F.O.I. presents sector-by-sector industry reports to Minister of Industry

Today, the Minister of Industry, the Hon. John Attard Montalto met the Federation of Industry (FOI) Deputy President Joe Caruana Curran and FOI Executive Dean Anderson in a follow-up meeting to the initial one held in November. At the time the Minister had requested the FOI's help in determining the needs of industry.

The FOI, based on recommendations contained in the Ramboll report had previously decided to tackle the manufacturing industry on a sector-by-sector basis, leading to the formation of product-sector groups which converged with the Minister's wishes. It was agreed that this initiative will serve as a basis to develop the sector-by-sector project that is to include other interested parties who are not members of the FOI.

As a result of this initiative the FOI was able to draft an initial six sector group papers outlining the general mood and the sector-specific problems of each Group. These papers covered the following sectors:

• · non-metallic minerals;
• · chemicals;
• · metals and engineering;
• · textiles and clothing;
• · printing and paper;
• · furniture and wooden products.

While covering a broad range of sectors, these represent only the first step in a much wider project. Other manufacturing product sector groups will be activated in the coming weeks.

This project follows from several facets of the FOI's activities which are in-line with the Ministry of Industry's policies in involving constituted bodies in the decision-making process. It also stems from a meeting held between the Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and the FOI Council Officers, wherein this project was supported.