Author: SME Chamber

The excellent relations between Malta and Libya were further cemented last week when GRTU signed a Bilateral Agreement with the Misurata Chamber of Commerce in Misurata. This agreement makes reference to the sustained aid effort that was made during the Libyan Revolution, where GRTU was the first organisation to call for aid for Libya and was always at the forefront in lobbying organisations and the Government to help Libya in various ways.

Indeed, this resulted in a wholehearted participation of GRTU in the I-GoAid Foundation, giving material and logistical support to the aid programme by means of its many members.

The agreement makes it possible for members of both the Misurata and the Maltese businesses members of GRTU to "feel at home" when visiting Libya and Malta. As such, a Misurata Chamber member will be entitled to all the benefits that a GRTU member has in Malta and Vice Versa.

This will mean that companies wishing to invest in both Malta and Libya will have their processes facilitated by both organisations. A programme of cultural and trade visits is also being organised.

The GRTU Delegation was given the full treatment in Misurata. Amongst others, they visited the Misurata War Museum and saw at first hand a record of the bravery of the Misuratans in fighting Kaddafi. The destruction left behind is already being repaired, but the suffering this city went through was still very evident.

During the visit, it was evident that Libya's businessmen are now looking outwards, towards the EU. They specifically asked for GRTU's help in getting their products certified for the EU's markets. In fact, we were surprised to see how well advanced Misurata's manufactured products are, especially the steel and diary sectors.

Misurata's mindset is very much like Malta's. Misurata's people are very business oriented, with a can-do attitude that is very heartening to see. This means that Malta's businessmen will feel very much at home in this environment and will be sure to find new partners for their businesses in Libya.

The delegation also met the whole of the new Misurata Local Council and were hosted to lunch by the new mayor, Yusuf Ben Yusuf.

With a specific focus on ports and maritime services, manufacturing, food industry and Construction, GRTU will help companies in these fields explore business and investment opportunities in post-war Libya. As such, any companies interested in this can attend an informal seminar at the GRTU offices in order to set up a GRTU Libya committee to start organising the first GRTU visit and one-to-one meetings with Libyan companies. This seminar will be held on Tuesday 19^th April at 14.00hrs.

Commission wants to cut red tape for motorists, but concerns about the risk of fraud remain. – The European Commission wants to make it easier to transfer vehicle registration from one member state to another, to overcome one of the most frequent complaints of citizens who move to another EU country.

Long waiting times, double payment of registration tax, and multiple road-worthiness tests and technical checks were among the problems identified in a 2010 survey of citizens' experiences. Car rental companies have also faced difficulties moving vehicles from one country to another.

Under the proposal, to be put forward by the Commission on Wednesday (4 April), member states would be able to use a simpler procedure to obtain authorisation for searching the registration information of other member states. Member states would also be obliged to give automatic recognition to a registration made by an employer on behalf of an employee. This is designed to benefit people who live in one member state but work in another. A special registration will be introduced for people who spend part of the year in another EU country.

The proposal falls short of a pan-EU registration certificate, which a majority of citizens identified as their preferred solution. Most businesses respondents, however, favoured only improved communication between national authorities.

Crime concerns

Some concerns have been expressed about threats to safety or risks of fraud if member states are obliged to recognise foreign registrations.

"Many vehicles are currently taken into different member states in order to facilitate crimes," the Association of British Insurers wrote in its contribution to a recent consultation. The association suggests that many people currently avoid re-registering their vehicles because of the cumbersome process involved, and argues that higher rates of re-registration would help insurers to know which vehicles are on the road and where.

Vehicle ownership

This is the second recent initiative to share knowledge of vehicle ownership across borders. In November, member states agreed to set up an electronic data-exchange network that aims to fine drivers who commit traffic violations in another country. Foreign drivers make up 5% of traffic in member states but account for 15% of traffic offences.

Member states could already fine foreign drivers who committed offences, but they have often chosen not to, because of the difficulty in identifying the owner of a foreign vehicle. The database is due to be set up by November 2013.

According to the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets" published today, 37% of EU SMEs have at least one full or part-time green employee. Green jobs are largely created in SMEs as opposed to large firms: In 2012, 1 in 8 employees of small and medium-sized firms had a green job or almost 13% of all SME jobs (in large firms it was only 1 in 33 equivalent to 3% of all large company jobs). Green jobs in SMEs are also estimated to expand dynamically with a rate of 35% in the next 2 years.

 

The Eurobarometer survey also reveals other sources of untapped potential which could be used by SMEs. For example, less than a quarter of SMEs take advantage of the single market for green products or services. Bureaucracy is considered as one of the obstacles: 20% of SMEs says that it would be easier to do green investments if cross-border administrative and legal procedures were not so complex.

SMEs in green industries are also maturing. Three in five (61%) SMEs selling green products or services have been active in green markets for more than three years compared to 52% in the US. Food and beverages (25%) and electronic and mechanical machinery and equipment (23%) are the most commonly sold green products and services by SMEs in the EU.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship unveiling today the Eurobarometer results said: "I am happy to see that SMEs are taking on this huge untapped potential which will pay off with more innovation, more competitive SMEs and more jobs. However, there is still a lot of work to do. Only very few European SMEs extend their green business to foreign markets. Knowing that the EU makes up roughly one third of the world market for environmental industries this reveals a huge potential for SMEs to grow."

For more information please see MEMO/12/218

The full report on the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets"

Green SMEs: Strong at home, but weak abroad

Green markets  for SMEs in the EU remain mainly domestic. 87% of SMEs involved in green business (or the green economy) operate in their national markets. Just below a quarter of SMEs report that they exploit the opportunities of the Single Market. With BRIC countries estimated to account for about 60% of world GDP by 2030, only 3% of SMEs in the EU adventure themselves to sell their green products or services in Asia and the South Pacific and a mere 2% in Latin America.

Customer demand plays a major role

According to the Eurobarometer survey, the main reason for SMEs in the EU to sell green products or services is demand from customers (48%). Companies' core values (32%) and image (30%) also play a role in this respect.

SMEs reduce energy and resources consumption

93% of EU SMEs take actions to be more resource efficient. 64% of SMEs save energy, 61% recycle and 62% minimise their waste. 33% of SMEs improve resource efficiency as a top priority.

Policy measures can help unleash the 'green growth engine'

Financial incentives are considered by SMEs as the best means to help them become greener in the way they operate and the products and services they offer.

Approximately half (51%) of SMEs consider tax rebates, grants and loans as the best policy measures to support energy efficiency investments.

Approximately half (49%) of the SMEs that are already offering green products indicate that financial incentives for developing products would be the best way to help the expansion of their range of green products or services.

31% of the SMEs that are currently not offering green products and services believe that financial incentives would be the best way to help them launch a range of green products or services.

Administrative simplification would boost green products

Technical advice and administrative simplification are also considered to be very effective in helping SMEs to be greener. In the next two years, four SMEs in five (80%) plan to implement resource efficiency actions but one in five SMEs says that it would be easier if administrative and legal procedures were not so complex or the costs of taking actions would be lower.

One in four (25%) SMEs say that simplifying administrative procedures for constructing cogeneration capacity such as installing solar panels would be particularly effective to boost energy efficiency.

More information on energy service contracts and options to save energy would also help one in four (24%) SMEs to reduce their energy bill.

Around one in five SMEs currently who do not offer green products and services say some assistance in identifying potential markets or customers for green products or services could make consider entering green markets.

Green public procurement still a challenge

Green public procurement as a driver for a more sustainable economy is still a challenge for SMEs. According to available data, only 11% of SMEs in the EU have bid for a public procurement tender that included environmental requirements compared with 16% of large companies.

Background

The Flash Eurobarometer 342 survey "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets" was carried out between the 24th of January and the 10th of February 2012 by TNS Political & Social. It was conducted in the 27 EU Member States and in Albania, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, the Republic of Serbia, Turkey, Israel and the United States. It is a survey that covers businesses employing 1 or more persons in the Manufacturing (Nace category C), Retail (Nace category G), Services (Nace categories I/J/K/H/L/M/) and Industry (Nace categories B/D/E/F) sectors within the European Union. It does not cover sole traders.

An information session on the Youth in Action Programme is being organised by the European Union Programme's Agency (EUPA), MEUSAC and Agenzija Zghazagh 

The Youth in Action Programme is an EU funded programme whereby youths and youth organizations can obtain funds for exchanges, initiatives, volunteering, training and networking activities within the EU Member States and beyond. Representatives from EUPA, MEUSAC and Acenzija Zghazagh. Will provide information on each strand under the Programme and will also seek to assist organizations develop their ideas in order to formulate projects. The session will be held on April 3, from 18:00 to 20:00hrs. The venue will be announced later. Youths and youth organisations are invited to learn about the many opportunities from which they may benefit and the .1 million in EU funds that can be made use of in 2012. Those interested in attending are to register by sending an email with their contact details to Karl Engerer at EUPA on

World Class Manufacturing is a scheme financed by the European Commission. Training dates in Japan: from 15 – 19 October 2012 – Application deadline: Thursday, 7 June 2012. WCM is an intensive 5-day training mission in Japan about improvement of productivity, assisting executives from EU manufacturing companies to acquire a better understanding of how Japanese companies continually eliminate costs from their manufacturing.

 

This mission will provide participants with an ideal opportunity to visit some of the world's most advanced Japanese plants to understand the real "Gemba", (i.e. the production site), to talk directly with their production managers, and to observe how manufacturing methods are implemented effectively.

For SMEs, no tuition fee and to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participation in the course, participants from SMEs can apply for a scholarship to get EUR 600 towards their living expenses.

More information and application form:

http://snm80.com/pkubueiu1iat4nzowg/index3.html

 

 

GRTU President Paul Abela participated in the Business Delegation organised by Malta Enterprise to Israel. Mr Abela reported that the interest was strong also from the side of the Israeli companies. Participating in the delegation was also Hon Jason Azzopardi who through his speeches and interventions also contributed to the delegation's success. Next week more details will be published on the contacts made.

 

During the visit, Malta Enterprise signed three memoranda of understanding with business organisations in Israel to improve commercial ties between the two countries. The Agreements were signed with the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association of Israel and the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute.

The business delegation comprised 21 Maltese companies operating in various areas such as financial services, renewable energy, ICT, manufacturing, education, travel and tourism, shipping and logistics.

Business Opportunity: Cleaning products, toiletries & More

The largest distributing company and manufacturer of chemicals, minerals and refinery in Israel. Very interested in doing business with Maltese companies.

Offers over 600 products:

– Cleaning materials

– Window cleaning

– Bathroom cleaners

– Floor cleaners

– Over cleaners

– Dishwashing liquids

– Laundry powders, gels and softeners

– Stain removers and accessories

– Carpet and fabric cleaners

– Ironic accessories

– Diapers

– Kitchen towels

– Toilet paper

– Plastic bags

– Tin foil

– Air fresheners

– Polishes

– Anti-Scale chemicals

– Insecticides

– Repellents for crawling and flying pests

– 2 in 1 floor cleaners

– Hair shampoos and conditioners

– Body lotions & creams

– Baby soaps

– Floor cleaners for hard-wood floors and parquet

Members who are interested with further details can contact Abigail at GRTU.

 

Il-GRTU Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, tixtieq tinfurmak li l-Awtorita` Maltija tal-Ippjanar u l-Ambjent (MEPA) harget dokument ghall-konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar permessi ambjentali li l-operat tieghek ser ikollu bzonn la darba dawn ir-regolamenti jidhlu fis-sehh.

Data: Il-Erbgha 16 ta` Mejju Hin: 14.00hrs Post: GRTU

 Ser ikun hawn ufficjali tal-MEPA li ser jispjegaw fid-dettal kif dawn il-permessi ambjentali jistghu jolqtu n-negozju tieghek. Importanti hafna li tattendi.

 

Min ghandu jattendi:

Sprayers	Xoghol fl-Aluminium u Hadid	Xoghol u Spray ta` FibreGlass
Tiswijjiet ta` Radiators u Silencers	Panel Beaters	Electricians, sprayers u mechanics ta` karozzi
Vulcanisers	VRT Station	Enginerija tal-bahar
Tiswijiet ta` Dghajjes	Manifattura, warehousing u storage ta` Kimika u Zebgha	Operaturi f'Ta` Qali Crafts Village

Following the launch of the 2012 LIFE+ Call for Proposals on the 13^th March, the National Contact Point for the LIFE+ Programme within the Ministry for Tourism, Culture and the Environment, in collaboration with MEUSAC, would like to invite you to participate in a LIFE+ Information Session. During this information session, you can get to know more about LIFE+, the 2012 call for proposal and ongoing projects in Malta.

Date: Friday, April 20, 2012  |  Time: 09.00 – 15.00 Venue: Europe House, 254 St Paul's Street, Valletta

This information event will be held at Europe House, 254, St Paul's Street, Valletta on April 20, 2012, from 9am till 3pm.

To register for this LIFE+ Information Session, kindly send your interest to . Registration for this Session is open until Friday 13^th April 2012 and, due to seating restrictions, will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

For further details on the LIFE+ Programme, kindly contact the National Contact Point on .

LIFE+ is the European Union's direct funding programme for the Environment providing funding opportunities for the conservation of protected habitats and species, the halt of loss in biodiversity and the implementation of environmental policy through demonstrative, innovative and information projects. Environment protection is of crucial importance to the European Union and LIFE+ is there to provide complementary support to other funding instruments aimed at protecting our environment.

 

LIFE+ is subdivided into three distinct strands, thus a vast array of projects can be implemented. These strands are:

 LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity, co-finances best practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. In addition it  also co-finance innovative or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the objectives of Commission Communication (COM (2011) 244 final) "Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020";

 LIFE+ Environmental Policy & Governance specifically aims at contributing to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation, the development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments, the knowledge base as regards environment policy and legislation, and the monitoring of environmental pressures. This strand covers such projects in the remit of nature and biodiversity, climate change, water, air, soil, urban environment, noise, chemicals, environment and health, waste and natural resources, forests, innovation and strategic approaches as well as the integration of environment into other policies, thereby contributing to sustainable development; and

 LIFE+ Information & Communication co-finances information campaigns related to all the environmental aspects mentioned above. Such proposed projects must seek to raise awareness on environmental issues so as to achieve a positive change in people's attitude towards the environment.

This fund has a total budget of around €2.143 billion for the period 2007-2013, with over €276 million allocated for 2012, with more than €2.6 million as Malta's indicative national allocation. LIFE+ is open to all bodies that are registered in the EU; therefore applications could be submitted from the public as well as the private sector as well as universities, research institutes and environmental NGOs within the 27 EU Member States. Applications can be submitted by a single beneficiary or a partnership including a coordinating beneficiary and one/several associated beneficiaries.

The new application package including applications and all the related documentation and guidelines, can be found online on the official website being http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus2012/call/index.htm  In the meantime, attached you may find a list of key changes within this application package. Furthermore, one can also find a database listing all the projects that have been funded under LIFE/LIFE+ together with a brief description of the projects as well as links to their websites on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm

It is important to note that as from this year, the application format is completely electronic, thus one should access the e-proposal following this link. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eproposalWeb/ .It is important to note that the call for proposals shall close on the 26^th September 2012 after which date the applicant can no longer access the proposal on the web portal.

You may wish to note that an information session shall be organised on the 20^th April 2012, about which further information shall be on http://www.lifeplus.gov.mt/ in the coming days. For further information you may wish to set an appointment with the undersigned where we can discuss project ideas and this funding instrument in more detail.