Chamber News

Chamber News

22/12/21

Malta Chamber And EY Malta Continue to Strengthen Their Ties

EY Malta have once again renewed their Gold Partnership Support Agreement with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. The Malta Chamber President Ms Marisa Xuereb said that, “Through this partnership, the Malta Chamber aims to provide more value to its members by collecting and disseminating invaluable information about the business community and its opinion on Malta’s attractiveness, investment aspirations and needs.” Chris Naudi, EY Malta Partner and Head of Markets, said “We are delighted to further strengthen our strong relationship with the Malta Chamber. The work we have carried out over the years for the Chamber on various financial and economic matters has greatly benefitted the local business community and we want nothing more than to see its continued success, especially as we must navigate this crucial next phase of the global pandemic.”

20/1/22

Malta Chamber Signs MOU With UAE Federation Of Chambers

The Malta Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the United Arab Emirates, which incorporates the Chambers of Commerce of all seven Emirates, at the Embassy of Malta in Abu Dhabi. Prior to the signing, the business and investment opportunities in Malta and in the UAE, and the mutual interest of the two countries in enhancing commercial relations and bilateral cooperation between the respective Chambers, were discussed. A series of initiatives are being planned to bring together entrepreneurs from the two countries in the coming months.

28/1/22

Entrepreneurship In The Creative Industry

The Malta Chamber CEO, Dr Marthese Portelli, took part in a panel discussion during Malta Film Week organised by the Malta Film Commission. The panel discussion focused on the topic of ‘Entrepreneurship in the creative industry’. In her opening remarks, Dr Portelli emphasised 3 key ingredients for business success; business know-how, contacts and an entrepreneurial mindset. “Effective pre-planning and proper evaluation of critical success factors and related risks must also take centre stage to ensure success,” continued Dr Portelli. Dr Portelli outlined 5 points that require immediate attention in order to enhance the creative industry: • FRAGMENTATION – We have too many entities dealing and supporting directly/indirectly with this industry. Let’s consolidate. • FUNDING – Different funds across different government schemes exist. We need to consolidate here as well. We need funding support that is exclusively designed to meet the needs of this industry. • INFRASTRUCTURE – We need to modernize and invest more in our infrastructure, including our digital infrastructure and that of marketing • TRAINING – We need appropriate training to upskill our human resources and to keep abreast with the fast pace with which this industry is moving. • INCENTIVES – We need incentives for Maltese, foreign and international business alike. We need to start looking at the end product, at its potential, at its value-added.

2/2/22

President George Vella Visits The Malta Chamber

President George Vella visited The Malta Chamber where he was welcomed by the President of The Chamber Marisa Xuereb and CEO Dr Marthese Portelli. During his visit, President Vella held talks with representatives of the Chamber on several topics and areas related to the commercial sector of our country. In comments following his visit, President George Vella thanked The Malta Chamber for its professional and measured way of submitting suggestions and proposals. He added that in difficult circumstances such as those caused by the pandemic, The Malta Chamber has the necessary skills and tools to continue to make a tangible contribution to strengthening the country.

3/2/22

Malta Chamber Meets With Executive Chairperson Of The Cannabis Authority, Mariella Dimech

The Malta Chamber President, Marisa Xuereb, together with CEO Dr Marthese Portelli and Media and Communication Strategist Rachel Attard met Mariella Dimech, Executive Chairperson of the Cannabis Authority, earlier today. During this meeting The Malta Chamber highlighted the following: • the lack of necessary safeguards in the current legal system to mitigate the potential negative social and economic impact brought about by use of cannabis • the lack of explicit clarity with respect to employer’s right to take measures to ensure a drug free work environment as well as to ensure health and safety standards • concern on the legalisation of recreational cannabis products without having catered for the legal and safe supply of cannabis seeds and products through a well-regulated market which ensures that cannabis products are free of harmful substances

9/2/22

The Malta Chamber At The Forefront To Embrace Digital Transformation In Tourism

The Malta Chamber CEO, Dr Marthese Portelli, accompanied by Tourism Operators Business Section Chair Alan Arrigo, Policy Executive Julia Aquilina and Glenn Fenech, Senior Consultant at Seed, met with a delegation from the Ministry for Tourism and Consumer Protection to discuss the Digital Strategic Roadmap for Tourism in the Maltese Islands 2030 published by the Government last year. During this meeting The Malta Chamber recommended the following strategic direction: • Acknowledge that digitalisation is an essential tool to facilitate operations and its take-up. • Educating on the operational advantages of going digital and using this as an opportunity for sustainable growth. • Financial assistance to economic operators to invest in transformation processes.

14/2/22

Sustainability And Digitalisation Are The Keys For The Tourism Industry

The Malta Chamber CEO, Dr Marthese Portelli, accompanied by Tourism Operators Business Section Chair Alan Arrigo, Policy Executive Julia Aquilina and Glenn Fenech, Senior Consultant at Seed Consultancy, met with Steve Ellul, Policy Advisor within the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development. During the meeting, The Malta Chamber delegation presented ‘Rediscover - A New Vision For The Tourism Industry In Malta’ which includes more than 120 proposals for the tourism industry. Some of the proposals discussed during the meeting were: • Continue providing schemes that support green incentives, such as stimulating investment in energy and water-efficient technologies, investment in digitalization, and projects that promote holistic and sustainable tourist experiences • Ensure a strong infrastructure that takes into account proper waste management as well as a stable water and electricity supply • Investment in Blue Economy Growth with particular investment in the diving industry • More afforestation projects, national parks and better countryside and valley management

23/2/22

BOV Renews Gold Partnership With The Malta Chamber

Bank of Valletta has renewed its Gold Partnership agreement with The Malta Chamber. The agreement, aimed at providing additional benefits to the Maltese Business Community was signed by Albert Frendo, Chief Business Banking Officer and Kenneth Farrugia, Chief Retail Banking Officer on behalf of Bank of Valletta and Ms Marisa Xuereb, President and Mr Christopher Vassallo Cesareo, Deputy President of The Malta Chamber. ‘This long-term collaboration between Bank of Valletta and The Malta Chamber gives the Bank insight on the operations, ambitions and requirements of the Chamber’s members, which in turn helps us to design new products and tweak current ones for the benefit of both parties,’ said Mr Frendo. ‘The Malta Chamber sits at the heart of a unique network of businesses and we strongly believe that this collective relationship leads us to achieve goals beyond those that can be achieved individually.’

25/2/22

Level Playing Field At EU Level Is Needed – The Malta Chamber

Malta’s competitiveness is heavily impacted by the small size of its market, its insularity and peripherality. These were the main issues tackled head on and with a united front called for by various speakers emphasised during a debate organised by the European Parliament Office in Malta and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry this morning. The debate started with a reflection on Ukraine, with the Malta Chamber President Marisa Xuereb noting that Europe is now ‘at war with Russia, our biggest energy supplier’. The Malta Chamber President underlined that ‘for Maltese manufacturing companies, the issue of competitiveness is permanently. It stems from the inherent characteristics of Malta as a manufacturing location. Yet if we want to have a diversified economy that reflects European aspirations, manufacturing needs to remain viable’. MEPs Josianne Cutajar and Cyrus Engerer (S&D, MT), discussed and listened to various business entrepreneurs, in a debate that ranged well-beyond the impact of insularity and peripherality on Malta’s competitiveness. For this event all Maltese MEPs were invited to participate.

28/2/22

Energy And Water Financing Opportunities For Manufacturers

As part of the WE MAKE Project, the Malta Business Bureau, The Malta Chamber and Energy and Water Agency launched a set of workshops aimed at improving energy efficiency in manufacturing SMEs. The first workshop focused on financial measures supporting energy efficiency, with overviews of several grants available to the Maltese business community, including the EWA energy audit grant, and three Malta Enterprise grants: Smart and Sustainable, Change to Grow, and Investment Aid in Energy Efficiency. This was moderated by Ing. Patrick Spiteri Staines, Chairperson of The Malta Chamber’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee.

7/3/22

Diversity Pays

The Malta Chamber organised a conference titled Diversity Pays, showcasing the science which states that when men and women work together, the results are far greater. Ms Catherine Calleja, representing Atlas Insurance as well as The Malta Chamber’s Health & Wellness committee, was joined by President Marisa Xuereb and Ms Rachel Attard in opening the event. Dr Roberta Metsola gave a digital intervention on video in support of the event, promoting the message that women can lead. A presentation was given by Dr Anna Borg on gender balance & decision-making at the workplace, illustrating the science that shows how the participation of women in business and on boards leads to improved decision-making. This was followed by a panel discussion including Dr Maryanne Caruana, a consultant cardiologist providing a different perspective on the conversation, as well as Natalie Briffa Farrugia, Chair of Vassallo Group. They were joined by two men on the panel; Mark Azzopardi of Working Town and psychotherapist Matthew Bartolo of Willingness Malta, to showcase that diversity is not just about women, but is about men and women working together as equals

22/3/22

Proposals For Reforms To The Pension System Presented By The Malta Chamber And The General Workers Union

Whilst progress has been achieved since the launch of the pension reform programme in 2004, much is yet to be done to secure the pension system’s adequacy, solidarity, and sustainability. The Malta Chamber and the General Workers’ Union have agreed to work together to present to the government and for national discussions, common positions reached on key pension reforms. Both The Malta Chamber and the Union strongly underline that a carefully designed workplace pension based on the principles of opt-in on employment with the choice of opt-out is introduced in Malta. Such voluntary opt-in on employment pensions schemes with the choice of an opt-out can be designed in a manner that creates no social tensions or adverse impacts on both employers and employers.

23/3/22

The Malta Chamber Endorses Environment Charter Launched By FAA

Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar together with Charter endorsers The Malta Chamber, Kamra tal-Periti, General Workers’ Union and Malta Union of Tourist Guides, today launched their environment Charter which has been presented to all political parties and candidates and is supported by 7 social partners, 14 eNGOs and 9 local councils. Ms Marisa Xuereb, President of The Malta Chamber said that for years we have assumed that economic development must necessarily come at the cost of sacrificing the environment, but there are ways to progress without furthering the destruction of the environment and cultural heritage of our islands. Speaking about tourism, Ms Xuereb asserted that tourism needs to focus on quality rather than quantity to be sustainable. This is especially true of Gozo which has so far avoided going down the path of mass tourism. If large development projects ruin its charm and make it an extension of Malta, Gozo’s unique tourism preposition will be irreversibly destroyed.