across the Maltese Islands, empowering entrepreneurs to grow and showcase their businesses both locally and globally The local winner will have the opportu- nity to head to Monaco in June 2025 to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award, an event that brings together national winners from more than 50 countries. Previous participants in the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award have included trailblazing entrepre- neurs from renowned enterprises such as Amazon, Cirque du Soleil, and LinkedIn. Past Malta winners include Alfred Pisani from Corinthia Group, Angelo Xuereb from AX Holdings Ltd, David Darmanin of Hotjar Ltd, Nazzareno Vassallo from Vassallo Group, Mark Bajada of Bajada Investments, Louis Farrugia of the Far- sons Group, and Andy Gatesy from Toly Products. Reflecting on the award, the 2024 win- ner Andy Gatesy remarked: "Although Malta is a small country, we should never underestimate ourselves. We possess the determination, creativity, and entrepre- neurial spirit to compete with the best in the world." In addition to the main award, the EY Rising Star award is presented to a con- tender running a high-growth business that is generating significant excitement in the market. Past winners include David Vella from Altaro Software, Shane Hunt- er from AquaBioTech Group, Ben Rem- frey from Praedium Consulting Malta Ltd, John Winfield from Dr. Juice, Krystle Penza from Mvintage, Yasmin de Giorgio from Shireburn, and Zach Ciappara of FreeHour. The award is judged by an independent panel comprising key figures from the business community. To be eligible, nom- inees must have been operating a compa- ny based in Malta for at least two years. Anyone, including employees, company advisers, and financiers, can nominate an entrepreneur, with the latter's consent. Entrepreneurs may also directly nominate themselves. The awards are held in conjunction with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enter- prise and Industry, and the Malta Cham- ber of SMEs. For more information and to submit a nomination: EOY Malta. Contact eyevents@mt.ey.com for any queries. Benna launches sustainability drive at Malta Book Festival 2024 BENNA, Malta's leading dairy producer, is announcing the launch of its nationwide sustainability drive, which will be officially introduced during the Malta Book Festival 2024, taking place between 6 to 10 Novem- ber 2024. As one of the main sponsors of the festival, Benna will have a dedicated stand focused on promoting sustainability, with special attention given to educating children about the importance of reducing waste and mak- ing mindful choices. This initiative forms a key part of Benna's broader commitment to environmental stewardship, engaging consumers, distribu- tors, and retailers to work together in min- imising food waste across Malta and Gozo. By encouraging responsible consumption and effective waste reduction practices, Ben- na aims to create long-term positive change for both the community and the environ- ment. As part of the drive, the campaign will in- clude educational outreach to help consum- ers understand how they can enjoy Benna's milk and dairy products more sustainably. Additionally, Benna will collaborate with distributors and retailers to reduce food waste by educating them on effective stock management practices. This initiative aims to minimise unused products and prod- uct returns, fostering a more efficient and waste-conscious supply chain. The cam- paign, which aligns with Malta's national environmental goals, reinforces Benna's dedication to corporate social responsibility. Speaking about the initiative, Alex Brif- fa, Chief Executive Officer at Malta Dairy Products Ltd., said: "At Benna, we believe sustainability is not just a passing trend but a core responsibility. By launching this drive at the Malta Book Festival, we hope to in- spire our community—especially children— to adopt more sustainable habits. Together, we can ensure that every drop of milk is ap- preciated, and nothing is wasted." The sustainability drive will be promot- ed through a series of digital, social media, and in-store activations, encouraging wide- spread participation from both the public and Benna's business partners. Visitors to the Malta Book Festival can explore the sustainability stand for further information, including activities designed for younger au- diences. For more details about Benna's sustaina- bility campaign, their product range, and how to get involved, visit www.benna.com. mt or follow their social media channels.