Author: SME Chamber

The critical situation Europe is experiencing has placed economic growth at the forefront. Consumer's confidence, industrial production, manufacturing and trade sale are topics on everybody's lips. But what exactly are consumers' expectations? Is it possible to make sustainable consumption a mass-reality in times of crisis? These and other questions were thronged and tackled at the 2012 European Consumer Day, held today in Copenhagen and organised by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Danish Consumer Council.

Marking the 2012 European Consumer Day, the conference "Sustainable consumption^[1] in a time of crisis" brought together European and Danish representatives to analyse present and future strategies to promote sustainable consumption and production alternatives.

"I am convinced that the difficult times we are facing are an opportunity to promote sustainable consumption. Fundamentally transforming the foundations of our economy is the greatest contribution we can make towards building a sustainable future, where consumers are expected to play an active role. Let us give them tools to make smart, well-reasoned choices and to be better informed! Let us make sustainable products a real choice for consumers!" stated EESC President Staffan Nilsson, at the opening session of the conference.

"The current economic crisis has given us a opportunity to think about our economic patterns. We should empower consumers to make a green choice and thus contribute to a economy where we address resource efficiency in our daily lives as consumers", added Ole Sohn, Danish Minister for Business and Growth.

The future is at stake

The current European system of production and consumption is seen as environmentally unsustainable, especially in its dependence on energy, materials, land and water, and its impacts on the global climate and biodiversity. If everyone in the world lived a European lifestyle, we would need over 2.5 planets. That's why a dialogue is needed; involving EU institutions, national and local governments, and all the social partners. This dialogue must also be connected to action.

In Europe, consumption growth outweighs gains from improved technologies, and the largest environmental pressures from consumption are related to the life-cycle of food, housing and mobility. "Today it is often much more expensive or not even an option if consumers want sustainable products and services. That needs to change. Sustainable consumption ought to be the easiest choice for consumers", insisted Rasmus Kjeldahl, Executive Director of The Danish Consumer Council.

Sustainable consumption must be seen as an opportunity to boost new economic models while preserving the environment and our resources. The EU is already experiencing some tendencies that lead to a shift towards sustainability. "Recent policy initiatives and forthcoming legislative reforms will help consumers become prominent participants in a sustainable European economy. In particular, we should ensure the implementation of proper information standards that can guide consumer choices", concluded Malcolm Harbour, President of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee at the European Parliament.

For further information please contact:

Alejandro Izquierdo Lopez |+32 25469406 or

 

MEUSAC will be organising an information session on its recent proposal on a Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences (COM (2011) 241). Tuesday 27, March 2012 | Time: 10.00 – 12.00 | Venue: MEUSAC, 280, Republic Street, Valletta

The Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences is an international trade tool through which the European Union (EU) has been granting tariff preferences to developing countries since 1971. The aim of this tool is to assist developing countries in generating or boosting their export revenue by providing them preferential access to the EU market through reduced or zero tariffs. The proposal suggests the removal from the general arrangement of all eligible developing countries which have been classified by the World Bank as high-income or upper-middle income during three consecutive years. This measure, together with the exclusion of those countries which negotiated a preferential market access arrangement with the EU and the deduction of 33 overseas countries/territories, could lead to a reduction of the existing list of beneficiary countries from 176 to 87.

The session will be conducted in Maltese.

Should you be interested in attending kindly contact .

On the occasion of the Consumer Day, which in Europe this year is dedicated to "sustainable consumption in a time of crises", in Malta the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) prefers to steer away from sustainability and insists on its never ending patronisation of consumer affairs.

In a day long conference marking European Consumer Day as a Europe-wide event in Copenhagen nowhere during the excellent speeches of Commissioners, European Consumer Representatives and other distinguished guests was any reference made to the stagnant and ancient practices we see in Malta. In Malta our authorities still speak in terms of price fixing, watchdog on retailers and consumer affairs patronisation. The conference emphasised on moving the focus away from pricing to quality, flexibility, innovation, and sustainability. It focused on moving away from the perception of consumers as passive buyers and empower them to act as confident and assertive market players.

Government is in itself a major player as the largest service provider and is therefore subject to a lot of reactions from consumers. Government institutions should however be of a regulatory nature. It is most unfair that Government gives the impression that consumer affairs issues are all related to private business matters and indeed increasingly takes an anti-business approach, as is clearly the attitude of MCCAA on most issues.

MCCAA is acting with a strong bias against retailers and business in general and hardly ever does it offer services or support to retailers as it perceives itself as a consumer affairs institution. Now MCCAA is going even further by publishing a Consumer Affairs magazine, a role which squarely belongs to private independent consumer associations who have freedom to analyse all consumer affairs issues.

GRTU believes that the competitive structure of the Maltese market still suffers from a number of uncompetitive restrictive practices that negatively effect small enterprises. It would make more sense for MCCAA to hold more consultations and take an active role as a Competition Authority. Being a Competition Authority MCCAA should study and act on the identification and eradication of the bottlenecks that keep excessively high costs in practice in various stages of the supply chain and that eventually end as higher prices to consumers. The reality is that MCCAA functions for consumers while where retailing is concerned it leaves much to be desired.

"Most of these bottlenecks and excessive costs are imposed by state owned authorities that operate on cost-plus system of pricing, irrespective of the damage they inflict on Malta's competitive supply structure. Yet MCCAA continues to act regardless of what the real needs are, does not consult or rarely does, the private sector not even on issues under discussion at EU level and continues to dedicate most of its actions and resources in populist rather than constructive actions in support of a really competitive restructuring of the local market as a functional part of the European single internal market". stated Vincent Farrugia GRTU Director General and member of European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Single Market Production and Consumption Section (INT) bureau as well as the Internal Market and Consumer Affairs Committee of EuroCommerce, representing retail, wholesale and international trade sectors in Europe.

GRTU's Director General Vincent Farrugia as EESC member participated in the conference in Copenhagen as the official event marking this year's European Consumer Day. The European Consumer Day celebrated Sustainable consumption in a time of crises, a theme that in Malta has not been followed.

South America is, indeed, an important market where Europe can export its goods and services and the EU is still the main investor. With a combined population of more than 700 million people, high combined GDP and bi-regional trade close to €100 billion annually, closer trade relations with the EU would generate reciprocal advantages and positive spill-over at global level. Maltese Enterprises can also benefit from the strong growth in the region.

Countries visited will be: Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.

Key industrial sectors to target during these visits should be:

• Green economy
• Biotechnology
• key enabling technologies
• mining
• construction
• shipbuilding
• tourism

 

 

 

 

Any sectors are however welcome. Contact Abigail at GRTU to acquire further details.

Il-Malta-EU Steering & Action Committee (MEUSAC) flimkien mal-Ministeru għat-Turiżmu, il-Kultura, u l-Ambjent se jorganizza laqgħa ta' konsultazzjoni dwar il-White Paper għall-prevenzjoni, it-tnaqqis u l-kontroll tal-ħsejjes. Din il-White Paper tevalwa kull xorta ta' ħsejjes li bħalissa huma regolati permezz ta' liġijiet differenti. Dan jinkludi, fost l-oħrajn, ħsejjes minn trasport bl-art, bil-baħar u bl-ajru, ħsejjes mill-kostruzzjoni u attivitajiet industrijali, storbju fuq il-post tax-xogħol, minn postijiet ta' divertiment u minn avvenimenti ta' darba bħalma huma kunċerti.

Il-hsejjes, meta huma qawwijin jsiru storbju u dawn jistghu jkunu ta` periklu ghas sahha, kwistjoni ta sigurta' fuq il-post tax-xoghol u inkonvenjent. Barra minn hekk jista` jkollhom effett negattiv fuq l-ambjent. Madwar terz tas-sottomissjonijiet li saru fil-process ta konsultazzjoni ghat-tfassil tal-Politika Nazzjonali tal-Ambjent semmew l-istorbju bhala fattur ambjentali importanti. L-istorbju huwa kkawzat minn diversi fatturi fosthom it-traffiku, l-attivita industrijali, l-attivita ta kostruzzjoni, il-postijiet ta divertiment, l-ajruplani, l-apparat domestiku u kummercjali u l-attivita minn festi u attivitajiet tradizzjonali kif ukoll minn nhar pirotekniku (fireworks).

L-istorbju eccessiv ghandu effett ukoll fuq is-sahha tal-bniedem u allura fuq il-kwalita tal-hajja taghna, jista jinterferrixxi b'rabta ma mizuri ta sahha u sigurta fuq il-post tax-xoghol u johloq inkonvenjent. Jaffetwa wkoll l-istat ta l-ambjent taghna, partikolarment is-sahha tal-bijodiversita u eko sistemi. Tabilhaqq storbju eccessiv huwa forma ta 'tniggis ambjentali, u ghandha tkun trattata bhala tali. Dan huwa ghalhekk sinjal li dan il-fatt jehtieg li jigi indirizzat permezz ta tfassil ta policies, ligijiet, infruzar u aktar edukazzjoni.

L-għan ta' din il-‘White Paper' huwa li tippreżenta r-riżultati mill-valutazzjoni li sar f'isem il-Ministeru għat-Turizmu, Kultura u l-Ambjent bil-għan li ssir analiżi talaspetti istituzzjonali, regolatorji u legali marbuta mal-kontroll ta forom varji ta' ħoss. L-għan ta' din l-White Paper huwa li tistimola dibattitu pubbliku u li jiġu esplorati firxa ta' għażliet strateġiċi biex b'hekk jittejjeb il-qafas istituzzjonali u legali ta' pajjiżna.

Il-laqgħa ser issir bil-Malti nhar l-Erbgħa, 28 ta' Marzu 2012, fit-3.00 p.m., f'Dar il-Mediterran għall-Konferenzi, il-Belt Valletta. 

Biex tirreġistra ikteb lil .

Why did you become an entrepreneur? I used to be employed, I took quite a bit of time to start my own business. I started from nothing and many people discouraged me but I proved successful.

How have you come to chose your line of business?

My line of business has in reality always been my hobby since I was a nine year old boy. It is something I think I know how to do and best of all enjoy doing.

Where did you go on your last holiday?

Paris. The thing that impressed me most having a direct interest in art was Les Invalid, Napoleon's tomb and museum. I was also impressed by the beauty of the city.

What is your earliest memory?

My father was carrying me on his shoulders, I was 3 years old, when my younger sister was born. We were in front of the entrance to the hospital and I remember him telling me "look there's your mother with the baby girt, wave at her"

If you could chose to be someone famous who would you be?

Julius Ceaser as whatever he put in mind to do, no matter the immense odds he faced, he managed to do. He is a person I admire and I wish I had more of his trait.

 

The topic will be the Executive Training Programme and EU Gateway Programme designed to assist companies who wish to do business with the Japanese and South Korean markets.  These are markets which have great potential but are somewhat difficult to access due to logistics and cultural differences.

The Executive Training Programme provides up to 45-week training course in Japan or Korea, including an internship in a local company that will enhance your business prospects in these countries.

The EU Gateway Programme organises and funds Business Missions in high technology and design sectors for European companies to develop their business in Japan and Korea by offering financial and logistical support, strategic preparation and a tailored search for business contacts.

Date:               11^th April 2012 at 0830hrs

Venue:            Le Meridien Hotel, St. Julians

The Info session shall be delivered by Mr. Alvaro Biel Turon of the Madrid Office in charge of said programmes.

Further information about the programmes may be accessed here:

http://www.eu-gateway.eu/go.php?nID=22&page=Home

http://www.euetp.eu/

Interested parties are to contact the Enterprise Europe Network Unit on or tel: 25423418

 

 

Malta Enterprise is inviting businesses wishing to explore business opportunities in Italy to participate in an Investment and Trade Promotion delegation to Milan, between the 21^st and 24^th of May, 2012.

Companies from the following sectors are encouraged to apply: mechanical and precision engineering, ICT and electronics, alternative energy, financial and professional services, education and training, and MICE.

Eligible enterprises include:

1. Manufacturers
2. Service providers
3. Licensing and Franchising
4. Companies seeking joint ventures and strategic alliances
5. Technology Transfer
6. Companies seeking R&D opportunities

 

 

 

Companies seeking to import finished products are NOT eligible.

As part of its assistance Malta Enterprise will endeavour to set-up one-to-one meetings for participants through its institutional networks. Malta Enterprise will also refund eligible participants up to 60% of flight costs and a per diem allowance. Refund is for one representative per participating company

Application forms together with a €250 deposit should be sent to us by not later than Wednesday  28^th March, 2012. This deposit will be fully refunded together with the financial assistance referred to above after the event. In cases where a company cancels its participation, any cancellation costs incurred by Malta Enterprise on behalf of the company will be deducted from this deposit.

 

Should you require further details contact Abigail @ GRTU.

Green MT has applied for a permit to operate a Batteries and Accumulators Compliance Scheme. Importers (Producers) are invited to attend this important meeting.

A meeting is being organized on:

 Date: Thursday, 22nd March 2012

Time: 3.00pm

Place: GRTU Offices,

Exchange Building, Republic Str.,

Valletta

Subject  Batteries and Accumulators Scheme