Why did you become an entrepreneur? I was married to an entrepreneur. How have you come to choose your line of business? It is a family line of business
Where did you go on your last holiday?
Greece – I was born there so I like everything
What is your earliest memory?
2nd World War – when I was 3 years old
If you could chose to be someone famous who would you be and why?
I am happy as I am !
Fl-okkażjoni tat-tmien anniversarju mis-sħubija ta' Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropea, il-MEUSAC se jorganizza konferenza nazzjonali f'Għawdex dwar l-esperjenza ta' Għawdex bħala gżira-reġjun fl-Unjoni Ewropea matul dawn l-aħħar tmien snin.
Din il-konferenza se ssir nhar it-Tlieta, 12 ta' Ġunju 2012, fil-Grand Hotel, l-Imġarr, Għawdex.
Matul il-konferenza ser tingħata ħarsa dettaljata dwar kif Għawdex għamel użu mill-fondi tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Ikun hemm ukoll diskussjoni b'panel magħmul minn numru ta' esponenti minn diversi setturi Għawdxin. L-udjenza preżenti tkun mistiedna tagħti l-kontribut tagħha u tipparteċipa b'mod attiv.
Id-diskors tal-għeluq tal-konferenza ser isir mill-Prim Ministru ta' Malta, L-Onor. Lawrence Gonzi.
Kull min jixtieq jirreġistra, huwa ġentilment mitlub jibgħat email fuq u fiha jinkludi l-isem u l-kunjom ta' kull min se jattendi, l-isem tal-organizazzjoni li qed tkun rappreżentata, kif ukoll numru tat-telefown, jew iċempel fuq 2200 3300 u jsaqsi għal Brian Pace.
GRTU has this week written to the Minister for education and the Minister responsible for land stating that GRTU has been made aware by its members that there are around 12 buildings designated to be utilised as schools, which due to a number of reasons are not functioning as such.
The private sectors is very much in need of such buildings and we do feel it is a pity they are being deprived of such an opportunity when these buildings are in reality available. The private sector would rent these buildings to be used as they were originally designed to be used, as schools.
GRTU stated that it is aware that some ‘school buildings' have been condemned and therefore are currently vacant. The private sector is willing to carry out the necessary investments so that these buildings can be restored and used once again as schools. We are unfortunately also aware that there are other ‘school buildings' which have been given as office space and in the evenings utilised for evening classes. Today at the same time the private sector is utilising buildings designated for office space as schools because they cannot find schools to rent.
GRTU believes this is an issue that should be taken seriously not only because it will maximise the utilisation of resources, but it will also generate extra income for the Government and it saves the private sector from buying virgin land to build a school.
On a general note GRTU believes closer cooperation with the private sector should be further explored. For instance there are a number of state schools that have a very low number of students, which would constitute a perfect example of a possible private-public partnership that would guarantee to the Government that the local children are catered for and the use of the building would be maximised.
GRTU asked for an opportunity to further discuss the topic.
GRTU has this week written to the Prime Minister to express its disappointment that following tests with heavy fuel oil (HFO) carried out on the new power station, and a picture of the smoke emitted was presented to him personally during the meeting with the GRTU National Executive Council at the PN headquarters, MEPA has since extended permits for such tests till June 2013.
GRTU stated that recently, in the period during which tests were being carried out, restaurant owners and other GRTU members in Marsaxlokk reported that they were approached by customers apologizing for having to leave the table early as they could not stand the ‘heavy burning plastic stench'. Similar reports of burning tar or plastic stench came also from Marsascala, Paola, Siggiewi and central Malta up to even Sliema.
The smell is heavily affecting business in the area, especially the restaurant community of Marsaxlokk.
GRTU believes such testing by MEPA is unnecessary and one does not need a British University to tell us the obvious and that the Marsaxlokk waterfront and other towns and villages are being intoxicated. Anyone can see and smell the yellowish cloud coming out of the 4 new chimneys when the plant is run on HFO.
GRTU officials have monitored the cloud recently as it followed the air currents and diffused. On that particular day, the Marsaxlokk Harbour saw its normally blue skies turn yellow. The cloud then proceeded to Birzebbugia and Hal Far and it could be witnessed going out at sea in a circle and landing back on land in an area ranging from the three cities up to Sliema. It then diffused on various localities up to central Malta such as Birkirkara, Siggiewi, Zurrieq, Qrendi, Mqabba, Gudja, Tarxien, Zebbug, Qormi, Marsa and then out to sea again.
The effects are therefore evident and the Maltese population and business should no longer be made to suffer the effects of HFO, not even for testing. The result is unbearable. You do not have to be an expert to realise HFO is in no way the way forward. There are other fuels that can be utilised which have a much lower impact and we should not keep holding back on using them. If Malta has already spent its money on a supply of HFO we have to sell it or find alternative uses for it. If one is naïve enough to look only at the financial aspect, it would still not be feasible to use HFO as it going to cost us more in human illnesses, loss of work and cures.
GRTU requested a reply, one which explains Government's sensible plans as to the fuel the Power Station is to be run on from now on.
GRTU has this week written to the Prime Minister following the fact that GRTU had always objected very strongly that in order to tackle the few identified faults so many more operators are made to suffer, at no fault of their own, when such important scheme are suddenly suspended. This has already happened not so long ago and the effects on the industry were devastating. The industry will not survive another wave of lost orders, idle workers and cash flow crises.
GRTU noted with desolation the suspension of the Malta Enterprise ERDF energy scheme where the installation of PV equipment on commercial and industrial property is mostly affected. The scheme was intended to aid companies install clean energy producing equipment, lowering their utility bills, and in turn aiding the government reach its renewable energy targets. The scheme generated around 300 projects, with a minimum direct effect on at least 600 companies between beneficiaries and suppliers. In the process hundreds of green jobs are created, and the savings done by the beneficiaries allow them to create more jobs.
The amounts of revenue for the Government in taxes, VAT, N.I. and reduction of un-employment benefits greatly outdo the 15% financed by the Maltese Government paid as grant. The scheme should also help the Government avoid hefty penalties or having to resort to buying green credits from other EU countries by the end of 2012 to counteract not reaching the renewable energy target of 2%, and also helps reduce emissions from our power-stations reducing illnesses and health related costs.
GRTU therefore believed this en-bloc suspension is anti-commercial, indiscriminate and will have an adverse effect on the country as a whole. It is counterproductive in the sense that while it safeguards a relatively small amount of cash, it compromises much larger amounts and benefits as described above. It also creates huge difficulties due to cash flow issues, as well as loss of confidence in government institutions. It will hit hard hundreds of firms at a difficult time, endangering all the government and private sector have painstakingly been working hard to avoid, loss of jobs.
GRTU insisted that following two detailed investigations carried out, one by ME's auditors and the other by independent auditors, to find out which companies were involved in wrongdoing, it is believed that given the suspension ME must have a list of ‘presumed guilty' suppliers, although this is legally not correct.
Likewise, ME should have a clear picture of which companies are ‘presumed innocent', and with such information at hand, ME should publish the list of the companies that are ‘presumed innocent' and revise the en-bloc suspension to a selective one, allowing ‘presumed innocent' companies to carry on business as usual. The published list should be continuously and timely updated as more investigations are carried out and more companies are declared innocent.
GRTU is all in favour of Government taking harsh action towards those proven guilty so that a repeat is avoided but the rest cannot be affected. It is not acceptable for all other beneficiaries to suffer, the Scheme must not be suspended.
GRTU welcomes the objectives of the European Commission's Communication on a European Consumer Agenda, which acknowledges the importance of empowering consumers and boosting their trust in the Internal Market. Customers are the lifeblood of reputable, reliable traders, and meeting consumer needs is the purpose of their business.
Going well beyond the minimum legal requirements is the key to retail success and it plays an important role in giving individual businesses a competitive edge in a highly competitive market place. Competition helps consumers get a good deal, and drives innovation and productivity. Strong competition results in controlled inflation and increased quality and choice.
As the closest link in the chain to the consumer, any measure taken in the field of consumer protection/safety, has impact on businesses. Therefore, GRTU stresses the importance of a framework within which businesses and consumers can work together with the EU institutions to meet the needs and address the concerns of both consumers and businesses. This is the way to produce reasonable and workable solutions, rather than treating them as two separate and opposing groups.
We are pleased that the Commission acknowledges the importance of better enforcement of existing consumer legislation. Without proper enforcement, consumers will not be able to fully benefit from the advantages put in place for them. It will only drive down innovation, consumer choice and drive up prices. Both consumers and businesses need to be educated and informed so they are aware of their rights and duties.
As you might already be aware GRTU is working on facilitating and encouraging business opportunities between Libya and Malta. A meeting for GRTU members has already been held in this regard.
Date: 1st June, Venue: GRTU , Time: 12:00pm
Libya has issued a new Investment Law, which is an important development for enterprises currently eying Libya. The specifications of this law are of great interest to businesses having an interest in Libya and GRTU has therefore invited Libyan lawyers to Malta to explain it. The Investment Law includes aspects such as: Foreign Investment, ownership of companies, income and excise taxation, banking, licensing, minimum capital required, etc. Malta Enterprise will also be supporting this event.
This information will help you to concretise and rationalize any plans you might have with regards to Libya.
If you want to attend you need to register by contacting Abigail Mamo on or 21232882.
The meeting will be open to GRTU members, whilst non-members will have to pay a Eur 25 fee or otherwise enroll as members of the GRTU.
GRTU Director General and EESC employers' representative Vincent Farrugia has this week chaired the second EESC study group on the Commission Communication on Youth Opportunities Initiative, issued at the end of last year. Mr Farrugia argued that SMEs are the largest employers and within SMEs exists the capacity absorb the largest number of unemployed. They must however be supported, with access to finance, financial incentives and schemes for employment, in order to provide them with the capacity to employ.
The Youth Opportunities Initiative builds upon the EU 2020 flagship initiatives 'Youth on the Move' and 'New Skills for New Jobs', as well as on the June 2011 Council Conclusions on youth employment and the Council Recommendations on early school leavers. Although both education and employment policies are primarily the responsibility of Member States, the European Commission can make an important contribution. One of the key elements of the Youth Opportunities Initiative is that the European Commission will help Member States to use the European Social Fund (ESF) more efficiently, in particular knowing that 30 billion euro within the ESF is still uncommitted to projects.
Between 2008 and 2010 youth unemployment has increased by one million reaching the unacceptable level of more than 5 million unemployed young people. This means that on average one in five young people on the labour market cannot find a job and in certain Member States it is almost every second young person willing to work who faces this problem. The youth unemployment rate is twice as high as for the whole working population and nearly three times as high as the rate for the adult active population.
In most European countries there is an ageing society. Europe's development will not be sustainable if millions of young people are lost for society. Between now and 2020, it is estimated that there will be 73 million job openings due to retirement of the baby-boomer generation of workers. These will need to be filled with appropriately qualified new staff. If no action is taken to better integrate young people in the labour market, and especially the early school leavers, millions of them will risk facing persistent difficulties and marginalisation over time.
Vince Farrugia presented his comments as follows:
Support to entrepreneurship
Support to tackle skills mismatches
Support to companies to foster the recruitment of young people
Support to Member States to adapt education and training systems
"GRTU Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises will be taking legal action in the coming days if Government persists in denying our members their legitimate request to be exempt from Eco Contribution Payment on all Electrical and Electronic goods if they are members of an Authorised WEEE Scheme. Five years of waiting is far too long."
This was stated by GRTU Official Joe Attard during a packed meeting held for all producers currently registered with the Competent Authority as producers of such waste. After so many years Government still insists that it cannot do away with the current income of €8M currently being received through payment of Eco Contribution for placing such products on the market. The producers present were given a background of the discussions that took place in relation to the implementation this Legal Notice 63 of 2007, which obliges producers of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) to recover 4kg per capita through Schemes or through self compliance. So much time has passed that there has been a review of the Directive at European level and the WEEE recast now obliges a recovery of 65% of what is placed on the market, so from a target recovery of 1600 tons (for Malta), the producers now require a minimum recovery of 9000 tons.
The cardinal issue has always been the payment of Eco Contribution and Government's insistence that although there is a payment of Eco Contribution, producers also have to comply to Legal Notice 63 of 2007 through self compliance or through an Authorised Scheme, by also paying the Scheme to provide compliance.
GRTU has made its position very clear on this issue. Businesses are ready to pay once for their environmental obligations, and it stops there. Government at present is requesting a double payment, the payment of Eco Contribution and also providing the logistics for recovery, dismantling, treatment and final recycling of WEEE, through another financial contribution. This is not acceptable and will never be acceptable. We will stand our ground.
GRTU Official Joe Attard, explained that during a recent meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi and his special delegate Dr Simon Busutill, the subject was tabled for discussion and being a technical matter, the Prime Minister requested GRTU to write in detail to the same Prime Minister for related action to be taken. Until then one could see that there was some sort of a political will for a solution.
GRTU wrote to the Prime Minister as instructed, and accordingly the information was forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Investment (MFIN) for a decision to be taken. During a meeting held between GRTU officials and MFIN, in the presence of Mr Peter Portelli, Permanenet Secretary OPM, and Dr Christopher Ciantar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs, GRTU was advised that at present the Government cannot lose an income of €8M from Eco Contribution currently received from such goods, and as such there is no tangible way to implement exemptions from Eco Contribution so that businesses comply to their legal obligation through Schemes. These words were utterred despite the fact that during the same meeting, the Permanent Secretaries present brought to the attention of the Permanent Secretary MFIN, the fact that Malta is facing an imminent infringment notice from the European Community in respect to this European Directive.
GRTU will not take this any longer. We have stuck to the table of discussion for unending years. However since implementation of this Directive seems to be a forlorn wish, the matter was discussed by the National Executive Council of the GRTU and it was agreed that GRTU will take up the matter with the European Commission as a safeguard to protect enterprise owners from any negative impact of any infringment procedures that the Commission may take against the Maltese Authorities due to Malta's failure to meet its obligations under EU Directives, inspite of the Business Community efforts led by GRTU, to cause Government to establish the correct mechanisms that would make compliance possible.
On the local front GRTU will file a Judicial Protest in respect to the matter on behalf of its members and will await then to see whether there is the political will to solve this issue or whether this important environmental issue will only come second or third on the national agenda…
In the meantime GRTU advised its members and producers of WEEE present to send in their annual market placement as requested by MEPA, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority through on line registration until 1st June 2012, for basis year 2011. GRTU also advised its members present to copy to GRTU with the ‘acknowledgment' received from MEPA after the registration has been effected.
