Foreword by the CEO

Foreword

It is my pleasure to present you the Malta Business Bureau Annual Report for the year 2021. This year’s Annual Report coincides with the celebration of our 25th anniversary.

The organisation was set up 25 years ago, thanks to visionaries Chevalier Anthony Cassar and the late Joseph R. Darmanin. Unfortunately, due to his passing, Mr Darmanin is not able to celebrate this tremendous achievement with us, but his legacy lives on with the organisation. I had the privilege to meet and interview both of our founders on our 20th anniversary, and I would like to share something Mr Darmanin said then:

“I never imagined the Malta Business Bureau would grow so much and through its competent staff would be so capable of diversifying and building upon the original plan to this extent. I wish to see it grow even further – that is what encourages me to this day.”

Dearest Joseph, we will strive to continue making this happen!

Our role today is different from the one the MBB was originally set up for in 1996. While the organisation was founded to assist Maltese businesses prepare for EU membership, the experience acquired in the past years has equipped the MBB with the expertise required to inform and update local businesses on relevant EU-related matters, as well as to assist our business community to continue exploiting EU and Single Market opportunities. Ultimately, the MBB takes pride in being of service to the members of its parent organisations – The Malta Chamber and The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association – on issues concerning EU affairs.

This includes identifying upcoming EU policies and legislations that will impact businesses. The MBB works closely with several stakeholders and experts in various fields to gather information and data, and contribute to consultations by the European Commission or local entities at an early stage. The MBB’s work continues to be effective through the attainment of EU funding and participation in EU programmes for the benefit of its parent organisations and the business community at large.

Winning the National Enterprise Support Award recently in October 2020, with the Energy Ecosystem initiative, is a testament to the MBB’s work and commitment towards our goals.

The work we do would not be possible without the support and cooperation of the numerous stakeholders, both local and international.

I wish to express my gratitude towards successive governments, and currently Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, whose assistance enables us to have a permanent presence in Brussels for the benefit of the Maltese business community. I would also like to thank previous MBB presidents, boards of directors and staff for their sterling work in contributing to the MBB’s success over the past 25 years!

Additionally, I would like to thank outgoing president Simon De Cesare, who has led the organisation for the past three years, the present board of directors, and our parent organisations for their trust, guidance and support. I also extend a very warm welcome to our incoming President Alison Mizzi, who I am sure will keep on leading the organisation to even greater heights.

Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks to our talented and dedicated team of people, which gives me all the reason to be excited about our future. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, it does not go unnoticed.

Looking ahead, I reiterate the MBB’s commitment to continue monitoring the developments in EU legislation and continue to support our businesses in tapping into opportunities offered by the EU.

Joe Tanti CEO Malta Business Bureau