Laying out the foundations for the Foundation for Transport

Dr Jeanette Axisa Director General Foundation for Transport

THE FOUNDATION FOR TRANSPORT, THOUGH STILL IN ITS INFANCY STAGE, IS EITHER SPEARHEADING A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES OR WORKING JOINTLY WITH STAKEHOLDERS/COFOUNDERS TO COVER ALL MODES OF TRANSPORT.

A survey has recently been rolled out jointly with two cofounders of the Foundation, MEA and Malta Chamber of SMEs, and the Gozo Business Chamber, to:

• Identify the sector’s investment appetite in new technologies • Gauge interest in pilot projects • Test its understanding/knowledge of national policies; and • Discover the extent of general knowledge of new technologies industry players have.

The survey is now in its final stages and its response analysis will be presented during the next Board Meeting of the Foundation. The Preliminary findings will be illustrated during the webinar Sustainable Transport and Business, organised in collaboration with Malta Employers Association.

The Foundation is, at the moment, preparing various initiatives to create awareness, and explain/educate the general public and the business

community about new technologies that are evolving in transport. It has become increasingly important to instil confidence in new technologies and act proactively rather than reacting to and chasing set deadlines.

In parallel, various focus groups with cofounders and stakeholders are being spearheaded to:

• Devise and provide structured training possibilities to all players in the ecosystem • Actively contribute to the setting up of a framework for systematic and periodic certification of various industry players • Offer participation mechanisms in various pilot projects in all modes of transport to identify new commercial activities and skills generated; and • Make sure everyone is involved and gets equal opportunity to be well-prepared.

The Foundation is strengthening its active participation in coordinating and presenting concerted position papers on various strategies and policies. This is an essential part in ascertaining its position as part of a bigger holistic mechanism. It is also working to reach one of its primary goals, that is, to keep stakeholders and cofounders abreast with developments. Strong collaboration is key, and a lot of effort is being made to receive timely updates and ensure that activities undertaken are fully in line with national strategies and policies.

During the second quarter of this year, the Foundation will be signing a number of Memoranda of Understanding that will formalise various ways of collaboration with various type of entities. Through these Memoranda, the Foundation will be able to provide a series of complementary solutions to current and upcoming challenges being faced by various transport industry players.

Finally, but very importantly, it gives the Foundation for Transport immense satisfaction and gratitude that 2030 objectives and targets arising from the European Green Deal are some of the subjects planned to be discussed in National Conferences organised by His Excellency the President of Malta. This will be another opportunity for the Foundation to form part of innovative and professional propositions.