Author: SME Chamber

Suggests
banning trouble makers as a deterrent – On 13th November the Parliamentary
Social Affairs Committee (SAC) met to follow up on the report Towards More
Security and Good Order in Paceville. This report included an extensive list
of issues raised by members of the commercial association, residents in the
area and council members, amongst others. The report speaks about the all the
problematic issues in Paceville, amongst which security, waste management,
excessive noise, lack of CCTV cameras and so on.

Philip Fenech, GRTU deputy president
and Paceville business community representative was also present. During the
meeting Mr Fenech proposed a solution to one of the most sensitive issues in
Paceville, which is violence and aggressive incidents which end up as criminal
offences. Mr Fenech proposed that a deterrent would be initiated whereby
trouble makers would be banned from being in Paceville during specific times
and for a specific period. This he said because fines are not effective enough
and banning trouble makers from being in the place they enjoy creating trouble
in would further discourage them from causing trouble.

Mr Fenech also mentioned the need to increase the level of
security in the area, cameras should be positioned in a way to have a broader
view so that any incidents witnessed can be recorded efficiently. These images
will also assist police officers in their criminal enquiries.

If you do, you are most welcome to dispose of it at
bring-in-sites located within the Siggiewi Local Council. If by chance, you are reported doing this and you happen to
live in Siggiewi then we assure you that you will have no problem contesting
your case at our Law Courts. Of course you will probably be using the Local
Mayor as your defense Counsel. What irony! The Local Mayor is supposedly a Pro
Environment individual who is able to hold on to the votes of those who
continue to make a mess of the Bring-in-Sites within his locality.

We truly wonder why Green MT, the Waste Packaging Compliance
Scheme currently in agreement with Siggiewi Local Council, continues to clean
these sites day in, day out. The mess continues to grow because there is ample
support from the local council. And when we say this, we fully shoulder the
responsibility. I, for one will dispose of my next bath tub not at the
bring-in-site but write in front of the front door of the Siggiewi Local
Council.

Maybe then, the Local Mayor will not be my defense Counsel.

Green MT, the national authorised waste
packaging compliance scheme, has recently donated 400 cloth bags to Sta. Lucia
Girls Secondary School. This "Bag For Life" is part of Green MT's
environmental campaign aiming towards sustainability of resources.

The School Administration, will be
using these bags as packaging for the traditional "Borza ta' San
Martin". The school has sold these bags with their contents to students
and parents with final proceeds going to the Community Chest Fund. Green MT continues
with its unending efforts to make sure that our young generation does away with
one time throw away packaging.

Sta. Lucia is one of the Local Councils
that works hand in hand with Green MT to make sure that recycling mentality
continues to grow within the locality. Of course it is important that this
College, within the parameters of Sta.Lucia continues to work hand in hand with
the initiatives of both Green MT and the Local Council.

Green MT would like to thank the School
Administration for such initiatives, which are both environmental and
philanthropic towards creating better communities.

GRTU's Director General and EESC
Employer's representative Vincent Farrugia has today presented, as keynote
speaker, the EESC Opinion which he drafted as rapporteur on tackling
cross-border inheritance tax obstacles within the EU. The presentation took
place today during the conference entitled Tackling cross-border IHT problems
as an expert's response to the Commission's proposal. The invitation came by
the Commission because it "highly appreciated your work as rapporteur for the
opinion on inheritance tax…we would be honoured if you would present the
opinion and its main conclusions".

The number of EU citizens moving
between Member States (MS) increased from 3 million in 2005 to 12.3 million in
2010, and cross-border real estate ownership in the EU increased by up to 50%.
EU citizens who inherit assets across national MS borders are frequently faced
with taxation in two or more different MS (i.e. double or multipletaxation) and
tax discrimination. In an attempt to address these problems, the Commission
presented a Communication in 2011 and an accompanying Recommendation.

The EESC is in favour of removing
such obstacles, and welcomes the Commission's approach. The EESC however
suggests more effective measures to achieve the 
final aims. It proposes practical mechanisms that would ensure the
efficient interfacing of national tax systems while encouraging MS to operate
double/multiple taxation relief mechanisms in a more effective and flexible
manner. It encourages the Commission to look into the distortionary effects
arising from differences in the computation of the inheritance tax base by
different national tax jurisdictions, by setting common principles based on
fair net asset valuations and which safeguard the business entity unit.

The Opinion calls for actively
promoting more effective, efficient and citizen-friendly taxation systems, with
the least possible burden. Finally the EESC Opinion calls on the creation of an
EU Taxation Observatory that would contribute to the more effective resolution
of inheritance tax obstacles on an ongoing basis through research and
investigations and provide fora for consultation, collaboration and agreement
between different national tax jurisdictions.

At its 483rd plenary session, held on
18 September 2012, the EESC adopted the opinion by 135 votes to 1 with 11
abstentions. This is one of 4 Opinions adopted as EESC which were drafted by
Vince Farrugia as rapporteur. It was then published in the official journal of
the EU. 

Other keynote speakers included
Algirdas Semeta, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union as well
as the Director and other representatives from DG TAXUD.

According to the Commission's autumn economic forecast, the
short-term outlook for the EU economy remains fragile, but a gradual return to
GDP growth is projected for 2013, with further strengthening in 2014. The
figures released on 7 November show GDP contracting on an annual basis by 0.3%
in the EU and 0.4% in the euro area in 2012. GDP growth for 2013 is projected
at 0.4% in the EU and 0.1% in the euro area. Unemployment in the EU is expected
to remain very high.

The full forecast and the country specific forecast is
available at:

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/eu/forecasts/2012_autumn_forecast_en.htm

GRTU
would like to know about any difficulties you may have encountered in the
penetration of the US market and the existence of non-tariff barriers (NTBs)?
We would really appreciate your feedback by Thursday 15th November 2012.

Contact
Abigail Mamo at

Parliament's president Martin Schulz
has joined in a chorus of congratulations on Barack Obama re-election as US
president. Obama was looking forward to another term in office after his
close-run victory over Republican Mitt Romney. In a statement on Wednesday, Schulz,
a German deputy, said, "The EU and the US are the world's closest allies –
our partnership is based on a wide range of common values and shared
interests."

"Members of Congress and of
parliament must be brought together to ensure the best possible legislation for
both sides of the Atlantic. Parliament is strongly committed to deepening this
relationship, not only at executive-to-executive level, but in the daily
business of our two legislatures."

The British Tory added, "One of
the EU's first priorities must be to open formal negotiations towards a
transatlantic trade deal, and it must be prepared to go that extra mile to get
agreement.

"The EU must ensure that the
United States does not turn its economic and geopolitical attention towards the
Pacific, at our expense."

Edison added, "The recovering
strength of the US economy shows that Obama's policies have put the country on
the right course while his historic reform of the healthcare system underlines
his commitment to social justice and equality for all Americans. "There is
still a lot to be done, but I am sure that we will continue to see
progress."

In a statement, the think tank said,
"Chronically high US unemployment and his overwhelming support among
Europeans places the president in a strong position on both sides of the ocean
to push for a trans-Atlantic free trade agreement (TAFTA). Such a move would
require little political capital.

"Europe's recent moves towards
implementing policies that provide greater balance between austerity and growth
closely align with the president's position. His new administration is likely
to continue emphasising the need for economic expansion and greater consumption
at home and abroad.

"Obama will find among European
leaders many allies for his approach, but it could cause friction in
German-American relations."

The European Commission has published
a Communication setting out its action plan for online gambling. A series of
initiatives over the next two years will address key areas including compliance
of national regulatory frameworks with EU law; improvements in administrative
cooperation and efficient enforcement; the protection of consumers and
citizens, minors and vulnerable groups; and the prevention of fraud and money
laundering. Online gambling is one of the fastest growing service activities in
the EU, with annual growth rates of almost 15% and an estimated €13 billion in
annual revenues in 2015.

Invitation for an information session for Maltese Stakeholders – On 21 and 22 May 2013, Malta will be
hosting the European Maritime Day conference, held at the Mediterranean
Conference Centre in Valletta.The European Maritime Day is
celebrated each year on 20 May since 2008. (This annual event was established
jointly by the European Council, the European Parliament and European Commission
as part of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy launched in 2007.)

Public events will be organised on
Sunday 19th and Monday 20th of May. It is planned to organise a broad range of
activities to show, promote, discuss and celebrate the value of long standing
maritime tradition in our islands as well as various policies related to the
seas and coasts.

The EMD
2013 CONFERENCE

The main theme of the European
Maritime Day 2013 Conference will focus on sustainable coastal and maritime
tourism in the wider context of Blue Growth. It will be an occasion to reflect,
at high level, on how to make Blue Growth happen through sustainable tourism,
connectivity and coastal management. A special focus will be made on the
Mediterranean Region.

The European Maritime Day Conference
is spread over two days.  The first day
(the Political Day) is dedicated to plenary sessions and high-level discussions.  The second day is Stakeholders' Day and
consists of a series of workshops organised by stakeholders themselves on
topics related to the EU's integrated maritime policy. In addition stakeholders
can put up stands in an exhibition area at the conference venue.

The conference is a very good
opportunity to network with other maritime stakeholders not only at a local
level but also at EU level.  It is an
excellent opportunity to capture market exposure and to exchange experience and
knowledge in a highly stimulating environment.  

INFORMATION
SESSION

Stakeholders can participate in the
EMD in a number of ways.  Further details
will be provided in an Information Session for Maltese Stakeholders to be
purposely held on Monday, 12th November 2012 to. 

The EMD Stakeholder Information
Session is being conjointly organized by the Maltese authorities (the Ministry
for Infrastructure, Transport and Communication, the Ministry for Tourism,
Culture and Environment), the European Commission (Directorate General for Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries), and the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee