Author: SME Chamber

The European Parliament has published a study on "Consumer behaviour in a digital environment" commissioned from London School of Economics analysing consumer behaviour and the interaction between consumers and businesses in the digital environment.

The study was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and it involved a limited stakeholder consultation and also looked at existing literature and market developments. The study is part of an ongoing reflection in the EU institutions on how to better achieve an effective single market, particularly in the digital space. In addition, the study provides information about the extent of e-commerce in Europe and examines how sellers have adjusted their behaviour to the digital environment. The focus was on how consumers benefit from the digital environment and whether and how they change their purchasing behaviour.

• Council regulation imposing a definitive countervailing duty on imports of polyethylene terephthalate originating in India
• Council implementing Regulation imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of high tenacity yarn of polyesters originating in the People's Republic of China, and terminating the proceeding concerning imports of high tenacity yarn of polyesters originating in the Republic of Korea and Taiwan
• Notice of initiation of an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of chamois leather originating in the People's Republic of China

The European Commission has confirmed that the free trade agreement with India will not be implemented before spring 2013; (contrary to some newspaper articles) there will therefore not be any reduction in tariffs concerning textiles before that date. Even once the FTA enters into force it is very unlikely to have an immediate elimination of duties on textiles.

The Eurovignette directive will allow member states to impose new tolls on trucks to meet the costs of air pollution and noise. National governments may also design infrastructure charges which encourage carriers to choose alternative routes or discontinue driving during rush hours. Member states must transpose the directive within two years.

New anti-dumping questionnaires, to be used from this autumn, will considerably ease procedures for companies in trade defense proceedings. The result of continued dialogue with the European Commission's DG Trade, the revised questionnaires will deliver a number of major improvements such as the possibility to provide information in the form of samples.

Croatia's accession treaty is expected to be signed this December; it then has to be ratified by all 27 member states. Croatia's arrival as the 28th EU member state will expand the single market by 4.5 million consumers. Retailers and wholesalers should enjoy improved legal certainty and new business opportunities.

Oral arguments in the appeal MasterCard v Commission came before the European Court of Justice this July. At stake is the multilateral interchange fee (MIF), which costs European retailers an estimated €12 billion a year. MasterCard's main claim was that following its flotation on the stock market in 2006, it ceased to be ‘an association of undertakings' and so, its decision on MIF levels should not be subject to cartel law. EuroCommerce spoke in support of the European Commission, insisting on the huge and unjustified costs borne by merchants and their customers. A final decision is not expected before 2012.

As part of its Internationalisation Calendar for 2012, Malta Enterprise is inviting interested parties to register their interest to participate in the SIAL Food Fair 2012.

The Event

In SIAL 2010, around 140,000 professional visitors from the food industry visited the SIAL Food Fair to meet 5,838 French and international exhibitors. 

Exhibiting in SIAL 2012, will:

• STRENGTHEN and DEVELOP your image and brand awareness with an exceptional number of highly-qualified visitors
• RETAIN your existing clients and RECRUIT new ones
• DEVELOP your turnover
• BOOST your exports
• MEET potential business partners (distributors, agents)
• DISCOVER the trends in your sector
• BENEFIT from exceptional media coverage

Should you exhibit, your company may be eligible for financial support from Malta Enterprise (after the event) of the eligible costs incurred for:

• Rental of exhibition space / stand
• Stand construction services,
• Freight expenses incurred for shipping materials / exhibits required to setup and run the stand.
• Travel and a €147 daily for the number of days of the event for one representative per company

Should you wish to book individually please contact the organisers directly on .  Further details on space costs and the different product halls can be obtained from the fair's website www.sialparis.com.

If you wish to be located on the Malta Pavilion, kindly contact the Internationalisation Unit on Tel: 25423294 or by email : by not later than Friday 28^th October 2011.

Additional information can be obtained on Tel: 25423294 or by email:

A modular and comprehensive training programme on export management principles for the exporting industry.

For further information on this course please visit: http://www.maltaenterprise.com/capacity_building.aspx

Application form may be obtained by calling 25420000/25423430

or by email: