Author: SME Chamber

A very important meeting was held this week where GRTU
and MEPA held a reaching out exercise for GRTU members to have direct access to
MEPA and hear their complaints, problems and suggestions related to this
Authority. President Paul Abela stated that MEPA is very important
for business as many enterprises at one point or another or sometimes on
multiple occasions have to deal with MEPA and many times they depend on MEPA to
operate or proceed with their plans.

MEPA CEO Ian Stafrace stated that since the Reform MEPA
has undergone drastic changes and has worked hard to set and meet deadlines,
become more responsive and sensitive to the needs of businesses and most of all
to be more accessible and communicate better. This is why he welcomed this
opportunity to meet GRTU members directly as many times important improvements
can be made through better knowledge of the sectors they deal with and learning
from communication. With increased knowledge MEPA aims to become more
proactive.

The issue that was first presented from GRTU Members concerned
petrol stations. Many petrol stations have had pending applications with MEPA
for several years now in order to relocate to a new kerb-side pump. It was
requested that MEPA would give priority to the issue in order to have it
settled. MEPA CEO replied by saying that they are aware of the issue and this
is the case that even the quarries are encountering. Mr Stafrace continued
saying that at first such applications were few and no specific policy was
needed but later it developed into a trend and they were caught up in a policy
vacuum and they did not want to proceed before they had the adequate policy
framework. In addition to this now there are so many applications that it has
now become an administrative problem. The CEO also acknowledged that however
the issue has dragged for very long and will be addressed, such a delay is not
only not acceptable for the commercial sector but is also not acceptable for
MEPA. Paul Abela suggested that the distinctions between the petrol stations
should be eliminated and we should gather them all and treat them as one group.

GRTU Council Member representing the agriculture sector
Stephen Galea said that the agriculture sector has a lot of problems when it
comes to MEPA. He questioned the fact that MEPA worked with the timeframes
it stated as he himself had a bad experience. He also said that he knew of
other cases where a farmer for example had to wait one year before he could go
ahead to be able to cover his water reservoir, something that is positive and
not very complicated. They are already at a disadvantage because they are in
ODZ areas and then full time farmers are only given up to 40sqm for a store. He
said that this is an impossible situation for a full time farmer but at the
same time he understood that there are environmental and visual implications
and therefore he proposed that they would be given the option to expand
underground. Stephen continued by questioning why MEPA's permit application fees
were so high, was this to discourage applications? He said that especially for
farmers these were just too prohibitive and he doubted how many applications
were received by MEPA for example to apply for a green house.

He commented that he already heard that the new Board
Chair was a staunch environmentalist and he stated that the approach must be a
balanced one and consider also the point of view of the farmer. He said that he
welcomed the works expressed by the CEO very much but MEPA needs to communicate
this approach better and show it through actions. The MEPA Chairman stated that
he is very familiar with the genuine problems faced by MEPA as in the past he
was closely involved in the farmers` cooperative and he has close contacts till
today. The issue concerning size was realistic and MEPA has already carried out
work in this regard. Regarding the delays he said that a distinction must be
made before the reform and after the reform. He believes that since the reform
in January 2011 MEPA has kept 100% to its promises but there are older
applications that are still in the system. On the application rates he said
that it could be that following this meeting the application rates for certain
sectors would be revised but that would have to be discussed with the Ministry.
The Chairman also called for the backing of the Agriculture department. He said
that it would be ideal if the Agriculture department had a dedicated section
that would analyse agriculture related applications and even guide MEPA as to
the importance of having them approved with their backing, if need be even by
over ruling certain policies.

Mr Abela stated that many sectors have to deal with
different Government departments and it takes very long to get the papers and
approvals from all these departments. He therefore suggested that all
stakeholders involved should come together and form a one stop shop.

There were also a number of other issues that arose
amongst which a member explained his case that because of an accident on the
area sittings took very long and came to cost him a lot of money and in the
meantime he lost his permits. Due to the fact that the permits were lost, even
though he owns an area today he has had to rent another area. MEPA CEO
sympathized very much with this individual and stated that this case is very
worrying and a solution needs to be found and that MEPA will meet him to
discuss his situation.

Other issues were raised. On areas of containment MEPA
said that there were many open areas that required a structural plan revision.

The issue of eco-contribution and waste packaging was
also mentioned on which MEPA said that it worked closely with GRTU in order to
ensure a fair playing field is established. MEPA CEO said that those that evade
will always be present but he said that Government has organized a committee
for all enforcement Government Authorities to come together to pool resources
and enhance their enforcement efforts.

Mario Debono, GRTU Council Member who represents GRTU on
MEPA Users' Committee, spoke about the need for MEPA not to be too restrictive.
He asked how, for example, MEPA would itself make proposals for new marinas,
which are needed to enhance tourism. He mentioned the marina in Kalkara that
was protected by a floating breakwater instead of fixed, resulting in much less
protection for boats inside the marina. He also mentioned that there should
have also been the construction of a breakwater at Tigne Point.

Mr Debono also delved into the Floor Area Ratio policy.
He asked how MEPA had this policy but was not actuating it. This was not right.
If anything, MEPA should be clear about this policy, or else replace it with a
new Design Guidance Policy, where good design and open spaces not developed are
rewarded with extra floors.

MEPA CEO mentioned that he would like communication to
improve to have feedback from the sector especially when MEPA issues
consultation documents. He said that with consultation policies can only
improve but feedback received was very few. Dr Stafrace said that currently for
instance there is an important consultation related to when an establishment
wants to apply for change of use. Paul Abela informed MEPA that GRTU has a very
effective publication, the GRTU newSTRING, which MEPA can also use as a
communication tool.

Another GRTU Council Member Saviour Vella who represents
cargo hauliers put forward a complaint on Cites saying that cargo hauliers and
importers were experiencing difficulties because of the limited opening hours
of the Cites office that falls under MEPA. Currently the Cites office opens
only for three days a week for a few hours each time. This was holding up goods
and requested that Cites opens more frequently and for longer hours. GRTU also
mentioned the importance of confidentiality when reports are sent to MEPA and
the MEPA Chairmen assured that MEPA already has a strict confidentiality
policy.

The
meeting was concluded and those present were offered the opportunity to meet
MEPA privately on their individual cases. Members having problems and wishing
to discuss issues with MEPA should contact GRTU.

Din hi l-erba' u sittin Laqgha Generali tal-GRTU. Twaqqafna meta Malta kienet fqira u hierga minn Gwerra Dinjija li kissret lill-pajjizna. Wara l-gwerra twaqqfu l-ghaqdiet tal-haddiema ghax il-haddiem kellu bzonn min jaqbez ghalih bil-kbir. Is-Self-Employed u s-sidien tan-negozji iz-zghar wiegbu billi waqqfu il-GRTU.

Il-GRTU sa mill-holqien taghha dejjem kienet ghaqda li mhux biss hi assoccjazzjoni ta' kummercjanti, izda ukoll Union li tiddefendi u timmilita favur l-interessi tas-Self-Employed kollha u tas-sidien tan-negozji izda ukoll ghalkemm mhux partiggjana il-GRTU kienet dejjem forza politika.

Iva, kull fejn rajna li kellna bzonn niehdu azzjoni, anke ta' natura politika fl-interss ta' pajjizna u fl-interess tal-kummercjanti u tal-ekonomija hielsa u tad-demokrazija ahna mhux talli ma qadnix lura, talli konna minn ta' quddiem nett. Il-GRTU matul dawn is-snin kollha li ilha imwaqqfa hadmet mal-Gvernijiet kollha Laburisti ta' Boffa, il-koalizzjoni ta' Boffa u Borg Olivier, il-Gvern ta' Mintoff, Gvern Kolonjali, Gvern ta' Borg Olivier, ta' Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, ta' Fenech Adami, ta' Sant u ta' Gonzi. L-Ebda Gvern qatt ma bezza lill-GRTU. Hdimna ma' kulhadd u l-ebda bidla ma gerxitna. U nibqghu nahdmu ma' kulhadd u nibqghu niddeciedu ahna meta jkun hemm bzonn li nintervjenu u niehdu ukoll azzjoni politika bhal ma ghamilna meta Malta issieltet il-kolonjalizmu, issieltet ghal helsien ta' pajjizna, issieltet ghal helsien kummercjali u ghall-ekonomija hielsa u kontra kull direzzjoni ekonomika ta' impozizzjoni u ta' restrizzjoni, u bhal ma hdimna appertament biex Malta hadet postha bhala membru kburi tal-Unjoni Ewrpoeja u parti integrali mill-Unjoni Monetarja Ewropeja. Jekk Malta xi darba jkollha il-helsien taghha mhedded jew jekk xi darba terga' tqum il-kwistjoni tal-helsien kummercjali ahna ma niddejjqux nergghu nohorgu fuq quddiem nett. Illum izda ghall-grazzja t'Alla u bil-hidma li verament ghozzew il-liberta' Malta taghmel parti minn Unjoni li hi l-akbar salvagwardja tad-demokrazija u l-liberta' tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem u il-liberta' kummercjali.

Id-Demokrazija u l-helsien kummercjali garantit bis-shubijja fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Hrigna ghonqna kontra l-kolonjalizmu, hrigna ghonqna favur l-indipendenza ta' pajjizna u frahna bir-Repubblika u iccelebrajna bil-kbir meta pajjizna inghaqad mal-Unjoni Ewropeja u meta dhalna fl-Ewro. Qatt ma hallejna l-hadd jiddomina u dejjem zammejna messagg u fidi wahda. Ahna nemmnu fil-liberta' tal-kummerc. Nemmnu f'ekonomija libera. Ghalhekk ikkumbattejna kontra l-impozizzjoni kontra ir-regim li honoq il-liberta' kummercjali u kontra min ried icahhadna mill-garanzija ta' kummerc hieles fi hdan Unjoni Ewropeja li temmen fid-demokrazija u fi principji ta' kummerc hieles u hi ghadu tad-dittatura u tar-restrizzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni u kontra kull tip ta' impozizzjoni mhux demokratika u anti-kompettitiva'. Illum Malta qatt ma kienet tant hielsa u tant imharrsa. Ahna biex pajjizna jibqa' jgawdi l-helsien u d-demokrzija naghmlu kollox.

Ahna ghandha fiducja li l-lezzjonijiet tal-passat tghallimnihom bhal ma nittamaw li tghallimhom kulhadd. L-Unjoni Ewropeja mhux avventura izda att ta' fidi. Ahna iddecidejna li pajjiz zghir bhal taghna hu aktar b'sahhtu u aktar mhares u sigur meta jaghmel parti minn familja ta' pajjizi li bhalna jemmnu li l-liberta', s-sigurta' u d-demokrazija jigu qabel kollox.

Id-Demokrazija hi omm l-opportunitajiet indaqs u omm l-kummerc hieles. Ghalhekk ma bzajniex mhux biss li inkunu parti tal-Unjoni Ewropeja imma wkoll li nifthu l-ekonomija taghna, li noffru is-suq zghir taghna biex nirbhu is-suq akbar ta' 500 miljun konsumatur. Ghalhekk hdimna spalla ma' spalla mal-Gvern biex f'Malta jiddahhlu standards, regolari finanzjarji ewropej u sistema' tar-regoli u direttivi li jsahhu il-kompetizzjoni, is-suq hieles li jissalvagwardjaw is-suq kbir simbolu ewropew halli l-imprendituri taghna jkunu jistghu jsiru imprendituri ewropej u ma jibqghux iharrsu biss lejn is-suq ckejken taghna imma jitghallmu jimirhu fi swieq akbar. Ghalhekk li ahna fil-proposti taghna lill-Partiti nenfassizaw hafna aktar tahrig tas-Self-Employed, tas-sidien tan-negozji u l-haddiema taghhom ukoll dejjem nirsistu ghal u nipproponu, skemi, wahda wara l-ohra biex is-sidien tan-negozji iz-zghar li f'Malta jirraprezentaw 95% tal-intraprizi kollha juppgrejdjaw u jghollu il-livelli ta' skills taghhom halli mhux biss ikunu aktar efficjenti f' Malta u jaghtu servizz ahjar lill-konsumaturi f'Malata imma jkunu f'pozizzjoni li jimirhu ukoll u jgawdu mis-suq kbir ewropew. Hu b'hekk biss li n-negozji taghna jistghu jikbru u jghaddu ghall-generazzjonijiet ohra.

Ahna minn ta' quddiem nett bhala ghaqda nazzjonali ta' imprendituri Maltin li qed nahdmu bla waqfien fuq livell ewropew permezz tar-raprezentazzjonijiet taghna fil-European Economic & Social Committee fejn id-Direttur Generali taghna Vince Farrugia mhux biss huwa membru imma huwa ukoll membru tal-Bureau tal-Employers Ewropew u illum huwa persuna ta' certa influwenza u stima  kemm fil-European Social Fund Committee kif ukoll mal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja u mal-organizzazzjonijiet Ewropej li maghhom il-GRTU hija affiljata u fihom il-GRTU hi membru attiv u rispettat bhal il-UEAPME – il-federazzjoni Ewropeja tal-intraprizi zghar u tal-artegjanat u il-Euro Commerce – il-front ta' kummercjanti u Retailers u Traders Ewropej. Il-GRTU permezz tal-President Paul Abela taghmel parti u tippartecipa fil-European Social Fund Committee. Ghall-GRTU hu ta' prestiggju mmens li ahna nominati f'isem l-Employers Maltin mill-Gvern Malti bhala membri ta' dawn l-istituzzjonijiet importanti Ewropej. Fuq front Ewropew permezz tad-Direttur Generali il-GRTU hi ghaqda ewlenija li tahdem u tirsisti biex is-suq komuni Ewropej jitnehhewlu l-ixkiel li baqaghlu halli l-intraprizi zghar minn pajjiz zghir bhal Malta jkunu jistghu jikkompetu u jgawdu bla xkiel zejjed ta' taxxi, licenzji u burokraziji il-vantaggi enormi li joffri suq wiehed ta' 500 miljun konsumatur. Irridu li l-Ewropa tkompli tghaqqadna. Hu ghalhekk li ahna kontra kull min irid ifixkel biex Malta ma tintegrax aktar mal-Ewropa.

Ahna qed nahdmu fuq livell Ewropew biex ikun hawn Budget kbir bizejjed ghas-snin 2014-2020 biex l-Ewropa tkun verament ta' support ghall-aktar integrazzjoni kemm ekonomika kif ukoll f'oqsma bhall-energija. Pajjizi zghar, specjalment dawk li huma energy islands ghax maqtughin mill-Kontinent, bhal ma hi Malta, u jridu kollox mill-vapuri u mill-fuels importati ghaliex m'ghandhomx rizorsi taghhom stess, u ghalhekk bilfors li jrid ikollhom is-sahha tal-fondi Ewropej biex jinhellsu mill-inzularita' tal-energija. Dan bilfors ifisser li l-energy islands bhal Malta iridu investiment qawwi fl-interconnectors u f'gas pipelines li jghaqqduhom mal-kumplament tal-Kontinent. Dwar dan ejja ma noghqodux nargumentaw l-inzularita' tal-energija ghal pajjizna hi theddida ekonomika li nehlisu minnha biss jekk nuzufruttaw is-shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ikollna kemm ikollna power stations f' Malta  in-nefqa ghalina tibqa' dejjem enormi  u il-kapacita' taghna dejjem tiddependi mill-importazzjoni tal-materja prima ahna pajjiz zghir wisq biex ir-rizorsi taghna naghmluhom f'xoghol li nistghu ingibuh lest u nikkoncentraw minflok fuq xoghol ta' value added biex inkabbru l-ekonomija. Fornitura ta' energija sigura u kostanti hi l-akbar garanzija ta' aktar investiment u aktar xoghol.

Fl-Ewropa qed issir hafna xoghol biex il-cost tal-Energija kemm jista' ikun ekwu fil-pajjizi kollha imsiehba fl-Unjoni biex l-intraprizi Ewropej ikunu jistghu verament jikkompetu ras imb' ras. Ghalhekk ahna ghandha inkunu parti minn din il-politika immirata biex teliminha l-energy islands. Il-GRTU lill-Partiti Politici ghamlitilhom il-proposti tal-membri taghha u ghalhekk ahna ma irridux bl-ebda mod nidhlu fil-hafna argumenti dwar il-proposti diversi li qed jidrhu jiddominaw il-kampanja elettorali ta' bhalissa. Ahna irridu produzzjoni ta' energija lokali attiva li tinkludi ukoll proporzjon akbar ta' sorsi godda u alternattivi u ukoll kapacita' ohra  ta' riserva li tintuza biss f'kaz ta' bzonn biex ittina  certu stabbilita' imma nippreferu illi nuzufruttaw bil-kbir l-investimenti kbar f'kull tip ta' energija li qed isiru fil-kumplament tal-Ewropa. Ahna ma nistghu qatt nikkompetu ras imb'ras jekk il-piz tal-elettriku jew l-energija f'kull prodott jew servizz li nipprovdu jkun bhala proporzjon ghola minn ta' haddiehor fl-istess Ewropa.

Il-GRTU tinkwieta meta tara il-credit agencies inaqqsu ir-ratings ta' Malta u ghalhekk li jien nappella bil-kbir lill-Politici kollha biex jaghtu kas hafna ta' dak li jghidu ghax illum zgur Malta m'ghadiex information island. Illum kull ma jinghad f'Malta jigi interpretat barra u sfortunamtament mhux dejjem il-percessjoni tal-barranin tkun tirrifletti l-attwalita' ta' x'inhu jigri fl-ekonomija Maltija. Ahna l-ekonomija Maltija nghixu fiha u nahdmuha u nafu ukoll x'inhu jigri f'pajjizi ohra. Ahna kburin li ahna Maltin u ahna kbrin immens li nirraprezentaw lill-investituri u intraprizi Maltin. Malta ghamlet passi kbar f'kull qasam iddiversifikajna f'oqsma godda bis-sahha ta' investimenti kbar provati u inzzjattivi mill-Gvern u mill-korpi statali bhal Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta , l-MFSA u id-dirigenti tal-portijiet taghna u  ejja ilkoll inkunu kburin b'dak kollu li akkwistajna, dan hu frott tal-Maltin, frott ta' Gvern u tal-imprendituri Maltin u frott tal tal-kapacitajiet tal-haddiema Maltin, id-dibatittu politiku ghandu jiffoka fuq kif se inkabbru u intejjbu it-tajjeb kollu li ghanda. In-negozju tan-nies taghna jista' jghaddi minn zminijiet difficli u jista' wkoll jghaddi min zminijiet relattivament tajbin bhal ma kien b'mod generali matul l-ahhar ghoxrin sena u b'mod partikolari kemm ilna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja fejn in-negozju, kwalita' ta' hajja u standards generali ta' pajjizna marru il-quddiem hafna aktar minn qatt qabel. Il-GRTU hu ghalhekk li thares il-quddiem b'fiducja kbira.

Il-Futur ghalina irid ikun dejjem ibbazat fuq is-sigurta' nazzjonali u il-helsien fid-demokrazija. L-ghajta taghna trid tibqa' dejjem favur min itina l-aktar din il-garanzija.

Jien nixtieq nawgura lilkom u lill-familji taghkom sena 2013 ahjar mis-snin ta' qabel. Nispera li sena ohra niltaqghu ghal 65 anniversarju b'fiducja li l-futur hu garantit.

Illum fil-GRTU inzammet l-erbgha u sittin Laqgha Generali Annwali tal-GRTU. Fil-Laqgha gew approvati l-kunsilliera li se jifformaw l-Kunsill Ezekuttiv ghas-sena 2013, l-membri huma dawn:

Abela Paul, Azzopardi Emanuel, Borg Maurice, Camilleri Sergio, Cutajar Patrick, Debono Mario, Desira Emanuel, Fenech Azzopardi Therese, Fenech Philip, Galea Michael, Galea Stephen, Gauci Noel, Haber Joan, Mizzi Frans, Mizzi Marcel, Vella Josette, Vella Salvu, Zerafa Joseph. Id-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia u Chief Executive Officer ta' Green MT Joe Attard huma membri ex-officio.

Fil-Laqgha d-Direttur Generali ta rendikont fid-dettal tax-xoghol li ghamlet il-GRTU fl-2012. Id-Direttur Generali spjega li l-istruttura tal-GRTU ghaddiet minn riformi kbar biex illum ix-xoghol ewlieni jinqasam f'6 direttorati. L-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb l-amministrazzjoni, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb l-issues kollha li jqumu fuq livell tal-lokalitajiet b'responsabbilita' mill-Kunsilli Lokali, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb il-membership, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb il-kwistjonijiet kollha relatati mal-Unjoni Ewropeja u issues ta' natura ekonomika, l-Ufficcju legali li jiehu hsieb jaghti pariri legali lill-membri u lill-Kumitat tas-sezzjonijiet u kif ukoll lill-Kunsill Ezekkuttiv u jikkumenta fuq dokumenti ta' natura legali u enforcements u l-Ufficcju importanti li jiehu hsieb l-affarijiet ambjentali u issues ta' Renewable Energy u direttivi u pjanijiet ta' natura ambjentali u jiehu hsieb it-tmexxija kummercjali ta' Green MT.

"lx-xoghol li taghmel il-GRTU fuq livell lokali u Ewropew huwa rikonoxxut mhux biss mill-imsiehba imma wkoll minn dawk kollha li jersqu lejn il-GRTU specjalment entitajiet pubblici u nies fil-Kummerc. L-Istess ghax-xoghol uniku li taghmel il-GRTU fuq livell ta' kommunita' lokali li hu tant importanti ghas-sidien tan-negozji kollha f'kull lokalita'. Illum il-GRTU toffri struttura u servizz professjonali li jizboq bil-kbir lil dak kollu li hu offrut minn hafna organizazzjonijiet ohra li jirraprezentaw lill-intraprizi f'pajjizna" sostna d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia.

Id-Direttur Generali tkellem ukoll fuq ix-xoghol li huwa jaghmel fl-EESC bhala rapprezentant tal-Employers Maltin. Illum id-Direttur Generali ghandu hames Rapporti li jolqtu lill-intraprizi Maltin u li huma ppublikati fl-Offical Journal of the European Union.

Id-diskors ewlieni tal-Laqgha Generali Annwali sar minn Paul Abela President tal-Kunsill Ezekuttiv Nazzjonali tal-GRTU. Fid-Diskors tieghu Paul Abela enfasizza:

Il-GRTU matul dawn is-snin kollha li ilha mwaqqfa hadmet mal-Gvernijiet kollha u l-ebda bidla ma gerxitna. U nibqghu nahdmu ma' kulhadd u nibqghu niddeciedu ahna meta jkun hemm bzonn li nintervjenu u niehdu wkoll azzjoni politika bhal ma ghamilna meta hdimna appertament biex Malta hadet postha bhala membru kburi tal-Unjoni Ewrpoeja u parti integrali mill-Unjoni Monetarja Ewropeja. Illum izda ghall-grazzja t'Alla Malta taghmel parti minn Unjoni li hi l-akbar salvagwardja tad-demokrazija u l-liberta' tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem u l-liberta' kummercjali. L-Unjoni Ewropeja mhux avventura izda att ta' fidi.

Ghalhekk ma bzajniex mhux biss li nkunu parti tal-Unjoni Ewropeja imma wkoll li nifthu l-ekonomija taghna. Hdimna spalla ma' spalla mal-Gvern biex f'Malta jiddahhlu standards, regolari finanzjarji ewropej u sistema' tar-regoli u direttivi li jsahhu l-kompetizzjoni, halli l-imprendituri taghna jkunu jistghu jsiru imprendituri ewropej u jitghallmu jimirhu fi swieq akbar. Ghalhekk ahna fil-proposti taghna lill-Partiti nenfassizaw hafna aktar tahrig tas-Self-Employed, tas-sidien tan-negozji, l-haddiema taghhom u dejjem nirsistu u nipproponu skemi, wahda wara l-ohra biex is-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar li f'Malta jirraprezentaw 95% tal-intraprizi kollha japgrejdjaw u jghollu l-livelli ta' skills taghhom halli jkunu f'pozizzjoni li jgawdu mis-suq kbir ewropew. B'hekk biss li n-negozji taghna jistghu jikbru u jghaddu ghall-generazzjonijiet ohra.

Ahna minn ta' quddiem nett bhala ghaqda nazzjonali ta' imprendituri Maltin li qed nahdmu bla waqfien fuq livell ewropew permezz tar-raprezentazzjonijiet taghna fil-European Economic & Social Committee fejn id-Direttur Generali taghna Vince Farrugia mhux biss huwa membru imma huwa ukoll membru tal-Bureau tal-Employers u llum huwa persuna ta' certa influwenza u stima anke mal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja u mal-organizazzjonijiet Ewropej, il-UEAPME u l-EuroCommerce, li maghhom il-GRTU hija affiljata. Il-GRTU permezz tal-President Paul Abela taghmel parti u tippartecipa fil-European Social Fund Committee.

Pajjizi zghar, specjalment dawk li huma energy islands ghax maqtughin mill-Kontinent, bhal ma hi Malta, u jridu kollox mill-vapuri u mill-fuels importati ghaliex m'ghandhomx rizorsi taghhom stess, u ghalhekk bilfors li jrid ikollhom is-sahha tal-fondi Ewropej biex jinhelsu mill-inzularita' tal-energija. Dan bilfors ifisser li l-energy islands bhal Malta iridu investiment qawwi fl-interconnectors u f'gas pipelines li jghaqduhom mal-kumplament tal-Kontinent. Ikollna kemm ikollna power stations f' Malta in-nefqa ghalina tibqa' dejjem enormi. L-inzularita' tal-energija ghal pajjizna hi theddida ekonomika li nehlisu minnha biss jekk nuzufruttaw is-shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Fornitura ta' energija sigura u kostanti hi l-akbar garanzija ta' aktar investiment u aktar xoghol.

Fl-Ewropa qed isir hafna xoghol biex il-cost tal-Energija kemm jista' ikun ekwu fil-pajjizi kollha imsiehba fl-Unjoni biex l-intraprizi Ewropej ikunu jistghu verament jikkompetu ras imb' ras. Il-GRTU lill-Partiti Politici ghamlitilhom il-proposti tal-membri taghha u ghalhekk ahna ma rridux bl-ebda mod nidhlu fil-hafna argumenti dwar il-proposti diversi li qed jidhru jiddominaw il-kampanja elettorali ta' bhalissa. Ahna rridu produzzjoni ta' energija lokali attiva li tinkludi ukoll proporzjon akbar ta' sorsi godda u alternattivi u ukoll kapacita' ohra ta' riserva li tintuza biss f'kaz ta' bzonn biex taghtina certu stabbilita' imma nippreferu illi nuzufruttaw bil-kbir l-investimenti kbar f'kull tip ta' energija li qed isiru fil-kumplament tal-Ewropa. Ahna ma nistghu qatt nikkompetu ras imb'ras jekk il-piz tal-elettriku jew l-energija f'kull prodott jew servizz li nipprovdu jkun bhala proporzjon ghola minn ta' haddiehor fl-istess Ewropa.

Il-GRTU tinkwieta meta tara l-credit agencies inaqqsu r-ratings ta' Malta u ghalhekk li jien nappella bil-kbir lill-Politici kollha biex jaghtu kas hafna ta' dak li jghidu ghax illum zgur Malta m'ghadiex information island. Illum kull ma jinghad f'Malta jigi interpretat barra u sfortunamtament mhux dejjem il-percessjoni tal-barranin tkun tirrifletti l-attwalita' ta' x'inhu jigri fl-ekonomija Maltija. Malta ghamlet passi kbar f'kull qasam iddiversifikajna f'oqsma godda bis-sahha ta' investimenti kbar provati u inizzjattivi mill-Gvern u mill-korpi statali. Ejja lkoll inkunu kburin b'dak kollu li akkwistajna, dan hu frott tal-Maltin, frott ta' Gvern u tal-imprendituri Maltin u frott tal-kapacitajiet tal-haddiema Maltin. Id-dibatittu politiku ghandu jiffoka fuq kif se nkabbru u ntejjbu t-tajjeb kollu li ghandna.

Il-futur ghalina jrid ikun dejjem ibbazat fuq is-sigurta' nazzjonali u l-helsien fid-demokrazija. L-ghajta taghna trid tibqa' dejjem favur min itina l-aktar din il-garanzija.

Jien nixtieq nawgura lilkom u lill-familji taghkom sena 2013 ahjar mis-snin ta' qabel. Nispera li sena ohra niltaqghu ghal 65 anniversarju b'fiducja li l-futur hu garantit.

Id-Diskors kollu tal-President jista' jinstab fuq http://www.grtu.net/.

The
EU's Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) programme has become the main EU
instrument to catalyse the spread of the efficient use of energy, greater use
of renewable energy sources and more efficient transport. It is part of the
overarching EU's Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP).

The
IEE 2013 Call for Proposals has been launched recently. In this respect, the
CIP Malta National Contact Point at Malta Enterprise is organizing an
information session on this year's Call on Wednesday 30th January 2013, from
8.45 to 11.30 hrs. Kindly find attached the invitation which includes key
background information to the IEE programme.

Interested
parties are invited to attend this event. Attendance is free of charge, but
prior registration is required. Registration can be done following this link:
http://bit.ly/UsHsFF

Kindly
note that registration is open till the 28th January 2013.

More
information about the IEE programme and the 2013 Call kindly visit
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/ or contact the CIP National Contact
Point at Malta Enterprise on 2542 0000

Information and communication
technologies (ICT), including office equipment (i.e. computers, displays,
imaging equipment, servers etc.), are one of the fastest growing electricity
end-users in the EU and worldwide. Existing technologies allowing significant
decreases in power consumption are not fully implemented because of persistent
market failures, such as lack of information or split incentives.

The increasing energy consumption of
office equipment and the global nature of the ICT market provide a strong
rationale for international regulatory cooperation in this domain. It is
against this background that the EU and the US signed an Agreement on the
coordination of energy-efficiency labelling programmes for office equipment, OJ
L 381, 28.12.2006, p. 26 (hereafter the ‘Agreement') in December 2000. The
Agreement, which was renewed in 2006 for a second 5-year period, provides the basis
for the implementation of the ENERGY STAR programme in the EU (hereafter ‘the
programme'). ENERGY STAR is a voluntary energy-efficiency labelling programme
run by the US Environment Protection Agency (hereafter ‘EPA'). It is
implemented in several other economies, including Japan, Canada and Australia,
through agreements similar to that with the EU.

On the basis of the Agreement, the
EPA and the Commission jointly manage the ENERGY STAR programme for office
equipment. ENERGY STAR is an integral part of the EU's energy efficiency policy
as set out in the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, COM (2006) 545 final. It
aims to ‘pull' the office equipment market up towards greater efficiency and
thus complements the Eco design Directive 2009/125/EC, OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, p.
10., which acts to ‘push' the market through mandatory or voluntary minimum
efficiency requirements.

As the Agreement expired in December
2011, this communication assesses the merits of its possible renewal on the
basis of:

– Experience in the implementation of
the programme in the EU

– An assessment of the effectiveness
of the programme in improving the energy efficiency of office

equipment

– Planned modifications to the US
Energy Star programme

The programme has been implemented in
the EU by Council Decision 2006/1005/EC, OJ L 381, 28.12.2006, p. 24 and by
Regulation (EC) No 106/2008 on a Community energy-efficiency labelling
programme for office equipment, OJ L 39, 13.02.2008, p. 1

Further
information about related documentation can be found: http://www.mccaa.org.mt/en/consultations

The Deployment Of Innovative
Lighting Technologies – The Green Paper is part of the
Digital Agenda for Europe flagship initiative (COM(2010) 245 final/2) under the
Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The Green
Paper sets out the key issues to be addressed in a European strategy aiming to
accelerate the deployment of high-quality Solid State Lighting (SSL) for
general lighting. It is designed to help Europe achieve its key energy
efficiency, industrial and innovation policy objectives of Europe 2020.

The aim of this strategy is to
encourage the development and uptake of clean and energy efficient heavy-duty
vehicles, light-duty vehicles, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and
quadricycles.  This strategy aims to
provide an appropriate and technology neutral policy framework for clean and
energy efficient vehicles.

The following power trains are
considered:

Alternative fuels to burn in
combustion engines to substitute petrol or diesel fuel include liquid bio-fuels
and gaseous fuels (including LPG, CNG and biogas). They offer a potential to
reduce the environmental impact of road transport through reduced CO2 and
pollutant emissions.

Electric vehicles use an electric
motor to move the vehicle and are recharged with electricity. The energy is
stored in batteries or in other alternative storage systems on board the
vehicle.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can
also deliver similar environmental benefits to battery electric vehicles. They
also have electric motors but generate the electricity on board the vehicle
from hydrogen fuel using fuel cells, producing only water vapour.

The strategy builds on existing
ongoing measures and sets out medium- to long-term actions.  It will exploit the synergies between
improving internal combustion engines and introducing ultra-low-carbon technologies.

The Commission will ensure that
European research continues targeting low carbon fuels and clean and energy
efficient transport, including the improvement of conventional engines,
electric drive trains including alternative battery and hydrogen technologies.

You
are kindly being requested to provide your feedback by contacting the Technical
Regulations Division of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority by
e-mail: ,

The VAT Department has announced that as from 16th January
2013, the ordering, collection and returning of Manual Fiscal Receipt Booklets
should be at Intercomp or GBS Ltd. GRTU has objected to the fact that firms in direct
competition with Intercomp or GBS Ltd are forced to take highly confidential
information of a commercial nature to a direct competitor. GRTU is in discussion with the Ministry for Finance to ensure
that VAT registered traders who object to the utilization of the Intercomp or
GBS Ltd facilities will be able to continue to use normal VAT Department
offices.

GRTU has assessed once again the
performance of business prior, during, and followed by sales during the festive
season. This survey was carried out amongst various sectors within GRTU.

The sectors include the following;
wearing apparel (clothing & shoes), supermarkets & food stores,
electronic and IT equipment, household, automobiles, jewellers, hospitality and
leisure, wellness and beauty, pharmacy/medical and giftware.

Businesses surveyed were asked to
compare their sales performance for this year against 2011 resulting in the
following; 37% reported an increase on last year's sales, 40% reported a
decrease and 8% reported sales at the same level of the previous year.

When asked what were the positive and
negative issues affecting sales during the festive season, respondents reported
the following;

46% said that it was the business
tactics and incentives they introduced; 11% said  the favourable weather; 6% said that it was
the results of their sales promotion, while 3% reported that it was the opening
of a new retail outlet and the opening on Sundays that reflected this positive
outlook.

On the negative aspect 37% said that
they were affected by the current political instability, 17% were business
finance, 9% said that it was the lack of parking and the ongoing works, 6% said
changes in registration tax and 3% indicated that online shopping, early sales,
severe competition and stock delivery problems also affected their sales in the
negative.

When asked which week during the
festive season was the best week for sales, respondents replied as follows;

31% week beginning the 22nd,  29% week beginning 14th, 23% week beginning
the 8th Dec and 6% week beginning the 29th .

Amongst the most popular products
sold during this festive season were; tablets, 
gadgets and IT equipment, clothes and shoes, jewellery, perfumes,  gift packs, food and wine.