Author: SME Chamber

The Commission
is asking Member States for information on any irregularities / trade irritants
that Russia might be imposing on exports from the EU to Russia. The intention
of the Commission is to make a strong case on Russia's non compliance with its
WTO commitments and to raise this issues in bilateral talks with its Russian
counterpart. If so send emails on

Biotechnology
to treat heavy metal pollution in waste water; new 'Aquaponic' systems
combining aquaculture and hydroponics in agricultural production; smarter
management of water distribution networks.

These are just three of 11 new
projects approved for EU research funding, aiming to promote innovative
solutions for water-related challenges. The projects involve 179 partners from
research organisations and private companies (including more than 70 SMEs),
across 19 European countries.

GRTU President
Paul Abela has last week participated in an official Trade Delegation that
accompanied the President of Malta, his Excellency, George Abela to Vienna and
Bratislava.

Presentations
were held at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of
Bratislava, these included presentations by Malta Enterprise and Finance Malta.
Addresses were made by Malta's President George Abela and Austria's President
Heinz Fischer.

Participating
businesses attended a number of networking sessions and the response was that a
good number of contacts were made. Business representatives from Bratislava
were particularly enthusiastic about doing business with Malta and the events
in Bratislava were in fact more successful for Maltese businesses.

GRTU
President met the counterparts representing SMEs in Bratislava and GRTU was
asked to present an MOU to increase cooperation between the two Chambers.

President
Abela hosted a number of activities, including a reception and state dinner to
thank those attending for making the visit such a success.

Members
interested in doing business with these countries should contact GRTU on .

MCAST in
collaboration with Green MT, an Authorised Packaging Waste Compliance Scheme is
launching a comprehensive college-wide initiative that aims to keep 10 tons of
recyclable materials out of the landfill over the coming six months.

The
project includes the provision of large crates which can take different
materials, clear Plastic Bottles, Coloured Plastic Bottles, Paper, and also
crates for used plastic coffee or tea cups in areas where students relax. The
crates will be monitored and emptied by the college staff and will firstly be
situated at the newly built Institute of Applied Science with a view to
extending this project to cover all other Institutes.

The
contents of the crates will be emptied into larger bins located outside the
Institute for easy recovery by the collection vehicle.

The
crates will be located at entrances of academic buildings, including the common
areas, the cafeteria, and student centers. Bins will also be added to common
spaces such as break rooms and printer areas.

"MCAST
will hold a commitment to environmental responsibility, and with this
commitment we can encourage everyone to help out and reduce the College's
environmental footprint," said Ms Alison Gauci, Lecturer at MCAST.
"We'll be working to build a student environmental group and establish
green leaders to make sure the project is successful in the long term. In the
future, we hope to find even more ways to recycle and create a more sustainable
college.''

The
project will run through to the end of the scholastic year but MCAST aims to
monitor monthly recycling trends during the coming years.

The
Park-and-Ride fare will go down to 40c, Transport Malta announced. The fare
includes a shuttle service to and from Valletta and Floriana, to be operated by
Minibus Co-op Services Limited.

Minibuses
will be offering trips every 10 minutes between Valletta Bus Terminus, Floriana
and all zones of the Park-and-Ride, with frequency increasing to every five
minutes at peak times. The shuttle service will run throughout the day from
6am, with a last trip at 9pm, and will be exclusively reserved for
Park-and-Ride clients.

Passengers
will be able to board and get off the shuttles at various designated bus stops
along the route

At
Valletta Terminus, the shuttle will pick up and drop off passengers at a
specially designated bus stop next to Bay 1, which will be identified with the
blue Park-and-Ride sign and reserved for Park-and-Ride users.

An
extended service will operate every half hour after 8.30am to serve St George's
Square.

Floriana
Park-and-Ride currently offers more than 750 parking places in Zones A, B and
D. The parking facilities are open between 6am and 9pm all week. Additional
parking spaces will be made available in the coming weeks.

Customers
are also being offered two premium services: a reserved VIP parking bay for an
annual price of €300 and a private electric mini-cab service to one's
destination and back to the car for €5 each way.

More
information can be obtained from ,
tel: 2122 2000.

Last week the GRTU Executive Council met the Opposition led
by Leader Simon Busuttil together with other representatives of the Opposition.

GRTU President Paul Abela gave an introduction on the
work GRTU today does as a Chamber representing SMEs. Mr Abela said that when
the Nationalist Party was in Government GRTU worked closely with many of those
sitting at the table representing the opposition and now GRTU wants to keep
meeting regularly with the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Ministers.

On the Individual Investment Programme GRTU made its
position clear. GRTU, during the last MCESD meeting with the Prime Minister
that discussed issue, put three concrete proposals on the table, which included
a higher investment value, an investment that could not be sold and the
requirement to have the investor spend time in the country.

GRTU also informed the Opposition that after the
Government decided to open the issue on the Shop Opening Hours, GRTU discussed
the issue with the Government and it was agreed that GRTU would conduct an in
depth consultation with members. Mr Abela emphasized that GRTU represents its
members and that we will be taking the positions the majority of our members
support, based on a thorough analysis. The survey will be conducted during the
month of February.

Mr Abela also informed the leader of the Opposition
that GRTU will be presenting its Manifesto for the European Parliament
elections. He stated that GRTU is in favour of MEPs that can understand
business and it would be a plus if at least one of these representatives really
knew what running a business involved as the way of thinking of an entrepreneur
is different. The GRTU President also emphasized that MEPs should work in close
contact t organizations representing businesses throughout their mandate.

Dr Busuttil said that this is first time he is meeting GRTU
as member of the Opposition and he looked forward to future regular meetings.
Regarding the Individual Investment Programme he said that the Opposition is
still very preoccupied on the issue. He agreed with most points presented by
GRTU on the issue and he said that the investor needs to be linked to our
country and there needs to be genuine bond, backed by a residence of at least 5
years. He said that the opposition sees this scheme presented by Government as
a quick fix and this is not what the country needs.

The Leader of the opposition also quoted GRTU's
Christmas sales survey and stated that the opposition is also concerned with
some of the results that came out of this survey. He also quoted results
published by Eurostat where Malta had the largest drop in retail sales amongst
the whole of Europe.

GRTU council members individually went on to present
the issues being faced by GRTU and its members including unfair competition,
the rent reform, crafts and the renewable energy strategy.

GRTU,
represented by President Paul Abela, Deputy President Philip Fenech and
Executives Abigail Psaila Mamo and Carmen Borg met the Minister for Foreign
Affairs Hon George Vella and Permanent Secretary Mr Joseph Cole, for a cordial
introductory meeting.

GRTU
explained the role GRTU has as a Chamber representing SMEs and that
international relations are today very important for our members. GRTU's
members are looking at expanding beyond the limitations offered by the Maltese
market not just to the EU market but to the international market. GRTU today
welcomes business delegations and accompanies members of trade missions in
order to help them in their efforts to expand their business prospects. GRTU
therefore emphasized the importance that it is involved in efforts in this
regards as it has a lot to contribute and members have a lot to gain.

The
Minister said that Government had initiated a process of pooling of resources
so that countries are targeted better and the target is more focused. He
immediately welcomed GRTU's offer of collaboration and assured us that GRTU
will be involved in Government's efforts. The interest of his Ministry was also
that the Maltese businessmen derived as many benefits as they can from Malta's
relations with EU and non EU countries.

GRTU
also enquired on what is called a State of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Agreement
with the US. The Minister said that Malta currently enjoyed very good relations
with the US and the status quo should be maintained. GRTU mentioned the
positive economic effects ships coming into Malta have and this was
acknowledged by the Minister. The Minister explained that he had as yet
encountered no reason to decline entry of ships that requested entry into Malta
and explained the issues that concerned him in relation to a SOFA Agreement
with the US. 

EEN Malta is
promoting various brokerage events organised and/or supported by the Enterprise
Europe Network. Below are a few of the events for your perusal.

There are no
registration fees; only travel costs. Please note that around 50% will be
refunded by Malta Enterprise through the Trade Promotion Scheme, subject to
conditions. Further info may be obtained by visiting http://www.enterprise-europemalta.com/ or by emailing:

Brokerage event in Spain

Date: 3-4 April, 2014

Venue: Sevilla and Merida, Spain

Target sectors: TBA

Brokerage event in Luxemburg

Date: 18-19 June, 2014

Venue:  Luxembourg

Target
sectors:    Eco environment & energy; eco-construction
& sustainable development; e-mobility; machinery & metallurgy; ICT,
e-commerce & web-marketing; training & education; transports &
logistics; services to companies