MBB Annual Report 2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT

THIS ANNUAL REPORT IS SUPPORTED BY

FOREWORD BY THE CEO

Malta Business Bureau CEO

Joe Tanti

I am pleased to present the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) Annual Report for 2022-2023.

It has been another busy year at MBB. “Voicing Maltese Business Interests in the EU” continues to be the most appropriate tagline for the organisation. We are currently experiencing an unprecedented number of new EU rules and proposals being put forward every month, each touching upon different areas which have a direct or indirect effect on business operations. Here we are talking about a broad range of issues such as sustainability, digitalisation, skills development, and trade policy, among others. Take sustainability as an example. Businesses play a key role in addressing climate change, whether by reducing direct carbon emissions generated from operations, energy consumption, or better management of resources. All this comes at significant cost, which is difficult to absorb, especially in the context of rising inflationary pressures and tightening purse strings. European businesses are ready to do their part, but unless introduced in a smart manner and with adequate support, these new EU legislative requirements will pose competitiveness challenges for European businesses compared to counterparts outside Europe who do not face similarly strict rules.

The MBB is also doing its part. Over the past year we have conducted several in-depth assessment reports which investigate key EU proposals and their implications to the local context. These include assessment reports on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. A common outcome from these reports is the need to balance the EU goals with the impact on the real economy. The introduction of new burdens should be measured and limited to those strictly necessary.

Beyond our EU advocacy work, on the business support side, the key highlight of this year was a high-profile conference organised within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network, aimed at helping Maltese companies unlock the potential of EU direct funds for businesses. This event provided a platform for businesses to learn about the vast range of EU funding programmes. By harnessing these opportunities, businesses can accelerate their growth, drive innovation, and contribute to the economic development of Malta and beyond.

Creating opportunities for Maltese companies is central to the MBB’s mission, and I am very proud to announce that throughout this period we continued to tap into EU direct funds and participate in EU programmes. An important initiative was the COSME Tourism4.0 project, where eleven (11) tourism SMEs from Malta were awarded a Eur7,000 voucher to support their digitalisation efforts. We will be thrilled to share their stories in the coming weeks. Other key projects touched upon energy efficiency, ESG training, and education. More information on these projects and other initiatives will follow throughout this report.

These achievements aside, there are no laurels to rest upon!

At the time of writing the organisation is going through a rebranding process which will provide a holistic transformation to the MBB’s brand identity. The rebranding of MBB is aimed to strengthen the perceived values of the organisation and service offering to our parent organisations and the Maltese business community at large. The new visual identity will build on the MBB’s commitment to inform, safeguard and promote Maltese business interests in the EU.

As this Annual Report showcases, there is certainly a lot of activity going on - but this is only possible thanks to our dynamic team at MBB who remains committed to our mission. I remain indebted to our people and applaud their professionalism, dedication, and enthusiasm.

My heartfelt thanks and respect go out to MBB President Alison Mizzi and our Board of Directors who freely provide their time to guide the work we do at MBB, and the respective Presidents and CEOs of The Malta Chamber and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association for their constant support.

I thank the Maltese Government for the ongoing commitment towards the organisation, whose assistance enables the organisation to have a permanent presence in Brussels, and to build a network of reliable partners to cooperate on work areas of common interest.

I hope you enjoy reading our Annual Report and gain a greater understanding of our work which would not be possible without the collaboration of the numerous public and private stakeholders. Thank you for your continued support to the Malta Business Bureau.

REFOCUSING ON LONG-TERM CHALLENGES

THE KEY ASPECT OF BETTER REGULATION

Last year was characterised by the international energy crisis and hyperinflation. The EU has addressed this challenge by unprecedented initiatives such as the RePowerEU Plan which reduced the dependence on oil procured from Russia, reduced energy consumption, applied a controversial gas and oil cap, joint-EU gas purchases, and deployed additional measures to ramp up energy produced from renewables.

Malta Business Bureau President

Alison Mizzi

As for inflation, the European Central Bank intervened by raising interest rates regularly over the past year, which has somewhat stabilized the rate of price increases, although not completely. The economic sentiment is now better, with the European Commission forecasting a modest growth next year while inflation is expected to gradually decline.

While geo-political challenges remain with the ongoing war in Ukraine, a re-focus on addressing other long-term issues such as climate change, the digital transition, and labour market shortages is essential, particularly as we have now entered the final year of this political mandate, which concludes with the European Parliament elections to be held in May 2024.

As the European Commission proceeds with implementing its programme it is important to shift the business-as-usual attitude of EU policy makers and legislators into a more practical legislative approach that is more in touch with the real economy. The Von der Leyen Commission will probably be remembered as one of the most administrations that introduced the most administrative burdens through new reporting obligations on businesses, particularly in the areas of environment, social and corporate governance (ESG). The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU Taxonomy, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), the Green Claims Directive, the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and the Pay Transparency Directive just to mention a few such examples. In view of the current economic challenges as well as the additional burdens that such new legislation will introduce, it is now time for regulatory breathing space for business.

The Commission itself seems to have acknowledged that business cannot keep up with all the administrative burden and that it is impacting their competitiveness. Over the past months it has committed to a ‘one in one out’ principle as part of its Better Regulation strategy. This will ensure that any newly introduced burdens are offset by removing equivalent burdens in the same policy area. In its Long-Term Competitiveness Strategy published last March, the Commission went as far as committing to concrete proposals by this autumn to simplify reporting requirements and reduce them by 25%. Despite this acknowledgment and commitment, the proposed measures are somewhat flawed. To truly be effective the Commission should not aim to only replace one burden with another (one in one out) or to simplify reporting by a modest 25%, but to eliminate burdens more broadly as part of a comprehensive review, including of the legislations that were recently adopted and are still in the process of being implemented.

Positively, the Commission is committed to introducing an important tool in its internal processes prior to issuing new legislative proposals aimed at preventing future regulatory burdens which will be in the form of a Competitiveness Check. This is an important outcome from the Conference on the Future of Europe and a specific recommendation by employer representatives. The Competitiveness Check will ensure that impact assessments identify the cost of price competitiveness, international competitiveness, SME competitiveness, and the capacity to innovate. I hope that this methodology is applied correctly and consistently moving forward.

The same goes for special attention that needs to be given on the impact of revised and new legislations on territories and regions with different characteristics within the EU, particularly island states. Over the years, Maltese businesses have repeatedly emphasized that a one size fits all approach to legislation such as in policy areas of transport, state aid and taxation are creating an unlevel playing field for our operators and an unproportional burden on Maltese consumers. In this case a similar approach is required with the introduction of Territorial Proofing or an Insularity Test as part of the impact assessment process.

However, the EU legislative process does not end with the European Commission, but several changes are also made by the co-legislators: the EU Council and the European Parliament. Here too, the principles of better regulation must be applied more rigorously and in fact there are already the tools in place to ensure this. It is disappointing that the 2016 Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making has gained little or no traction, particularly the crucial provision mandating the co-legislators to conduct impact assessment of substantial amendments made to Commission proposals. The EU Council and the European Parliament have the resources to do this and should apply them with no further delay if they are to be taken seriously about their claims on prioritizing the competitiveness of European businesses.

To conclude, social progress depends on economic progress and this is contingent on international competitiveness. Better regulation is therefore key to the future prosperity of Europe. Policy makers and legislators owe this to European businesses and citizens.

MESSAGE FROM

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS

Hon. Chris Bonett

Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds

I would like to thank the Malta Business Bureau for this opportunity to share some thoughts and updates within its Annual Report. The Government has always considered organisations that represent businesses as a strong pillar of consultation, and it appreciates their contribution in being the bridge that connects the public and the private sector, thus enabling us to enact effective and relevant policies.

The business community is made up of risk takers and job creators whose entrepreneurial spirit and investment is the energy that drives our economy forward and provides a better quality of life to the families that they employ. The Government is well aware of this, as it is aware of the resources that it continuously requires to continue to flourish and to contribute to the ongoing success of our economy. Hence this is why EU Funds are being given priority, with not one single day of investment being lost. In fact, the EU funded Schemes have been designed to provide a smooth funding transition between the old Programme and the new one. Indeed, while the 31st May saw the last cut-off date for applications under the 2014-2020 Programme, fresh calls for four new Aid Schemes under the 2021-2027 Programme Period were launched on the next day, on 1st June.

The Parliamentary Secretariat for European Funds has listened to what the business community has had to say, and we have put your feedback into action. We understood that the old ways were hindering your access to finance. Against this background, we revised the present aid schemes and aimed to make them less burdensome, while maintaining the level of assurance needed to safeguard the interests of European funding obligations.

Operations have been streamlined to make things simpler and more efficient. A clearer distinction is now being made between public procurement regulations and the sound financial management that is required from the private sectors. Within this context, and on the basis of the suggestions brought forward by the business community, we aim to lessen the burden of procurement processes and continue practices that have proven to be successful.

We have implemented and will continue to implement changes that are needed to create an environment which promotes investment and growth as we are committed to simplify processes and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. Government has also looked internally and found better ways to maximise its own resources, ramping up on its communication efforts. Servizzi Ewropej f’Malta will be the go-to entity for information, support and guidance, to ensure that the business community can make the best use of EU funding opportunities.

Finally, I would like to conclude by assuring you that this is just the start. In the coming months, my office will be rolling out more schemes. What we are offering through EU Funds is opportunity. The opportunity for you to grow your investment, add more value to society, offer more quality jobs, and be part of our vision as we work towards a stronger, more resilient and more sustainable country. A modern Malta.

CEO COMPETITIVENESS REMAINS KEY

The Malta Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo and MHRA President Tony Zahra discuss the resilience and competitiveness of Malta’s economy with Sarah Muscat Azzopardi.

Resilience has become somewhat of a buzzword in recent times. Faced with an unprecedented scenario punctuated by several significant shocks, Malta’s economy continues to perform well. Still, it is not immune to the impacts of the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, chronic supply chain issues and the huge global inflationary pressures that Europe, and the world, has been facing.

According to the president of The Malta Chamber, Chris Vassallo Cesareo, supply chain issues mark a major concern for the country and for most local businesses, irrespective of their size, turnover or sector, in the form of inflation.

“This is partly imported, as the landed cost of imported goods has increased systematically due to supply chain disruptions and the increase in international energy prices resulting from the COVID pandemic, the RussiaUkraine war, and the surrounding international energy politics,” he affirms, making reference to a recent report issued by The Malta Central Bank’s Forecast2022-2025, which indicates that the GDP growth rate, which was around seven per cent in 2022, is set to drop to four per cent in 2023.

Nonetheless, Mr Vassallo Cesareo believes that Malta’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labour market, driven mainly by the quick post-pandemic rebound in tourism and high domestic consumption. “Despite the challenging market conditions over the past years, the labour market has remained extremely tight. However, shortage of labour continues to be a significant constraint on productivity and is the major contributor to cost inflation for businesses. In view of all this, competitiveness remains key,” he says.

Tony Zahra, President of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), concedes that the Maltese economy has indeed performed well when compared to neighbouring countries and the EU average. In his view, “the economic growth and consolidation of national finances prior to the crises have provided the fiscal space for Government to support businesses and households over a substantial period.” This, he says, has been crucial to keeping the economy moving despite the international slowdown.

The MHRA President goes on to acknowledge the perseverance of local entrepreneurs against this backdrop, who keep investing their energy and money in their enterprises to adapt to new realities, seek new market opportunities and retain employees.

On the tourism front, he maintains that post-COVID, Malta has seen a resurgence of tourism activity, and while the island may not yet be at the same highs it saw pre-pandemic, we are on the right track to get there. Despite this, he notes, “while tourism numbers are important to meet the current supply capacity, I would like to see more discussion on how we will secure sustainable tourism moving forward. The MHRA carrying capacity report provides a very good snapshot of what the future holds. Government must implement a strategy that balances Malta’s tourist intake together with a sustainable population level at any given time throughout the year. This will ensure a positive experience for tourists and a good standard of living for the local population.”

Another issue affecting local businesses is rising interest rates, Mr Vassallo Cesareo adds. “Presently, we are experiencing the most aggressive worldwide interest rate hikes in decades. This, together with high energy costs, is expected to usher in a slowdown in economic growth in Europe, which may ultimately pump the brakes on inflation,” he maintains, noting that interest rates have been persistently low for the past years, rendering debt cheap to service and fuelling a property boom in many countries, including Malta. As interest rates rise, The Malta Chamber President attests, investors are expected to become more cautious, and Government will have to contend with a higher cost of servicing public debt.

COMPETITIVENESS REMAINS KEY

On an EU level, the current legislative term of the EU is entering the final year, with European elections and a new European Commission mandate taking place in 2024. Directing his attention to the key EU issues on the MHRA’s mind moving forward, Mr Zahra says that the association is always very attentive of developments at EU level, because “legislation discussed and adopted in Brussels eventually impacts our operators directly or indirectly.”

He goes on to highlight a positive initiative that is currently being negotiated: a reform of short-term rentals. “For over a decade since the sharing economy digitalised short term rental accommodation and made it more accessible, we have been drawing the authorities’ attention to the fact that there was an unlevel playing field because several operators did not abide by the same standards and legal requirements as licensed hotels,” he maintains, noting that the new EU initiative looks to correct this by requiring all properties listed on online intermediary platforms such as AirBnB to be registered, and for the platforms to share data about their economic activity with national authorities. Meanwhile, he adds, “the Vat in the Digital Age Package also includes a new requirement on online platforms to charge and withhold Vat directly from users and pay this to the relevant member state. We strongly welcome these two initiatives.”

On the flip side, the MHRA President voices his concern in relation to the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Energy Tax Directive, which will see the introduction of a fuel tax on aviation and maritime operators. “While acknowledging the need to shift towards the use of greener energy, the specific nature of these industries makes it a long-term transition. Meanwhile, one cannot ignore the specific reality of peripheral and insular island states such as Malta that has no land connection to the European mainland. This tax will only result in an unproportional additional cost burden on travellers to and from Malta with no environmental gain,” he states.

Quoting the priorities listed by the European Commission, Mr Vassallo Cesareo begins by sharing his thoughts on the Green Deal. “As of now, 46 Green Deal legislative proposals have already been tabled and some are still pending. The increased regulatory burden on companies leads to rising compliance costs. It requires resources that could have been better spent on, for example, developing new circular materials and low-emission technologies,” he notes, stating that businesses need well-designed environmental and climate legislation that creates market conditions where environmental and climate benefits go hand in hand with increased competitiveness, and that foster innovation.

Meanwhile, regarding digital trade, he declares that free cross-border data flow, along with adequate protection of personal data, intellectual property rights and trade secrets is key for competitiveness of all companies. “In the absence of a multilateral framework on digital trade, growing regulatory divergence is taking place and resulting in the fragmentation of international digital markets. The proliferation of regulations is eroding the competitiveness of companies, especially of small and medium-sized companies, which have more difficulties adapting to different digital regulatory frameworks. Europe accounts for more than half of global exports of digitally delivered services,” he warns, adding that the European economy needs a workable due diligence framework that is drafted in a balanced and proportionate way. “There should be no room for legal uncertainty and fragmentation which will hamper the possibility for European companies, already facing a legally complex and crisis abundant environment, to contribute to the sustainability transition.”

On their part, the MHRA and The Malta Chamber Presidents are committed to continue steering their respective entities in their mission to aid and bolster local business in today’s unique economic scenario.

In the coming months, the MHRA will continue contributing to the national discussion on relevant issues advocating primarily for economic reason and fairness, Mr Zahra affirms, stating, “the international economy shows that we are not out of the woods yet, and therefore, the phasing out of any public support must be done gradually to avoid shocks to the economy.”

“We will also continue calling for and supporting Government and EU funding initiatives to help companies in our sector to digitalise and become more sustainable. This transition is required not only to meet our clients’ expectations but also because it will be the only way to remain competitive,” he concludes.

On behalf of The Malta Chamber, Mr Vassallo Cesareo pledges to keep strengthening the organisation’s five main pillars: Human Capital, Digitalisation, Good Governance, Access to Finance, and Ease of Doing Business.

“In the last pre-Budget document that The Malta Chamber published, we spoke about Human Capital. We feel the importance of bridging the gap between educational institutions and industry by identifying the shortages of skills vis-a-vis industry, prioritising the educational experience through the involvement of business leaders to provide a more practical experience through entrepreneurial teaching.”

With regards to ease of doing business, The Malta Chamber President continues, “we proposed to Government for the removal of duplication of due diligence by various Government entities and the excessive time to open a bank account.”

The Malta Chamber is also recommending that facilitating access to finance should address business growth and expansion, green initiatives and development of new technology, research and development and finally, skills development.

“Finally, we firmly believe in good governance,” Mr Vassallo Cesareo maintains, affirming that Government should refrain from competing directly with the private sector in the provision of services that the private sector can provide more efficiently. “The Malta Chamber’s recommendations for a Public Procurement Reform become more pertinent in the context of the rationalisation of public spending that is required to rein in the budget deficit and provide better value for taxpayer money.”

Malta Council for Science and Technology, Villa Bighi, Dawret Giovanni Bichi, Kalkara KKR 1320

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Alison Mizzi President

Simon De Cesare Vice-President

Brian Muscat Director

Dr Marthese Portelli Director

Jean-Pierre Schembri Director

Malcolm Jones Director

Sergio Vella Director

THE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Christine Said Policy Executive

Joe Tanti CEO

Daniel Debono EU Affairs Manager & Head of Brussels Operations

Michele Agius Senior Projects ExecutiveBusiness Advisory & Support

Cynthia Grech McCormick Executive Administrator

Gabriel Cassar Manager EU Policy (Sustainability)

Martina Spiteri Projects Executive

Ralph Grima Marketing & Communications Executive

Timothy Alden Senior Projects Executive (Sustainability)

HIGHLIGHTS OF EU POLICY PRIORITIES

In 2021, the Commission issued two ‘Fit For 55’ (FF55) packages which collect a set of proposals on energy and transport, aiming to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030. These include proposals such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the Emission Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime, among others. Over the last 12 months all these files have progressed significantly, with provisional agreements being found between the Council, European Parliament and Commission on all except ReFuelEU Aviation and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

The FF55 packages also included a proposal to revise the Energy Taxation Directive, which sets the applicable tax rates to be placed on energy products such as fuels. The revision would result in the introduction of taxes on the use of aviation and maritime fuel. A compromise between the 27 member states has not yet been found.

ENERGY & TRANSPORT CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Focus has also been placed on reducing the amount of waste generated and to increase the circularity of products. In this respect, under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation the Commission will put forward product requirements on aspects relating to durability, reusability, upgradability, reparability, and energy performance, among others. The proposal also creates a new Digital Product Passport which will accompany products to ensure information flows across the entire value chain, such as proper product use and recycling. The proposal is still being negotiated in both the European Parliament and the Council.

The Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation targets specifically the design, use and disposal of packaging in the EU market. It replaces the current Packaging Directive, which aims to reduce the negative environmental impacts of packaging and packaging waste, setting out specific requirements for the design, production, and management of packaging and packaging waste. The new proposal will bring packaging legislation in line with EU objectives. Among several high-level targets, all packaging should be reusable or recyclable by 2030. The measures touch upon various industries and sectors such as manufacturing, HORECA and retail. Collectively, the measures aim to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040, compared to 2018 levels.

More recently, the Commission issued a proposal for a Right to Repair Directive which seeks to strengthen common EU rules on the repair of goods while also encouraging repair ahead of the replacement. The proposal includes obligations on sellers during the legal guarantee period, as well as after. Specific measures include obligations on sellers and producers to repair goods when repair is cheaper than replacement, and provide tools, parts, and information to third party repair services.

HIGHLIGHTS OF EU POLICY PRIORITIES

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

In the context of heightened environmental awareness and action by businesses, the Commission is now seeking to distinguish between legitimate and unproven environmental claims. The Green Claims Directive aims to stop companies from making misleading claims about the environmental merits of their products and services, especially those which they cannot substantiate. The Directive is mainly targeting explicit claims made voluntarily. The specific objectives of the proposal include making green claims more reliable and comparable, preventing greenwashing, and contributing towards the circular economy.

COMPETITIVENESS & RESILIENCE

While the green transition promises to bring long-term prosperity and growth to the EU economy, in the short to medium term policymakers need to ensure business competitiveness and resilience, vis-a-vis measures taken by other jurisdictions such as the USA and China. The Net-Zero Industry Act aims to increase EU manufacturing of net-zero technologies such as renewable energy generation and energy storage, to reduce dependencies on third country imports. The Act includes a headline benchmark of sourcing at least 40% of EU net-zero technology needs from local production, through faster permitting.

Linked to this proposal, the Critical Raw Materials Act seeks to ensure a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials. The proposal has introduced several benchmarks in relation to domestic capacities for raw material extraction, processing, and recycling, and has also placed limits on the amount of raw material imported from individual third countries. These measures will collectively aim to reduce Europe's susceptibility to global supply disruptions.

To help address the financing gap in light of the Green Deal objectives, the Commission is also amending rules governing state aid. The Temporary State aid Crisis and Transition Framework will be prolonged and extended to cover more green investments such as renewable energy and energy storage. Such investments should be sped up through simplified support schemes.

Complementing this, the amended General Block Exemption Regulation will include an exemption for certain investments from notification requirements, more flexibility in the design of support schemes, and an increase in notification thresholds, and a block exemption for member state measures to regulate the price of energy produced from natural gas.

DATA ACT

Data is a critical resource for the digital economy and plays a vital role in enabling the green and digital transitions. The Data Act was established to promote innovation driven by data, facilitating its access and use by consumers and businesses while maintaining incentives to invest in generating value through data. The EU's goal is to remove barriers in line with European laws and values to make this data accessible to everyone, allowing all to benefit from its potential advantages. The Data Act is a crucial component of the data strategy, which is aimed at providing horizontal data sharing across sectors. The act aims to increase the flow of data in all sectors, from business-to-business, business-togovernment, government-to-business, and government-to-government. Among other objectives, the Data Act aims to level the playing field by protecting small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) from unfair contractual terms imposed by a more dominant bargaining partner. Additionally, the Data Act seeks to develop model contractual terms that help such companies draft and negotiate fair data-sharing contracts.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ACT

The European Commission proposed the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) to ensure the safe and lawful development and use of AI while promoting innovation and investment. AI encompasses a wide range of applications, from personalized online content to medical treatments. As AI has significant influence, the EU aims to make the proposed Act a global standard. It is a critical component of Europe's Digital Future 2020 Strategy and is the first legal framework worldwide that aims to address the safe and beneficial use of AI systems while still encouraging growth and innovation. Essentially, the Act seeks to increase the trustworthiness of AI systems in the EU economy. Despite AI's rapid evolution and increasing opportunities, it also presents significant risks regarding safety, liability, and adherence to fundamental rights. Clear definitions are crucial for businesses operating in the AI space to understand the rules their products must comply with, while for any other organisation using AI, the regulation's definition provides a better framework for understanding what AI is and how to use it safely.

HIGHLIGHTS OF EU POLICY PRIORITIES

CYBER RESILIENCE ACT

Cybersecurity events are becoming more frequent, complex, and widespread, and their impact on economic and social activities is significant. The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) was created to mitigate these risks by introducing regulations to protect digital products that were not covered by previous legislation. The EU's mission to become a cybersecurity leader led to the development of the Cyber Resilience Act, which complements existing frameworks such as the Directive on the security of Network and Information Systems and the Cybersecurity Act. The CRA framework covers tangible digital products throughout their entire lifecycle, including wired and wireless products and non-embedded software, such as password managers, antiviruses, firewalls, routers, and digital certificate issuers. These modifications to the Cyber Resilience Act are particularly relevant for businesses selling digital products or providing accompanying services, as they may have to comply with potential future requirements.

SINGLE MARKET EMERGENCY INSTRUMENT

The Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI) was introduced in 2021 as part of the EU's review of its industrial strategy in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the SMEI is to address the weaknesses, barriers, and fragmentation in the Single Market, and to equip it better to handle emergency situations by ensuring the movement of goods and people at all times. The Commission intends for the SMEI to be the instrument that can tackle the barriers that hinder free movement and disrupt supply chains during crises, and enhance the Single Market's resilience through crisis preparedness and management. The proposed regulation, which was written with the pandemic experience in mind, includes measures such as allowing the Commission to monitor supply chains and prioritise orders for emergency-relevant products. Member states would also be required to establish national reserves for critical materials and products. However, some member states have criticised the proposal for the powers it would grant the Commission, which could lead to further fragmentation of the Single Market.

For more information and support kindly contact the MBB EU Policy Team at infobrussels@mbb.org.mt

ENTERPRISE EUROPE NETWORK

The Malta Business Bureau has experienced a rewarding first year into the new Enterprise Europe Network Framework (2022-2025); a year which has shaped up to be full of opportunities. Thirty years since its inception, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) had to re-adapt its services to ensure a plain-sailing continuation of national economic growth, while facing novel economic shocks. This growth is being achieved by the means of tailored internationalisation matchmaking opportunities, increasing awareness and access to funding (European, National, and Alternative), and mentoring businesses to become more innovative, resilient, and sustainable. This holistic support can only be provided thanks to diversified expertise found within the Maltese EEN Consortium (CUBE-MT), comprising of Malta Enterprise, the Malta Chamber, the Malta Business Bureau, and the Malta Council for Science and Technology.

Over the last year, the Consortium has focused on making the local business community aware of its EU-funded support services, utilizing numerous physical events, poised to push the European business agenda in Malta; resilience, sustainability, and innovation. On the aspects of digitalisation and innovation, Malta Enterprise hosted the 'Enterprise Innovation Conference' in February, to promote advanced digital technologies for Maltese businesses with the aim of enhancing efficiency in the manufacturing process, internal communications, and point of sales, among other business operations. The conference brought together more than 100 businesses and a myriad of local and international experts. The crucial element of sustainability was addressed in an event by the Malta Chamber in November 2022, entitled 'The Road to Decarbonisation', which highlighted funding and entrepreneurial opportunities available to assist the decarbonisation efforts within the Maltese private sector.

This brings us to the final economic pillar, which is that of preparing Maltese businesses to become more resilient to economic shocks and ever-changing global circumstances. One way of achieving this development is through European Direct Funding programmes, such as LIFE, Erasmus+, Single Market Programme, and Horizon 2020, amongst others. The Maltese business community is yet to be familiarised with these programmes as business take-up is still relatively low. To connect the two, the MBB, in collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology, hosted an information business conference on the 26th of May. The conference, entitled 'Navigating EU Direct Funds: Unlocking

Financial Opportunities for Business’, focused on shedding light on the potential benefits of these often-overlooked funding programmes, by bringing in success stories, local and international funding experts, and direct accessibility to voucher schemes for the digitisation of businesses. The event attracted more than a hundred and fifty local businesses and tens of national funding intermediaries.

The EEN project has enabled Maltese businesses to export their products and services to over sixty countries worldwide, in addition to procuring international expertise, tools, and sectorial best practices (through a Hub-and-Spoke model), for the continued development of the local business community. With the new client journey approach, MBB is embarking on numerous long-term businesssupport relationships, offering tailored advice according to the evolving needs of growing businesses. While in previous years, MBB has had the most success in supporting businesses in the industries of ICT and Culture & Creativity, the past year has presented an opportunity to be linked with the industries of food & beverage, software-as-a-service, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, among others. Efforts have also continued to provide expert business development advice to numerous SMEs, supporting them in areas such as human resources, recruitment, preparation of business plans, local and international supply networks, and sustainability auditing, among others.

Through the EEN, the MBB reinforced its efforts to be the national business community’s voice in Europe, by channelling their input and feedback directly to the European Commission in the process of consultations ahead of new legislative proposals. Vital feedback was also gathered through interactive seminars and webinars, stakeholder meetings and online surveys. Some of the most relevant topics last year included the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, the Packaging Travel Directive, the Vat in the Digital Age Package, and the Combined Transport Directive.

For more information and support kindly contact Senior Project's Executive – Business Advisory & Support, Michele Agius at magius@mbb.org.mt

For more information about the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), you may visit the official website or the EEN Malta Facebook page fb.com/EnterpriseEuropeNetworkMalta

TAPROOM

The Erasmus+ TAPROOM project: Promoting the Production and Marketing of Organic and CraftBeer, concluded successfully at the end of 2022 by means of a business seminar and a final project conference, in June and December respectively.

The events served multiple purposes, but primarily aimed to raise awareness about the MBB-led TAPROOM project outcomes, produced in tandem with four European partners from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany and Italy. The two occasions also succeeded in raising substantial awareness towards an emerging niche industry in Malta, bringing together over 125 participants, ranging from craft beer producers, farmers, local and international industry experts, national funding authorities, educational institutions and academies, among others.

One of the most notable project outputs was the TAPROOM Training Course, which comprises of ten modules explaining the entire production process, from farm to beer tap, including the post-production marketing and sales most effective in this particular industry. The course was developed by experts who are actively engaged in the industrial process, and equipped with visual, interactive and assessment-based resources to ensure the utmost quality. Another useful tool which the partners jointly developed was the National Guidebook for Certification, which outlines the legal requirements for the official establishment of a brewery, tailored to the different requirements in the five participating countries. This will serve to make the niche craft and organic beer industry more accessible to aspiring brewers and entrepreneurs, supporting its growth and development. All the TAPROOM tools and content have been uploaded to an online Interactive Repository Platform to ensure accessibility to all, at any time, free of charge.

MBB’s greatest achievement from the two year project was that of creating a working cluster of small and micro-brewers, who are operating closer than ever before on multiple opportunities which have materialised from the Project. The creation of the cluster has facilitated the process of procuring crucial support for the group of brewers, such as access to funding, internationalisation, and business development mentoring through the Enterprise Europe Network. The cluster also joined forces to collectively display the brewing and bottling process by means of the TVM+ programme INTRAPRIZA, which aired in April.

Despite coming to an end, plans are already underway for the development of a TAPROOM Scale Up, which would see the original project enhanced and expanded through digitalisation, advanced business mentoring, and internationalisation, among other beneficial tools for small and micro-entrepreneurs in Malta. The future outlook for TAPROOM is bright as MBB expands its expertise in providing tailored support to other emerging niche industries in Malta, such as that of organic ingredients, and traditional skills, among others.

For more information and support kindly contact Senior Project’s Executive – Business Advisory & Support, Michele Agius, at magius@mbb.org.mt

LEADER SCALE UP

To reinforce its growing involvement in supporting the educational and vocational sector, MBB has renewed its participation in the LEADER project (2021-2022), developing into the LEADER Scale Up project (2023-2024).

The philosophy of the Scale Up project has remained that of supporting soft skills among youths, such as leadership, public speaking, communication, creativity, and critical thinking, amongst others. This effort is a consequence of recent labour trends which have highlighted the rising need for these soft skills among new employees.

While the founding project aimed to promote these skills by using digital resources such as an e-learning platform and an interactive mobile application, the new project will look to expand these two resources through additional scenarios, enhanced user interfaces, increased user possibilities, and revamped designs and layouts, among other components. Considering the crucial participation of youths in society and the world of careers, it was decided to focus on these digital tools to ensure alignment with their requirements and direct interests.

In the month of April, MBB, together with Business Leaders Malta, has undertaken an exercise to improve these pre-existing tools through a set of focus groups, comprising both original and new users of the application. These focus groups were carried out in all

five participating countries: Denmark, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, and Spain. Reports will be compiled from all involved partners and will be joined together to create one European report, to take a cohesive approach to address the improvements. This process took place during the second project partners’ meeting, held in Malta in May 2023.

Moreover, the project also considered that physical and traditional tools can also contribute to the development of soft skills, which will take fruition with the LEADER Card game. The purpose of this Card game will be to enable the development of soft skills offline to increase accessibility in cases where the internet is not available or where youth do not have access to digital devices. This also makes it possible for the resource to be used in classrooms by teachers with students. The improved and newly-produced tools will be promoted in dissemination events in the coming months, for all interested individuals. For more information and support kindly contact Senior Project’s Executive – Business Advisory & Support Michele Agius at magius@mbb.org.mt

TRANSFORMWORK

Funded through the Social Dialogue Programme, the MBB participated in the TransFormWork project whereby it supported national social partners, including The Malta Chamber and the General Workers Union to implement the EU autonomous framework agreement on digitalisation in Malta.

The project included several reach out activities and discussion among social partners and their members on aspects relating to the impact of digitalisation at the work place. During last year, two business seminars were held. During the first event, organised in June 2022 and entitled: ‘Future Skills and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence at the Work Place’, it was acknowledged that there is a strong need to keep up with the fast pace with which the world is changing and the constant change that comes from fluctuating consumer behaviour and trends in technology. Skills are a key component to business competitiveness and quality employment but given the way economies are evolving it is most worrying that companies are struggling with a lack of skills across the board, but especially digital skills. To keep up with such challenges, social partners must address the disjointedness between industry demands and the education system.

A second event held in February 2023 and entitled: ‘Ripple Effect of AI’, addressed how Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming an integral part of businesses’ operations and that there must be continuous awareness of the opportunities that AI brings to improve productivity but also about the risks if new technology is left unchecked. Social partners strongly agreed that any digitalisation and AI should still be human focused and led.

For more information and support kindly contact EU Affairs Manager & Head of Brussels Operations, Daniel Debono at ddebono@mbb.org.mt

TORRE

Since the commencement of the project a year ago, the ToRRe (‘Building Towards Retail Resilience’) project has seen some exciting progress and development. Embracing the drive towards digitalisation in a post-pandemic context cannot be done unless digital skills become a priority.

Covid-19 shed further light on the importance of increasing digital skills education, during and beyond major crises such as the pandemic, and this is where EU projects such as ToRRe come in. Digital skills refer to the set of knowledge and skills required by an individual to effectively use information and communication technologies (ICTs).

In a world where the digital transformation has impacted the way we live, work, and learn, ToRRe’s main aim is to help the retail SME sector reinvent itself by equipping it with the necessary tools and skills to do so – digital skills. MBB, together with 5 partner organisations based in Bulgaria, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain, is supporting retail SMEs in gaining the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in a digital society and economy.

The first half of the project’s implementation included months of research and consultation with both retail employees and employers as well as industry stakeholders in the partner countries . MBB collaborated with local experts such as EY Malta to assess the local context and identify the gaps and needs that are holding Malta’s retail businesses back. It was found that having a digital presence has become a “survival requirement” for local retailers, rendering digital skills more crucial than ever.

MBB Projects Executive Martina Spiteri presented Malta’s findings when the ToRRe consortium came together for the first time at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vratsa, Bulgaria, last June. Based upon the other partner countries’ research outcomes, the project team agreed on a training model that addresses the most indemand digital skills in the retail SME industry.

Partners consulted with higher education ICT institutions as well as technical experts to ensure the training being developed was correct and well-informed. ToRRe will offer a set of training modules which tackle topics such as Business Intelligence (BI) and Digital Marketing, both crucial to today’s retail business, making room for both personal and professional development. Since an e-learning model provides learners with a flexible, interactive, and cost-effective way to improve their digital skills, the ToRRe partners agreed that this would be the most ideal training model.

This May, the partners met once again, this time in Malta, hosted by MBB to finalise the last stages of the digital skills training. A ToRRe online training space is being planned, which would have within it learning content, tools, and resources to improve digital competences of the trainees. It was also agreed that it is crucial to make the interactive training programme easily accessible to learners. The ToRRe team is also focused on the project’s major next step – the pilot phase. During the piloting phase, envisioned to take place towards the end of September, partners will invite a group of retail employees and stakeholders (the mentees) to test out the ToRRe digital skills training platform in a multiplier event. Digital mentors will also be invited to deliver the training and gather the mentees’ feedback.

For more information and support kindly contact Projects Executive Martina Spiteri on mspiteri@mbb.org.mt or visit the project website at www.torreretail.eu

TOURISM4.0

In collaboration with a consortium of Croatian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish partners, the MBB has embarked on an exciting COSME project – Tourism4.0. This project aims to support SMEs in the tourism industry seeking to embrace the digital transformation through the exchange of best practices and mentoring support.

Tourism4.0 training programme. These webinars cover 3 main pillar-topics:

• Pillar #1: Technology and solutions towards productivity & efficiency

Apart from these capacity-building activities, however, this project is also offering financial support to its beneficiary SMEs with the aim to stimulate digitalisation and innovation uptake in Europe’s tourism sector.

In November 2022, the project partners launched the call for applications inviting interested tourism SMEs to apply for the opportunity to become beneficiaries of Tourism4.0. The selected SMEs would receive training and financial assistance to prepare their business for the digital transformation. To facilitate this transition, a voucher scheme worth €7,000 was earmarked for each these SMEs to invest and adopt digital technologies and innovations suitable for their organisation. The European consortium received over 159 applications, which underwent evaluation by an appointed Evaluation Committee to ensure a fair and transparent process. A total of 60 tourism SMEs were finally selected, 11 of these being Maltese companies, including local travel agencies, tour operators, as well as hotels.

Since April, the project partners have initiated a series of online webinars as part of the

• Pillar #2: Digital sustainability and low carbon solutions

• Pillar #3: Resilience: safety and complianceguidance solutions.

The webinars feature digital mentors, technical experts, and technology solution providers as speakers. Recordings of these webinars are made available on the project’s YouTube account. The MBB organised its first webinar in collaboration with Hospitality Solutions Malta in mid-June. In addition to the webinars, the partners will provide other valuable resources, such as pills of knowledge, infographics, and other useful materials which are going to be made accessible online for tourism SMEs to refer to. Promoting innovation and digitalisation as a journey for SMEs is the way forward for an economy like Malta’s, that is heavily dependent on tourism.

For more information and support kindly contact Projects Executive Martina Spiteri on mspiteri@mbb.org.mt or visit the project website at tourism4-0.eu

DIGITOUR

As the EU goes through the green and digital transformation, digital skills have become the current demand in the labour market, especially since there is a major skills shortage in Europe. Preparing the tourism workforce for the digital future by tackling the digital skills gap is the main aim of the DIGITOUR project.

The MBB, in collaboration with the Business Development Friesland (BDF), EOLAS S.L., Eurodimensions, IDEC S.A., and the Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP), launched this new Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training (VET) project in July 2022.

Agreeing that a revival of the tourism industry post-Covid-19 will only be possible if the industry builds on its digital skills, the partners came together to form a strong consortium for DIGITOUR. The project presents an opportunity for SMEs in the tourism sector to enhance their innovation capacity by skilling, upskilling, and reskilling their human resource base. Overall, DIGITOUR points towards strengthened resilience of Europe’s tourism sector, sustained industry collaboration, and development of an industry-based digital toolkit that supports the transformation of SMEs into innovative, modern organisations.

Following the research phase of the project, the DIGITOUR partnership met in Badajoz, Spain last October to discuss the results of this important first phase. The conclusions drawn from the surveys and interviews with tourism SMEs, stakeholders, and experts in each of the 5 different countries were important to not only assess the skills required by the industry but also to get hands-on knowledge of the current digital skills gaps. From Malta, MBB received a large number of survey responses, indicating a

high interest in the level of digital skills locally. By asking the same questions to different audiences in different countries, the objective was to get diverse perspectives and feedback before outlining the training needs. An evaluation of all the main outcomes from each country indicated that there is a persistent need for digital skills training in Greece, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain alike.

The outcomes guided the DIGITOUR partners in their endeavour in developing specific and focused high-quality learning best suited to tourism SMEs. In May, the partners met for the second time in Malta, hosted by MBB. The objective of this meeting was to discuss the training content developed so far and to come up with some best strategies to ensure that the end product meets the needs of modern businesses in tourism. Support materials and useful resources will also be made available to trainees and will be imbedded in the DIGITOUR digital skills e-learning platform.

For more information and support kindly contact Projects Executive Martina Spiteri on mspiteri@mbb.org.mt or visit the project website at www.digitourproject.eu

WE MAKE

The Malta Business Bureau (MBB) partnered with The Malta Chamber to implement the WE MAKE projectWater and Energy Management and Knowledge Transfer in Manufacturing Enterprises. This project was funded by the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) and aims to provide energy audits to the manufacturing sector in order to guide businesses on improving energy consumption and operating efficiency. The project also offers information on various financial investments.

As part of this initiative, events have been organised according to three categories; Research & Innovation, Best Practices, and lastly, on Financing. For the first category, webinars have been organised on industryacademia collaboration, with the University of Malta, MCST and Malta Enterprise coming together to showcase case studies of energy savings projects implemented by businesses. Best practice workshops for energy efficiency interventions in manufacturing companies have discussed topics such as air compression, heating & cooling systems, as well as energy monitoring software and operations, amongst others. On the financing front, to assist companies in identifying the correct grants applicable to them, funding institutions which also included the Measures & Support Division from the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands, as well as private banks.

The project has encouraged the uptake of energy audits amongst SMEs, as well as collected industry data to provide a clearer picture to the Energy & Water Agency as to the needs of the business community. Subsequently, a stakeholder group was established for partners to discuss cross-cutting energy issues directly with the institutions.

Furthermore, the project has organised group mentoring sessions whereby best practice companies guide SMEs to identify potential projects. De La Rue and Baxter held sessions in which they showcased their air compression interventions, leading to significant savings. Toly has also offered guidance on heating & cooling using its system as a high-performing case study.

Interested businesses are encouraged to contact the project partnership for further information on available support schemes, energy audits, and to register their interest in these workshops.

For more information and support kindly contact

Timothy Alden, Senior Projects Executive - Sustainability, at talden@mbb.org.mt

GREENCHAMBERS

The GreenChambers project aims to address the knowledge and training gap in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies among business associations. The project recognizes the need for associations to adapt their assessment systems and provide education and training in ESG fields as part of a holistic business strategy. By capacitating professionals from cross-sector SMEs, the project aims to foster and upskill leaders who will be able to further disseminate knowledge necessary for the green transition.

By developing a train-the-trainer programme for staff, the project will enable them to guide SMEs with a focus on ESG objectives and measurements. Through working seminars, partners will evaluate different VET methodologies and determine the most suitable format for the ESG courses. This work will entail the development of quality content via learning pathways based on data collected through focus groups with SMEs from across the participating member states. The participating trainers will then implement the ESG plan within their business associations, with supervision from the project partners. An evaluation process will be conducted to validate the trainers’ knowledge and certification in the ESG field.

The project offers a quality and innovative training model based on cooperation, experiential learning, and peer learning among a network of European business support organisations.

In addition to these specific objectives, the partners from Malta, Spain, Cyprus, Ireland, Poland and Slovenia aim to establish a durable and quality relationship among themselves through effective cooperation within the framework of the project.

Timothy Alden, Senior Projects Executive - Sustainability, at talden@mbb.org.mt

ENERGYEFFICIENCY4SME

The EnergyEfficiency4SME project aims to accelerate the transition of EU companies towards a sustainable growth model, in line with the objectives of the EU Green Deal. The project focuses on increasing the uptake of energy audit measures in companies, and addressing the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing audit recommendations.

The role of business support organisations and think tanks is crucial in providing support to companies through best practice sharing, capacity building, and benchmarking, ultimately leading to a higher rate of concrete implementation of audit recommendations.

The consortium behind this proposal consists of 24 implementing partners from 10 countries, namely Malta, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Estonia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Austria, all passionate and committed to supporting companies in implementing energy audit recommendations.

The EnergyEfficiency4SME project specifically targets sectors encompassing accommodation and food service activities, manufacturing in the agri-food sector, and manufacturing in the metalwork sector. These sectors were selected for being energy intensive.

The project will also identify and analyse best practices from large companies and derive relevant cost-effective recommendations for SMEs in the

targeted sectors. It will define energy consumption measurement and energy audit reporting standards. Furthermore, the project will streamline information to facilitate access to funding schemes for energy performance improvement actions.

The Malta Business Bureau will be creating a database of financing mechanisms from across the participating member states, and will coordinate the setting up of support desks for energy efficiency amongst the project partners. In parallel, it will be organising an economic study relevant to the target sectors, focused on energy efficiency and financing needs of businesses.

For more information and support kindly contact

Timothy Alden, Senior Projects Executive - Sustainability, at talden@mbb.org.mt

DRIVING CHANGE THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP UNLEASHING ECONOMIC

SOCIAL IMPACT POTENTIAL AND

Founded by the Malta Business Bureau and the University of Malta, the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (FPEI) continued its important work throughout 2022, promoting and establishing an entrepreneurial mindset in a world recovering from a pandemic and searching for stability.

Established through a collaboration between the Malta Business Bureau and the University of Malta, the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (FPEI) serves to promote and support all forms of entrepreneurship. By working with local and international partners, the FPEI establishes new initiatives and provides the tools and resources needed to sustain local entrepreneurs throughout their business journey.

EU PROJECTS: CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT LEARNERS (CORAL)

January saw the ending of CORAL - an Erasmus+ EU project, named ‘Creating Opportunities for Adult Learners’ (CORAL). Launched in 2019 and funded by the EU together with another 8 European partners from the Adult Education arena, this project developed various training tools based on the key skills and competencies of self-employed entrepreneurs, to assist adults considering self-employment or embarking on entrepreneurship.

EU PROJECTS: SOFT SKILLS DIGITAL LEARNING FOR THE ICT WORKFORCE (SKILL)

FPEI is the leading partner on this KA2 Erasmus+ project that aims to address the soft skills gap and increase the competitiveness of ICT SMEs and micro-firms.

In the context of rapid socio-economic change, exponential advances in technology, and the burgeoning ICT sector of the emerging fourth industrial revolution, business leaders identified a growing need for managers and employees who possess soft skill capacities, such as critical thinking, people management, etc. Yet, most ICT small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro-firms cannot afford soft skills training programs especially in these difficult times. This project offers an ICT sector soft skills framework and an innovative, engaging ICT soft skills curriculum with teaching and learning resources that are all freely-available via a device-agnostic e-learning platform.

Through the tireless efforts of FPEI and Zaar, local entrepreneurs of all levels and experience can access the guidance, training or funding required to help them launch an impactful business enterprise, sustaining Malta’s economy both today and for many years to come.

ZAAR CROWDFUNDING

At the start of 2022, Giselle Borg Olivier took over the running and management of FPEI, and with it, Zaar - Malta’s only donation and reward-based crowdfunding platform.

As the Foundation’s flagship project, Zaar, Malta’s donation and reward-based crowdfunding platform, continues offering people a platform for alternative financing methods. Beyond offering a means of financial support to local entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs, Zaar also offers administrative and promotional support to all campaign owners. Through the use of Zaar’s online crowdfunding platform, this alternative finance model has made funding more accessible to the local community, including start-ups, entrepreneurs, voluntary organisations, and students.

In 2022, Zaar registered a success rate of almost 70 percent across the campaigns with most campaigns falling under the Community heading, followed by the Business category - a clear sign of the impact left by Covid-19.

Throughout the year, promotion for all campaigns was provided through social media platforms, press marketing campaigns, and newsletters, to spread the word about the projects and the Zaar platform.

Zaar remains a long-standing gold member of Eurocrowd (previously known as the European Crowdfunding Network [ECN]). Following the transitional period for implementing the European Crowdfunding Service Provider Regulation (ECSPR) for equity and lending-based crowdfunding launched by the EU in November 2020, Zaar kept updated with the proceedings of the regulation, attending CrowdCamp in Bilbao, Spain in June 2022, organised by ECN, where relevant updates, information, and networking took place. This was important to keep abreast of the developments in the industry and to understand the requirements for this setup.

While Zaar was established to address the financial barriers to entrepreneurship through offering an alternative means of finding finance, the FPEI continues to offer holistic support to local entrepreneurs via other initiatives.

INITIATIVES

The entrepreneurial course, Entrepreneurship for Creatives, funded by Arts Council Malta, continued with another cohort of creatives attending the various sessions that were delivered related to different areas of entrepreneurship, and how these can be applied to a creative mindset. To complement these sessions, Zaar also provided a crowdfunding clinic whereby the intricacies of crowdfunding were explained and people had the opportunity to ask questions related to the topic and how crowdfunding could help them achieve their financial goals.

The FPEI team contributed to various initiatives such as the mentoring of young entrepreneurs as part of the JA Malta Company Programme; participating in the mentoring and training process of Seedgreen - a JCI Malta and MEEE Accelerator/ValidatorProgramme; promoting certain crowdfunding campaigns through television and radio interviews, and obtaining a stakeholder pass and stand at the Malta Startup Festival.

In a bid to improve its online presence and engage with more entrepreneurs, the FPEI website was redesigned and relaunched, with plans to put together a membership business directory.

EU PROJECTS: INCLUSION THROUGH CROWDFUNDING (INCROWD)

Zaar also continued contributing to the Erasmus+ project INCrowd. This 2-year project is led by ECN and raises awareness and offers training regarding the benefits and advantages of crowdfunding among disadvantaged groups in the community.

Following a series of training sessions, that introduced people to the concept of crowdfunding and its relevant business models, to inspire them to consider crowdfunding as an alternative finance model for their business, FPEI provided participants with the opportunity to attend the first international crowdfunding academy in Brussels, Belgium. Another series of training sessions was organised in 2022, with a cohort from that group attending a second crowdfunding academy in Padua, Italy.

More information about the FPEI can be found online at www.fpei.mt

ENERGY AUDIT

ENERGY AUDIT WHY?

WHY GO FOR AN ENERGY AUDIT?

WHY GO FOR AN ENERGY AUDIT?

An energy audit is a detailed analysis of your energy consumption, done by a certified energy auditor. This would result in a series of recommendations to improve the enterprise’s energy efficiency and in return, give you the possibility to potentially save thousands of Euro, even at zero investment.

An energy audit is a detailed analysis of your energy consumption, done by a certified energy auditor. This would result in a series of recommendations to improve the enterprise’s energy efficiency and in return, give you the possibility to potentially save thousands of Euro, even at zero investment.

ENERGY AUDIT SCHEME FOR SMEs

ENERGY AUDIT SCHEME FOR SMEs

The Energy & Water Agency manages a refund scheme for SMEs whose energy consumption exceeds 75,000kWh and are interested in conducting an energy audit.

APPLY

APPLY

NOW

& BENEFIT FROM UP TO €5,000

For more information contact us on: energyefficiency@gov.mt or call on 22 292 558

For more information contact us on: energyefficiency@gov.mt or call on 22 292 558

Applications are online now at energywateragency.gov.mt/schemes

Applications are online now at

CMBS’ Unique Strategy Revolutionising Learning ‘Campus to Industry’

A fresh approach to education is crucial in the complex, ever-evolving world of business and industry. The Central Mediterranean Business School (CMBS) is leading the way, forging an innovative path that intertwines academia and the world of work in ways previously unseen.

At the core of CMBS’ visionary approach lies ‘Sites of Learning’ (SOL), an educational model that directly merges academic pursuits with industrial realities. By working in tandem with industry partners, CMBS tailormakes qualifications to address specific organisational requirements, aligning education with the real-world needs of the industry.

Since 2013, CMBS has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional education in Malta. Their parttime learning programmes cater to working individuals directly or through companies seeking to enhance their employees’ skills.

CMBS’ approach to education goes beyond just imparting knowledge; it’s about preparing students for their industry’s real-world demands and challenges. With the innovative ‘campus to industry’ strategy, CMBS is reshaping education, providing learners with an industry-focused experience that enjoys global recognition. In an era where change is the only constant, CMBS’ proactive, forward-thinking strategy is priming a new generation of learners and professionals ready and equipped to meet the dynamic needs of their fields.

The SOL model is one of the latest additions to CMBS’ education offerings, making the institution a trailblazer in Malta.

CMBS is now giving students the unique opportunity to gain local and UK qualifications in tandem. Students enrolled in, for example, the Work-Based Learning MBA can also secure an MBA from Coventry University London.

Another ground-breaking initiative that bridges academia and professional qualifications is CMBS’ unique ACCA Accelerated Work Study Programme. This demonstrates CMBS’ commitment to align education with industry requirements. Students pursuing the BSc in Accountancy and Finance at CMBS secure exemptions to all the foundation papers of ACCA, the globally recognised professional body for chartered certified accountants.

It’s clear that at CMBS, reinventing education means making sure it opens the right doors for its students, both locally and internationally and further cement CMBS’ role as a forward-thinking institution that works closely with industry and international accrediting bodies to ensure its students are industry-ready and globally competitive.

CMBS is preparing today’s learners to become tomorrow’s leaders in its relentless quest to reinvent education. By fostering an environment where teaching and industry synergise, CMBS enables a robust, futureproof workforce. The future of education is here, and it’s happening at CMBS.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

7 June 2022

ToRRe Project Meeting in Vratsa, Bulgaria

The ToRRe project team met in Vratsa, Bulgaria with the objective of reviewing the findings from the research conducted by all project partners at industry level. The partners used the data to formulate a training methodology. The MBB was represented by Projects Executive Martina Spiteri and Executive Administrator Cynthia Grech McCormick.

22 June 2022

The MBB together with The Malta Chamber and in collaboration with the General Workers Union organised a business seminar on ‘Future Skills and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence at the Work Place’, two key topics from the EU autonomous framework agreement on digitalisation. The event was organised as part of the EU TransFormWork Project, which is funded by the EU Social Dialogue Programme.

5-7 July 2022

LIFE FOSTER project final conference

The final conference of the LIFE FOSTER project was held at the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, Italy. The event provided an opportunity to bring together project partners and stakeholders to share the key project results and outcomes. MBB Project Manager for LIFE FOSTER Gabriel Cassar presented MBB’s activities, including the food waste reduction video series with chefs.

7 July 2022

WEMAKE Business seminar on EU funding

The MBB organized a business seminar in which best practices by businesses experienced in the application process of EU funding, particularly in the area of sustainability was shared. The companies discussed the main challenges and how these could be resolved.

12 July 2022

Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

The MBB organised a business session on the European Commission’s ESPR proposal , which is expected to impact several economic sectors including manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers. This provided an opportunity for affected businesses to learn more about the proposed legislation and provide feedback directly to EU policymakers. The discussion focused on the importance of only applying necessary product requirements, safeguarding intellectual property, and avoiding overregulation.

20 July 2022

The MBB organised an information and networking event aimed to promote the Erasmus+ TAPROOM project within the local craft and organic beer business community, showcasing the project work completed during the first year of the project by the five European project partners. The seminar also served to update the related stakeholders regarding the project’s scope and actions for the following months, to ensure the vital engagement of small Maltese businesses. The main presentation was provided by MBB Senior Projects Executive Michele Agius, who encouraged the participants to contribute towards shaping the outcomes of the project. Participants included representatives and founders of small craft and organic breweries, as well as other entrepreneurs, farmers of organic and raw ingredients, representatives from the vocational educational institutions, investors, and others.

Business session on the Ecodesign for

Business event introducing the TAPROOM project

1 August 2022

Businesses Present Winning Energy Case Studies

As part of the WE MAKE Project, the MBB, Malta Chamber and the Energy and Water Agency held a workshop where businesses shared their best practice experience on how they tapped into energy and water financing opportunities in order to complete a variety of energy and water efficiency projects.

16 September 2022

Introducing the New Data Act Webinar

The MBB organised a webinar on the EU Data Act. This aims to clarify who can create value from data and under which conditions. The proposal provides for a data strategy on horizontal data sharing that extends across all sectors. The MBB organised an informative webinar during which the proposed Act, its aims and how this affects businesses in Malta was presented and discussed among representatives from the European Commission, the Maltese Government and other local stakeholders. Participants included operators from the manufacturing and retail sectors dealing with IoT products, as well as cloud hosting services and data-driven companies.

4 October 2022

Business seminar on the Corporate

Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D)

The MBB held a business session on the CS3D proposal. This Directive, which complements several other EU Directives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Taxonomy Regulation, looks to improve the Environment, Social and Governance responsibility of companies.

The business session was introduced by MBB President, Alison Mizzi. Dr. Jessica Borg from Grant Thornton presented the outcomes of an assessment report that was conducted for the MBB. This was followed by a panel discussion that included the participation of Dr. Ivan Sammut, legal advisor to the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Clint Flores, Head of ESG at Bank of Valletta; and Ms. Nadine Magro, Assistant Legal Secretary at Simonds Farsons Cisk plc. The event was moderated by MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono.

The full MBB assessment report on the Corporate Sustainability and Due Diligence Directive can be viewed from www.mbb.org.mt

11-12 October 2022

TransFormWork meeting in Dublin, Ireland

MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono and Policy Executive

Christine Said participated in a TransFormWork Project meeting in Dublin, Ireland. The meeting focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the ‘Human in Control’ Principle and respect for ‘Human Dignity’. Both topics were discussed with experts in the field. Other topics explored were the challenge of teleworking, and connecting and disconnecting, the challenge of digital skills and training. Ms. Diana Miceli, Projects Manager at The Malta Chamber, and Ms. Riccarda Darmanin, Section Secretary at the General Workers Union, were also part of the Maltese delegation.

MBB CALENDAR OF EVENTS

16 October 2022

DIGITOUR partners came together in Badajoz, Spain to discuss the outcomes drawn from the research phase of the project. This stage is crucial for Erasmus+ projects as it highlights the existing skill gaps in Europe’s key sectors where in this case, the focus was on the tourism sector. During the meeting, the findings from Greece, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, and Spain were presented. Based on the feedback received, the DIGITOUR team went on to develop a tailored digital skills training programme suitable for tourism SMEs. The MBB was represented by CEO Joe Tanti and Projects Executive Martina Spiteri.

31 October 2022

2 December 2022

TAPROOM Final Project Conference

The TAPROOM Erasmus+ project came to a close with an event at Malta’s iconic Farsons Brewhouse. The TAPROOM project aimed to Promote the Production and Marketing of Organic and Craft Beer. Through the collective effort of five European partners, TAPROOM also delved into the processes necessary to get from farm to beer glass to elevate Malta’s and Europe’s craft and organic beer industry, increasing its awareness and accessibility to the public. With over 80 attendees, the event hosted a mix of local and European panels. The conference highlighted the challenges and opportunities experienced by small craft brewers.

A business session was held at the Toly factory focusing on heating and cooling systems from an academic and business technology perspectives. The link with renewables was also explored, and innovative technology such as geothermal heating & cooling was showcased. The event was followed by a site visit of the factory led by Toly Chief Officer (Technology & Sustainability) Olaf Zahra.

25 November 2022

BusinessEurope Council of Presidents

Heating & Cooling in Manufacturing in Stockholm, Sweden

MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono participated in the Business Europe Council of Presidents that took place in Stockholm, Spain. He accompanied The Malta Chamber President Marisa Xuereb and CEO Dr. Marthese Portelli, who together with another 40 members federations of BusinessEurope endorsed the Stockholm Declaration. The main focus was on the need to have peace and prosperity through trade and economic integration. Doing so is vital with the ongoing war in Ukraine and to allow Europe to continue playing its role in an extremely tense geopolitical context. The declaration also highlighted the need for an environment that is attractive for investments in Europe, which generates longterm growth and facilitates job creation, and to support the ever so-needed transition towards a greener and more digital society. The meeting also saw the participation of Mr. Stefano Mallia, President of the Employers Group of the European Economic and Social Committee.

9-10 January 2023

TransFormWork meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus

MBB Policy Executive Christine Said participated in a TransFormWork partners meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus. The progress of the project actions were discussed. The four main themes covered by the project include: Digital Skills, Modalities of Connecting and Disconnecting, Artificial Intelligence and Human in Control Principle and Human Dignity and Surveillance. Ms. Diana Miceli, Projects Manager at The Malta Chamber was also part of the Maltese delegation.

WEMAKE Business session on

DIGITOUR meeting in Badajoz, Spain

18 January 2023

Energy Monitoring in Manufacturing

A WEMAKE business seminar was organised with a focus on measurement as the key to energy efficiency. Having cutting edge energy monitoring software and Building Management Systems (BMS) is a crucial component of becoming more sustainable. Furthermore, energy monitoring systems can benefit from digitalisation funds. Therefore, both Malta Enterprise and the Measures and Support Division were invited to share digitalisation schemes, while manufacturing companies also shared their best practices in energy monitoring.

The Malta Chamber and The Malta Business Bureau in collaboration with the General Workers Union organised a business seminar – The Ripple Effect of AI. This event was organised as part of the EU TransFormWork Project, which is funded by the EU Social Dialogue Programme. The TransFormWork Project aims at bringing together social partners for the digital transformation of the world of work. As Artificial Intelligence increasingly becomes an integral part of businesses’ operations, there must be continuous awareness of the opportunities that AI brings to improve productivity but also about the risks if new technology is left unchecked. The seminar included a discussion on the usefulness of the application on AI in the workplace when the necessary checks and balances are in place.

The MBB held an informative webinar discussing the details of the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and the new requirements for businesses. The European Commission’s CRA proposal marks the first comprehensive step in finding collective solutions towards enhanced cybersecurity at EU-level.

The webinar was attended by operators from the manufacturing and retail sectors dealing with Internet of Things (IoT) and digital products that are both wired and wireless as well as non-embedded software. Other interventions were made by officials from the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands, and Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce.

MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono participated in the final conference of the TransFormWork project in Sofia, Bulgaria. During the event, he moderated a panel discussion on the delicate balance between requirement of workplace monitoring and legal/ethical risks of excessive surveillance. The main outcome of the discussion was that data privacy and protection need to be prioritised at the workplace.

Proposed company policies should be drafted in consultation with employees in order to limit the bias against perceived excessive monitoring or suspected misuse of personal data.

The TransFormWork project included employer and trade union organisations as partners from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Ireland and Malta. More information can be viewed from www. transformwork.eu

The Malta Business Bureau congratulated The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry on its 175th Anniversary for being on the forefront as a leading national stakeholder advocating entrepreneurship and ethical business throughout the years, during prosperous and challenging times, as these are the foundations for a strong and competitive economy that contributes to growth and quality employment.

Manufacturing companies can make great water savings through the right investments. The WE MAKE event tackled water efficiency as a crucial component of a business’ green transition. Best practice companies in water efficiency were invited to share an overview of their technology and experience in this area, such as rainwater harvesting and using such water for process cooling, which can be widely applied across industry.

Water management is expected to take a more pronounced role amongst the metrics for sustainability. Investments in this regard will also anticipate future increases in water costs from what is an increasingly strained resource in Malta.

MBB CALENDAR OF EVENTS

8 March 2023

MBB Invited to speak at Jobsplus Training Event

Jobsplus organised a training session for its employees as well as trainees from Anci Toscana and Lithuana’s Užimtumo tarnyba as part of the INTERCEPT Project. Having partnered with Business Leaders (Malta), MBB’s Senior Projects Executive (Sustainability) Timothy Alden delivered an extensive afternoon lecture covering the green economy and sustainability, referring to various case studies from businesses in Malta.

16 March 2023

MBB celebrates the European Single Market

on its 30th Anniversary

13 March 2023

Business Seminar on the EU Short Terms Rental Initiative

The MBB in collaboration with the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) held a business session on the EU Short-Term Rentals Initiative (STR) at Dar l-Ewropa in Valletta, with special guest MEP Josianne Cutajar who is Rapporteur for the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee. Short-term accommodation rental services have existed for many years alongside conventional accommodation providers such as hotels. However, their popularity has surged in the EU with the rise of the platform economy. Despite the positive opportunities created for tourism activity in general, several challenges became prominent affecting hotels, local communities and public authorities. Other speakers included MHRA CEO Andrew Agius Muscat, Malta Chamber Policy Executive Julia Aquilina, and MTA Deputy CEO Kevin Fsadni. The event was moderated by MBB Policy Executive Christine Said.

For the past thirty years, the Single Market has celebrated numerous achievements, faced numerous hurdles and today it continues to prevail as an instrumental part of the European Union. In a reaction to this important milestone for the European Single Market, MBB President Alison Mizzi stated that, “There is little doubt that the creation and functioning of the Single Market is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. The implementation of the four freedoms across such a diverse market is unique and should be celebrated. While still facing numerous challenges and far from being complete, the Single Market empowers European companies to grow and be successful. It is therefore crucial that it is responsive and adaptable to ongoing challenges, including global competitiveness, geopolitical challenges, and the green and digital transitions’’.

Ms. Mizzi added, “Compliance costs and overly complex procedures particularly in the provision of services and capital markets remains prevalent. National protectionism in sectors such as road transport coupled with fragmentation or inefficiencies in other areas such as certification and labelling, do not function in the same way as a Single Market should. We augur that these issues will be truly addressed moving forward.”

23 March 2023

Going Beyond Government Grants

With the WE MAKE project having focused on government grants to date, this event introduced financing instruments from the private sector. The focus was on the green financial products offered by Maltese private banks, including those funded by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

29 March 2023

MBB assessment report on the Energy

Performance in Buildings Directive

The MBB and Deloitte Malta presented an assessment report on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) during a business seminar. The EPBD is an EU legislation which governs the energy efficiency standards which buildings must adhere to.

An overview of the revised EPBD, as well as the outcomes of an MBB-Deloitte joint report into the local implications of this proposal was presented by MBB Manager EU Policy (Sustainability) Gabriel Cassar. Mr. Cassar highlighted how the definition of zero-emission buildings being pushed by the proposed revision would not be implementable in the local context due to geographic limitations and building characteristics.

Representing Deloitte, Director (Financial Advisory) Matthew Xuereb discussed the significant investment effort needed to achieve the goals of the revised Diective. Mr. Xuereb then presented several innovative financing schemes which could be created to support investments in the renovation and retrofitting of commercial buildings.

The full MBB assessment report on the Energy Performance and Buildings Directive can be viewed from www.mbb.org.mt

5 April 2023

Malta Chamber President

The MBB congratulated Mr. Chris Vassallo Cesareo on being elected President of The Malta Chamber for the 2023-2025 term. The MBB looks forward to continue collaborating closely with Mr. Vassallo Cesareo and The Malta Chamber to create awareness among Maltese businesses and help them in the process of preparing for the introduction of EU legislation.

The MBB also thanks outgoing President Ms. Marisa Xuereb for steering The Malta Chamber to new heights in the last two years and for her leadership during the difficult period as Malta gradually moved out of the pandemic and in the face of the challenges created by the international impact of the war in Ukraine.

During these unprecedented times Ms. Xuereb was prepared with instant and firm reactions, as well as foresight in representing The Malta Chamber and the interests of Maltese businesses and the Maltese economy at large.

18 April 2023

MBB CEO Joe Tanti and MBB Senior Projects Executive –Business Advisory & Support Michele Agius, participated in an expert training in Brussels provided by the EEN project. The two-day workshop served to equip the MBB representatives with a mix of academic know-how and practical tools to support the development of businesses in the start-up and scaling-up stages. This training will strengthen the provision of the EEN service to Maltese companies searching for advanced advisory services on business development and scaling-up their operations for the Single Market and beyond. Companies interested in scaling up advisory services are encouraged to reach out to EEN Representative Michele Agius through magius@mbb.org.mt

New

the development of business Start-Ups and Scale-Ups

In view of labour supply shortage experienced by the manufacturing industry in Malta, industry-academia collaboration poses solutions and presents new opportunities. Fortunately, there are success stories from which to draw inspiration. The MBB event showcased best practice stories by the University of Malta and Toly. The event highlighted how industry-academia collaboration can take place, what it can achieve, and demonstrated what funding is available to support it. MCST and EEN also presented their opportunities for collaboration in the area.

The DIGITOUR project meeting focused on providing feedback on the digital skills training modules developed by all partners. As regards to the ToRRe project, the focus was on planning the next phase of the project – piloting, due to take place at the end of summer 2023 – and agreeing on a plan for the official ToRRe online training space. Although still a work in progress, both project teams came up with good suggestions and strategies to ensure that the digital skills training meets the needs of modern businesses in tourism and retail.

The MBB collaborated with Malta Enterprise, the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Enterprise, and the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) in an online session to discuss the business impact of the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

During this event, the MBB launched the assessment report on the PPWR that was conducted together with Grant Thornton. MBB EU Policy Manager for Sustainability, Gabriel Cassar presented the key report finding, highlighting crucial concerns and recommendations from various economic operators. These include the need to provide more clarity on scope, definitions and exemptions, while also ensuring appropriate transition periods.

The full MBB assessment report on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation can be viewed from www.mbb.org.mt

9 May 2023

Europe Day is an important occasion to look back on the progress achieved to date but also an opportunity to look towards the future and engage in an active discussion. Employers and workers operate in markets which are defined by change. While important to take stock and dedicate primary focus in a given year, the skills gaps challenge is a long-term one. Looking beyond 2023, on a macro level, the EU must continue providing policy tools matching the labour market needs. On a micro level, employers will require to continue undertaking consistent monitoring of their workers’ competencies and ensure adequate training takes place to align the skills with their enterprise’s current and future needs. The European Year of Skills therefore needs to be synchronised with broader efforts to underpin progress in the European semester process, which must be supported with investments, necessary reforms and effective social dialogue aiming to foster skills development.

11-12 May 2023

The Erasmus+ Leader Scale Up project (2022-2024) involves partners from the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Malta-based partner Business Leaders Malta. It builds on the previous project (2019-2021) and aims to enhance young leadership skills, among youths, in vocational education and training (VET) institutions. One of the project’s outputs is the LEADER Mobile Application, which promotes various soft skills like leadership, communication, creativity, and critical thinking, among others. Through LEADER, the partners are playing a vital role to provide soft skills training to youths prior to their entry in the labour market. The project has also produced a Manual for Trainers, a ‘Soft Skills Curriculum’, and a LEADER digital platform to make the outputs more advanced and accessible. Additionally, the Scale Up project introduces a physical resource called the ‘Leader Board Game’ to facilitate the offline development of soft skills. Moreover, the resources will also be adapted to also strengthen aspiring individuals and leaders within middle-management.

26 May 2023

The MBB in collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), hosted a business conference tailored specifically for SMEs aiming to unlock the potential of European Direct Funds for business investments. This conference was conducted within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network (2022-2025), which focuses on the digital, sustainable, innovative, and resilient development of Maltese SMEs. The event promoted EU programmes such as LIFE, Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, Single Market Programme, Innovation Fund, Connecting Europe, and others. These EU direct funds are often overlooked due to several reasons which were discussed during the conference to bring down barriers and make funding opportunities more accessible to local SMEs . The event also discussed the Enterprise Europe Network services, such as connecting Access-to-Finance experts with local businesses seeking to apply for funding opportunities, in this case, direct funding programmes, among many other advisory possibilities.

29 May 2023

Business session on Energy Efficient Solutions for Industry

To inspire businesses to change and innovate, there is no better strategy than to invite companies to share their own case studies. Aimed at not only manufacturing, but also importers and exporters due to their warehousing infrastructure, this WEMAKE event showed both the savings Abertax achieved from lighting interventions, and also the complicated process it underwent to discover what interventions were needed and how to carry them out. Mater Dei hospital’s Ing Ramon Tabone spoke about the experience of upgrading the drives of their HVAC system and the massive savings achieved.

Methode and Carlo Gavazzi shared their more general journey achieving savings and carbon reductions through energy efficiency interventions.

31 May 2023

The MBB collaborated in an event organised by The Malta Chamber and EMCS and supported by Fondi.EU which highlighted how businesses can access a fresh injection of new EU funds. Speakers presented an overview of the type of investment that can be eligible for EU funding and what are the key ingredients of a successful application. On MBB’s part, Manager – EU Policy (Sustainability) Gabriel Cassar discussed the main upcoming obligations being placed on businesses at the EU level, focusing on energy efficiency, buildings and electric vehicles in particular. MBB CEO Joe Tanti delivered a closing address to encourage businesses to capitalise on this opportunity and put forward projects for funding.

Enterprise Europe Network

LEADER Scale Up Partners’ Meeting in Malta

MBB CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2 June 2023

BusinessEurope Council of Presidents, Madrid

MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono participated in the Business Europe Council of Presidents that took place in Madrid, Spain. He accompanied The Malta Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo and CEO Dr. Marthese Portelli, who together with another 40 members federations of BusinessEurope endorsed the Madrid Declaration that included key messages from European businesses to the incoming Spanish EU Presidency. The main focus is on the need to have competitive companies to achieve economic and social progress. The meeting also saw the participation of Mr. Stefano Mallia, President of the Employers Group of the European Economic and Social Committee.

6 June 2023

MBB seminar on the EU VAT in the Digital Age Package

The MBB organised an online business seminar to discuss a package of proposals to address the challenges faced by companies in the digital economy in relation to VAT. The package’s key actions aim to support the growth of businesses, particularly SMEs and cross-border operators, as well as to help Member States recover billions of euros annually in VAT revenues. By implementing real-time digital reporting by companies through e-invoicing, the new system will streamline administrative processes and lower compliance costs, fostering harmonization across EU countries and enabling the establishment of national digital reporting systems. Secondly, the implementation of a single VAT registration system throughout the EU, expands upon the existing ‘VAT One Stop Shop’ model for online shopping companies. This allows businesses selling to consumers in other Member States to register only once for VAT purposes for the entire EU, streamlining their obligations through a single online portal in a common language. Finally, the package introduces updated VAT rules for passenger transport and short-term accommodation platforms in the sharing economy.

The event was introduced by MBB President Alison Mizzi and a technical presentation was provided by Mirko Gulic, Senior Manager at PwC Malta. Interventions were made by Dr. Marthese Portelli, CEO at The Malta Chamber, Nico Sciberras, Chief Tax Officer at the Malta Inland Revenue, and Dr. Mariella Caruana, Tax advisor at BusinessEurope. The event was moderated by MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono.

20 June 2023

MBB EU Affairs Manager Daniel Debono participated in the Eurochambres General Assembly that took place in Geneva, Switzerland. He accompanied Marisa Xuereb, former President of The Malta Chamber President and currently Director at Eurochambers. With one year left of the EU legislative term, main discussions among EU Chambers revolved on the need for a strong commitment to Europe’s competitiveness by achieving a regulatory balance which is currently stifling the business environment in the EU. The General Assembly was organised in parallel to the World Chambers Congress.

22 June 2023

Tourism 4.0

Since April, the Tourism4.0 project partners have commenced a series of online webinars aimed at tourism SMEs interested in enhancing their digital transformation capabilities. These webinars have featured digital mentors, technical experts, and technology solution providers. On Thursday, 22nd June, the MBB collaborated with Sue Adam, hotel consultant and industry expert from Hospitality Solutions, to host their first webinar entitled “Driving Revenues - Case Study Approach, from using Digital Tools to Developing People. ” Valuable insights were shared regarding the several ways digital tools can impact and contribute towards revenue growth within the hotel industry. One key takeaway emphasised the importance of investing not only in new technology but also in skilled personnel, capable of effectively harnessing the data produced by these digital tools. The session had participants from various tourism SMEs in Croatia, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. A recording of the webinar is now available on the project’s official YouTube channel.

23 June 2023

What Europe Means for Me

On June 23rd, businesses, civil society organisations, and NGOs gathered in Malta to discuss the importance of Europe and ways to bring the European Union (EU) closer to the public and businesses ahead of the European Elections in June 2024. Mr. Stephen Clark, the European Parliament’s Director for European Parliament Liaison Offices in the Member States, engaged with participants to explore collaboration in building the future of Europe. Democracy’s fragility and the need to stand up for it were emphasised, along with the relevance of Europe as a peace project and the EU’s response to the pandemic crisis. In a more focused panel discussion that was moderated by MBB CEO Joe Tanti, the engagement of business in European matters was front and centre. Entrepreneurs Keith Fitzpatrick, Anna Horvath and Joeaby Vassallo - shared their insights on the difficulty small businesses and startups face in accessing European funds, and the benefits of opening up entrepreneurial opportunities in Europe. The together.eu platform was introduced as a place for organisations to partner with the European Parliament, showcase their work, and network, addressing the need for a centralised network for entrepreneurs. The platform currently hosts over 100,000 individuals and entities across Europe, fostering dialogue and action to shape the desired future of Europe. Notable participants include BusinessEurope and Business and Professional Women in Europe. For more information, contact the European Parliament Liaison Office at epvalletta@europarl.europa.eu

Eurochambres General Assembly

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