NATIONAL CONFERENCE
COMPETITIVENESS
AND THE LISBON AGENDA:
A SMALL-STATES PERSPECTIVE
Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th October 2005
Aula Magna of the
Foundation for International Studies,
St Paul Street, Valletta, Malta.
Organised by the
Economics Department and the
Islands and Small States Institute of the University of Malta,
in collaboration with the
Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications
PROGRAMME
This programme is tentative and subject to change
TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2005
0900-0930
Opening Session Session
Introductory speeches:
Professor Lino Briguglio, Convener
Hon. Minister Censu Galea, Minister of Competitiveness and Communications
0930-1100
Panel Session 1: Union Representatives
“Balancing Wage Rates and Productivity and Promoting Employment”
Introduction by Chairperson, Mr Victor Scicluna
Presentation by the following panellists:
Mr Tony Zarb (GWU), Mr Gejtu Vella (UHM), Mr Anthony Micallef Debono (CMTU),
Mr William Portelli (MUBE), Mr Rudolph Cini (Forum)
Discussion
1100-1130
Coffee Break
1130-1300
Panel Session 2: Representatives of the Business Community
“Fostering Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Promoting Investment”
Introduction by Chairperson, Dr Pierre Schembri Wismayer
Presentation by the following panelists:
Mr Joe Farrugia (MEA), Mr Wilfred Kenely (FOI), Mr Louis Apap Bologna (MCC&E),
Mr Justin Zammit Tabona (MHRA), Mr Vince Farrugia (GRTU)
Discussion
1300-1400
Light Lunch
1400-1530
Panel Session 3: Government Representatives
“The Overarching Role of Government in Promoting Competitiveness”
Introduction by Chairperson, Mr Louis Cilia
Presentation by the following panellists:
Mr Marcel Pizzuto (MCMP), Mr David Spiteri Gingell (MITTS), Mr Paul Zahra (MFIN – to be
confirmed), Mr John Aquilina (MEU), Dr Edward Warrington (UoM)
Discussion
1530-1600
Coffee Break
1600-1730
Panel Session 4: Representatives of Civil Society
“Social Cohesion, Environmental Protection and Competitiveness: Synergies and Conflicts”
Introduction by Chairperson, Professor Lino Briguglio
Presentation by the following panelists
Mr Emmanuel Farrugia (Consumers' Association), Mr Benjamin Rizzo (Federation of
Professional Bodies), Ms Roselyn Borg (National Council of Women), Mr M. Petrocochino
(Pensioners’ Association), Mr Vince Attard (Nature Trust)
Discussion
1730
End of Day 1
WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2005
0900-0920
Introductory Session
Mr Gordon Cordina
“Summary of Panel discussions”
0920-1000
Presentation by Keynote Speakers: Session 1
“Knowledge Society and the Lisbon Strategy”
Ms Eva Belabed,
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
“Competitiveness Strategies for Small States”
Dr Eliawony Kisanga,
Division of Economic Affairs, Commonwealth Secretariat
1000-1020
Questions/discussion on keynote speeches
1020-1040
Coffee Break
1040-1120
Presentation by Keynote Speakers: Session 2
"The Need for Enterprise Reform and Innovation for Economic Growth in a small state: The
case of Estonia"
Mr Ahti Kuningas,
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia
“Competitiveness and the Lisbon Agenda in Slovenia”
Dr Art Kovacic
Institute for Economic Research, Ljublijana, Slovenia
1120-1140
Questions/discussion on keynote speeches
1140-1220
Plenary Open Discussion on all Issues
Chairperson: Professor Lino Briguglio
1220-1235
Closing Session
Malta Government dignitary (to be confirmed)
End of Conference