Author: SME Chamber

This conference was organised as part of Crosswork project

Applications open until 31 July on maltabusinessawards.mt

Following the success of the first edition, the second edition of the Malta Business Awards is being launched today by the Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Malta Enterprise and the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise.

With the launch of the awards, applications opened which will remain open until 31 July.

The launch was carried out by Enterprise Minister Miriam Dalli together with Malta Enterprise Chief Executive Kurt Farrugia, President of the Chamber of SMEs Paul Abela and Chief Executive Abigail Agius Mamo.

Malta Enterprise Chief Executive Kurt Farrugia explained that these awards are a tool for businesses to showcase the work they have been doing. We look forward to seeing applications and encouraging businesses to apply. As Malta Enterprise we are very glad to continue supporting initiatives that drive innovation and sustainability in business as we believe this is the way forward.

Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Hon. Miriam Dalli said that economic growth is driven by the dedication and hard work of enterprises in our country.

“This should also serve as an inspiration for our businesses to be more sustainable, digital, meet the needs of their customers and ensure competitiveness. We want every business in Malta to achieve and exceed its own goals where the services and products offered will be of excellence, which not only serve our country’s customers, but also abroad,” Minister Dalli said.

She continued that the Malta Business Awards serve to show us success stories, where one learns from the other. “Above all they are an opportunity for each enterprise to see how it will improve its service and processes.”

The Chief Executive of the Malta Chamber of SMEs Abigail Agius Mamo urged businesses to apply for the Malta Business Awards by 31st July at www.maltabusinessawards.mt

Agius Mamo explained that companies can apply for more than one prize. It also announced that the first selected companies would be announced on 11 September and the finalists would be announced on 30 October. The final evening will take place on 1 December 2023.

For more information about the Malta Business Awards one can visit www.maltabusinessawards.mt.

4 Sight Group in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised the 2nd edition of Flow 23 – The Digital Transformation Event.

The conference included the participation of over 150 delegates form various sectors to learn about the latest technologies, such as AI and automation, and how they can help businesses streamline their operations and improve efficiency.

Participants had the opportunity to network with other business leaders and learn from their experiences.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with the Customs Department organised a Webinar on the recent changes in Declaration of Non-Harmonised Goods (Excise Duty). 

The Webinar included explanations related to:  

• Process to Register for an Excise Registered Merchant; 
• The new process on the Simplified Customs Declaration Scheme; and
• The new procedure as of 1st of May 2023, the 48 working hours or the 5 working days with regards to when the concession could be submitted will no longer be applicable; 

Member may request the link to view the webinar by sending an email to .

The Malta Chamber of SMEs notes with satisfaction the massive turnout for participation in the Invitation to Bid (ITB) issued by the Energy Ministry via the REWS (Regulator for Energy and Water Services) for the award of financial support for electricity from renewable energy. The participants were bidding for the feed-in tariff rate that Government will give them when they feed the power they generate into the national electricity grid. The proposed projects are all privately owned solar farms that they are planning to build and finance.

Over subscription in this case is a watershed moment for Malta. Malta has really turned a new page in renewable energy production. Clearly, there is investment appetite as well as confidence from Private Enterprise in the future of the country. It is also evidence of the good work being done by the Energy Ministry as well as encouragement for the Ministry to work together with stakeholders such as the Malta Chamber of SMEs to achieve even more.

Of a total of 50MW power generation through the proposed projects, only 19MW will materialize due to capping imposed on the capacity that can be installed. We strongly urge Government to raise the limits imposed so that the remaining projects are green-lit as soon as possible. It would be a pity if these investors lose interest; keeping up the momentum will likely attract new investors which will eventually result in putting Malta on the European renewable energy map. Encouraging more investment, such as this, one will enable the nation to reach its renewable energy targets. Funds currently being spent abroad to purchase energy can instead be diverted to the local economy, Industry and Employers.

A Press Conference was held on May 26th, organized by the Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with CRPD. The purpose of the conference was to present the findings of a survey conducted by the Malta Chamber of SMEs among its members regarding Web Accessibility.

The attendees at the Press Conference included Hon Julia Farrugia Portelli, Permanent Secretary Ms. Nancy Caruana, CRPD Commissioner Ms. Samantha Pace Gasan, and two representatives from FITA.

A significant number of survey respondents expressed their willingness to improve the accessibility of their websites for people with disabilities, particularly through financial assistance and support programs. However, the main challenges identified by businesses in enhancing website accessibility were financial constraints, a shortage of staff, and a lack of information and expertise on how to make websites more accessible.

During the Press Conference, the Malta Chamber of SMEs and CRPD provided the following recommendations based on the survey findings, recognizing that the survey serves as an initial step in identifying areas for improvement in online accessibility:

The recommendations are:

* Revise the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to be more user-friendly.

* Further collaboration between the government and stakeholders to organize outreach activities aimed at educating the business community about Web Content Accessibility.

* A quality mark acknowledging and rewarding businesses that have achieved web accessibility.

* Additional initiatives and financial assistance should be introduced to assist businesses in meeting the requirements of existing laws regarding accessible website content.

* A Help Desk for businesses seeking to improve the accessibility of their websites.

* Compilation of a list of service providers, through FITA or other, that can effectively aid in the process of enhancing website accessibility.

Click here to view Press Conference

 

It’s all about understanding each other better at work! Effective communication and understanding among colleagues are amongst the key factors in fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. Building good work relationships helps individuals to understand each other better, collaborate more efficiently, resolve conflicts, and foster an atmosphere of trust and respect.

We can all be different, act differently and behave in a unique way. This is perfectly fine if we manage to still respect and trust each other in the right way. Every player is unique and must play his/her important role for the success of the team. This is where the focus needs to be. We need to focus more on the current characteristics of the team whilst still aiming to win and achieve the desired results.

Time to shift our focus. It is now the time to stop looking the wrong way since this won’t allow entrepreneurs and decision-makers to set the right direction for their people and the organisation. It is only the team, the people, who will make it happen and achieve the results.

“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” This quote by Alexander Den Heijer is one that can shift our perspective immediately. To enhance understanding and foster better communication in the workplace, let’s make sure to active listen, embrace diversity, communicate clearly and respectfully, embrace empathy, promote open communication, engage in team building activities and promote learning and development to help people develop their soft skills in order to enhance work relationships.

We all have the power to improve workplace harmony as we are all part of the team. This is the only way to create an environment where employees understand and support one another and feel that amazing sense of belonging.

Ritienne Xerri, Director Misco