Feedback received so far by the Malta Chamber of SMEs on this year’s Black Friday indicates a positive outcome, with results comparable to last year’s performance. While several businesses recorded similar results or a slight increase over the previous year, a few experienced a slight decline. Performance also varied by location, with some areas facing particular challenges.
Weather conditions affected customer turnout in certain localities; however, the month-long promotions and busniesses that offered products or services online saw steady sales despite the bad weather. Meanwhile, shopping malls across Malta and Gozo experienced strong footfall and steady sales.
Sectors traditionally associated with Black Friday, such as electronics, white goods, and homeware, along with those that invested in marketing campaigns, reported a positive performance.
Many businesses are now looking ahead to Saturday and Sunday, with most stores expected to maintain their Black Friday offers.
The European Parliament voted on two resolutions on the Shein/Temu imports and on the Deforestation Regulation imposing obligations on EU operators. These are two separate and yet similar cases where EU actions in the past are coming back to haunt us – putting burdens on our SMEs to the unfair benefit of third country businesses.
On the Shein and Temu imports
MEP Peter Agius said that over the past years he has been contacted by several SMEs in Malta describing how direct consumer online sales are bypassing all applicable rules for local retail. These online sales pay no Duty, no customs duties and have no environmental compliance obligations neither. On closer investigation it seems these claims are largely correct. MEP Agius said he cannot accept that our SMEs are put at a disadvantage on our own market. For this reason he pushed for decisive action in the EPP and in the Internal Market Committee. In the resolution adopted, proposed by EPP, it is being proposed for a customs fee on every package received as well as the application of Duty to these imports thus far exempted for lower costs purchases.
On EU producer obligations from deforestation rules
The deforestation regulation adopted in 2023 has imposed strict due diligence and certification requirements which are now wreaking havoc in a good number of industries in Europe. All products coming from forestry in Asia, Africa and South America including timber, soy, palm oil, cocoa, and rubber would be subject to a strict certification system as from December this year. A majority vote in Parliament supported the EPP position to postpone the application of the deforestation regulation for a year. This is not enough. In fact in my vote today I have also supported amendments calling for exemptions for SMEs and further simplification of rules.
Malta’s events industry continues to play a central role in the national economy, with its expansion creating extensive economic value across multiple sectors. Speaking exclusively with SiGMA World about the current landscape, Philip Fenech, Deputy President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, emphasised that the segment is significant and it’s creating a lot of value added to the country’s economy.
According to Fenech, the industry’s growth has spurred demand not only in event operations but also in education and workforce development. He noted that the Chamber and national stakeholders are preparing the people to handle it even better from an educational point of view, so that human resources will not be as challenging to find as they have been.
He highlighted that events founded locally, such as SiGMA World, have helped attract global attention. These events, he said, must be assessed from various angles, including the “direct demand on our economy.”
A Multiplier Effect Across Sectors
Fenech detailed how the events industry has widened opportunities for both professional services and small businesses. Lawyers, accountants, IT specialists, technicians, suppliers, and freelancers form part of what he described as a broad network that “literally eats from this business in particular.”
Foreign professionals attending and working in Malta’s events ecosystem also contribute to ongoing economic activity. “We look at them as sort of permanent tourists or tourists coming and going,” he stated, noting their use of “our restaurants, our bars, our clubs, our boutiques, [and] also real estate renters.”
He pointed to the sector’s large multiplier effect, explaining that it connects directly to hospitality, retail, transport, and ancillary services. Reflecting on past events, he noted that some gatherings “were a bit too big for the size of our island,” which led to the decision to divide activities across venues. He confirmed that plans are underway for “a good expo venue that at the moment is being negotiated and is being expanded.”
Tourism and Hospitality Gains
Hotels and hospitality providers, Fenech said, experience direct uplift from international conferences. “These conferences pay better rates,” he explained, adding that delegates “ask for the best services” and are not comparable to “an average tourist that comes here.”
He highlighted the high-profile nature of these events: “We know a lot about all the champagne that’s being popped and all the good food that is being ordered.” The spending patterns of business travellers, he said, trigger wider demand for car hire, event-specific functions, catering, entertainment, and bespoke services.
Opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises
Fenech described SiGMA’s impact on SMEs as a catalyst for immediate economic movement. “I feel the economy is moving in real time,” he said, noting that the industry activates providers of stages, lighting, design, venue rentals, transport services, catering, and logistics.
He stressed that SMEs benefit directly from the cash flow uplift: “This business also brings instant cash, and small businesses always have cash flow problems, so when you get something like this, it gives them a tremendous, good cash injection.”
He added that attendees often explore local historical sites and independent businesses, especially in Valletta, deepening the economic contribution beyond the event footprint.
Vision 2050 and Sustainable Growth
Fenech reiterated that Malta’s economic maturity allows it to prioritise high-value sectors. “Our economy has grown so much that now we can be picky and choosy,” he said, identifying the events industry as aligned with Malta’s strategic vision due to its strong value creation and minimal environmental impact compared with other sectors.
The Deputy President of Malta Chamber of SMEs also noted that the government’s Vision 2050 framework aims to refine economic segments to ensure long-term sustainability. The events sector, he said, is “one of those segments that will give a high value-added chain, and the collateral damage is less than in other segments in our economy.” He stated that improved planning, refined logistics, and expanded venues would allow Malta to host large events more frequently.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs successfully organised another edition of the highly anticipated SME Conference 2025, attracting over 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across Malta. The event served as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring opportunities for business growth.
This year’s edition featured an inspiring keynote address by Mr. Jasmin Alic, an internationally renowned speaker and leading voice on LinkedIn, who captivated the audience with insights on leadership, innovation, and digital engagement.
Following the keynote, participants had the opportunity to attend a series of four engaging workshops designed to address key areas of business development. These sessions covered The Use of AI in Business, Upskilling and Retaining Employees, Understanding EU Funds, Access to Finance & Incentives, Scale, Grow, Fund: Mastering Business Success, and Effective Recruitment, Sourcing of TCNs, and the New Labour Migration Policy.
Through these workshops, attendees gained valuable practical insights and tools to strengthen their operations and prepare for future challenges. The SME Conference 2025 reaffirmed the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to supporting the local business community and driving innovation, growth, and sustainability within Malta’s SME sector.
On Thursday, 4th December, AE Business Advisors invites Malta’s SME community to the Hyatt Regency in St Julian’s for the Shape Your 2026 Financial Strategy Business Breakfast, an exclusive morning of insights, strategy, and networking designed to help business owners, founders, and decision-makers turn financial data into clarity as they prepare for 2026 with confidence.
Programme for the day
The morning begins at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast and networking, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with fellow business owners and professionals through meaningful conversations about shared challenges and growth opportunities.
At 10:00 a.m., AE’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Mr Gilbert Formosa, will deliver the keynote, sharing insights into the challenges growing organisations face when financial clarity is lacking, how a fractional CFO can bridge the gap between the need for financial leadership and the ability to afford it, and the tangible value this role brings to the business. His talk will also explore the human dynamics involved in navigating this transitional phase.
Following the keynote, there will be a short coffee break, after which AE’s team of finance experts, along with guest industry professionals, will lead an interactive panel discussion on real-world financial challenges, strategies, and solutions.
Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and contribute their experiences, making the session practical, engaging, and directly applicable to their own business planning.
Why Attend
Running a growing business can feel like chaos; books to balance, decisions to make, and never enough time or resources to focus on the finances that really matter. Hiring a full-time CFO might be out of reach, yet relying on bookkeeping alone leaves you flying blind. This business breakfast is designed to give SME owners and decision-makers practical insights, actionable strategies, and real-world frameworks to regain control, make smarter financial decisions, and confidently steer their business into 2026.
Participants will leave with:
-A clearer understanding of how to plan strategically for 2026 and beyond
-Insights into how AE’s Fractional CFO Function bridges the gap between accounting and executive-level financial leadership
-New professional connections with other forward-thinking SME leaders
Secure Your Spot
Seats are limited to ensure a focused and high-value experience. Register your interest here and a member of our team will get in touch to confirm your attendance.
This event is hosted by AE Business Advisors, a leading Maltese advisory firm with an expert, licensed team serving clients across multiple industries, both locally and internationally. Offering a wide range of services, AE helps SMEs achieve clarity, control, and growth through strategic finance, management insight, and hands-on business support.
Study Title: The relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Effectiveness in Maltese Companies
You are kindly being invited to take part in this research study conducted by Christine Marie Bezzina, as part of the requirements for her dissertation pertaining to her Masters in Business Administration at Warwick University.
Please take the time to read the following information carefully. Kindly contact the researcher at , if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information on the study being conducted.
Following the Budget speech, the SME Chamber welcomes the 2026 Budget which will assist SMEs to grow and remain competitive. Initiatives such as the improvement of the Micro Invest Scheme, the increased support for digitalisation and the incentive to invest in R&D are among the measures that will help businesses strengthen and expand.
The SME Chamber notes that a number of its proposals were taken up by the Government and acknowledges that, in preparation for this Budget, the Government, particularly the Minister for Finance organised several consultation meetings with the SME Chamber.
The SME Chamber’s proposals were developed using insights from the quarterly SME Barometer, which consistently gathers feedback from businesses, as well as input from members and targeted focus group discussions. The SME Chamber urges the Government to continue addressing the issues highlighted by businesses in the SME Barometer over the past months, including employee shortages, unfair competition, good governance, and traffic congestion.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs, in collaboration with MISCO, has published the results of the latest SME Barometer (Q3 2025) survey. The study was conducted among 456 businesses between the 6th and 16th of October 2025.
When asked about the most pressing issues affecting their businesses, respondents identified employee shortages as the top concern (46%), followed by unfair competition (23%) and excessive competition (17%). Other key challenges cited include traffic congestion and skills mismatches.
At a national level, overpopulation (36%) remained the most significant concern for SMEs. Other ongoing worries include the lack of good governance (31%) and corruption (26%), while safeguarding quality of life saw a notable increase in importance, rising from 15% in Q2 to 23% in Q3, making it the fourth most frequently mentioned issue.
Business sentiment showed a slight improvement compared to previous quarters; however, 66% of respondents still feel that Malta is moving in the wrong direction. A slightly larger proportion of businesses expressed optimism about the next 12 months compared to Q2.
A special section of the survey focusing on digital transformation revealed that a strong 77% of SMEs recognise the importance of digitalisation for future growth. Among them, 51% are actively investing in digital tools, while 26% acknowledge its importance but struggle with implementation.
The SME Chamber urged the Government to expand financial incentives, such as grants and tax credits to support wider digital adoption.
The SME Chamber recommends increased support for micro and small businesses, including:
Enhanced Micro-Invest support, raising aid intensity for micro-enterprises from 45% to 65%, and increasing the credit cap for small enterprises from €50,000 to €70,000.
An additional €20,000 digitalisation capping for businesses adopting digital invoicing ahead of 2030.
Stronger transparency and anti-corruption measures to rebuild institutional trust.
Streamlined regulatory processes to reduce bureaucracy and duplication.
The establishment of a centralised advisory platform to help SMEs access green and digital financing opportunities.
SME Chamber President Mr. Paul Abela stated that “SMEs continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, but they need clarity, consistency, and fairness from institutions.”
SME Chamber COO Mr. Andrew Aquilina emphasised the need for Budget 2026 to strengthen support for micro and small businesses, and to enhance schemes and incentives that have historically provided critical assistance to these enterprises.
The SME Barometer Survey is a collaborative initiative between the Malta Chamber of SMEs and MISCO.
Following the recent debate on the potential introduction of a four-day working week, the Malta Chamber of SMEs believes that such proposals are premature and should only be considered following extensive consultation and studies with all relevant stakeholders.
While the SME Chamber strongly believes that employee wellbeing is an essential pillar of sustainable business practices the SME Chamber expresses several concerns, particulalry related to productivity, cross-sector competitiveness, and other immediate and long-term implications of such proposals.
Representing Small and Medium enterprises, which make up over 99% of Malta’s economy, with 97% being micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, the SME Chamber notes that a 20% reduction in productivity time (as would result from a four-day, 32-hour week) would have a significant negative impact especially on the micro companies. For instance, in a standard business employing 5 employees, this measure would effectively equate to bringing the workforce down to 4 employees.
On the other hand, a 40-hour, four-day work week would also have an impact on productivity, operations, and increase costs across several sectors.
The SME Chamber therefore calls for a constructive dialogue, free from partisan politics and a cross sector evidence-based studies to assess the impact of such measures particulary on micro and small enterprises.
