Author: SME Chamber

GRTU has this week written to Hon Tonio Fenech with reference to the decision made to move ARMS Ltd to Gattard House. The informed Hon Fenech that the GRTU is of the opinion that it is a bad and insensitive decision both for customers and business.

 

 

 

 

GRTU had put forward its recommendations that it was best for customers and for business in Valletta if ARMS moved to the empty space now available in Ixtri Malti, the complex in Merchants Street Valletta. GRTU complained that it failed to understand why was our recommendation disregarded without even a discussion when Ixtri Malti is the direct responsibility of the Ministry of Finance, definitely less expensive and more convenient for all.

We urged Hon Fenech to take into consideration our recommendation which, in our opinion, will be ideal for all.

Green MT, the National Authorised Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme continues to contribute towards the cleanliness of our localities in Malta and Gozo. Green MT is responsible for the upkeep of bring in Sites in 30 Local Councils in Malta and 11 Local Councils in Gozo.

 

This service is outfarmed to service providers, mainly waste carriers who have a responsibility to clean an area of three metres around the individual Bring In Sites. There are contractors who have a responsability for a specific Local Council and then we have other cleaning contractors who service a number of Local Councils.

In Malta, we still have the inert mentality that we can throw waste next to the Bring In Site at any hour of the day, which of course is not the case. This situation creates mountains of mixed waste which are recovered by the Scheme daily. It is enough to state that on a six day week we normally take to the landfill over 8 tons of mixed waste from these Bring In Sites and even so we are continuously chased by Local Councils that we are still not doing enough. Of course we are far from perfect, but we can outrightly state that we do our best. There are of course shortcomings which will be addressed, and this is not about placing more CCTVs or having more green wardens, we want more people to realise that our island is our home and that we should also cooperate to make sure we do not continue to dump next to Bring In Sites.

In Gozo, we manage 18 Bring In Sites and in the month of August the situation has been one which we have as yet not witnessed. It is here that Green MT was let down heavily by one of our contractors and on realising this, we took immediate steps to make sure that remedial action was taken. There is much more to do in Gozo. The concept of Eco Gozo instills in us all the responsibility of giving more towards this concept. Green MT will continue to upkeep these Bring In Sites and monitor much closer the emptying of the said bins. Of course there is more to do from a holistic approach but let s first make sure we have the basics working well and then take on other initiatives.

Green MT today recovers an average of 4 tons of packaging waste from Bring in Sites in Gozo and an addittional 10 tons weekly from the recovery of the Grey bag, thus a total of 14 tons weekly. Our target for the Local Councils where we operate, 11 in all, is 27 tons and we will continue to strive together with the individual Local Councils to reach this target.

Green MT will also continue to increase its service to the hospitality industry including bars and restuarants and hotels. We have provided a service in Xlendi which will be extended to Marsalforn, slowly but diligently. We look forward with optimism with the help of all stakeholders.

Cleanliness is our prerogative but we need everyone's support, from responsible residents, to responsible contractors and the rest of the chain. But what we are sure of, is that we are dedicated to this cause and we will get there!

GRTU has this week written to Hon Mario Demarco and Hon Jason Azzopardi re LN 228/2011. GRTU told the Hon Parliamentary Secretaries that recent developments have shown that what GRTU has been stating all along was right. The problem is misbehavior trends in youth and not alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is a symptom not a cause.

 

There is enough evidence from all centres throughout Europe. The remedy which GRTU supports is one of professional surveillance including use of technology. GRTU will do all that is possible to ensure that a professional approach is adopted.

GRTU reminded the Parliamentary Secretaries that it remains contrary to the provisions of LN228/2011. This is a most unjust imposition on all serious retailers throughout Malta, who never abused but serviced clients who expressed their consumer right to purchase alcohol and beverages at the time of their choice.

GRTU requested a meeting to agree on changes to the Legal Notice and remove the unfair punishment LN.228/2011 has imposed on professional retailers and honest consumers.

 

Not enough is being said on the reduction of parking, parking which already existed but is being removed to make way for huge side pavements. I fully understand that embellishment works must be carried out and are important and this is the way it should be but how can you go out with your family with your car when you will not find any parking.

For instance St Paul's Bay has been greatly improved but if its not practical why would I want to take my family there. This is the same problem at the Birgu front where the parking is also being removed. In Rabat above Saqqajja they have made improvements to the parking, which is much nicer but I would go as far as to say that before the embellishment it was better as it fitted double the amount of vehicles. Take Valletta, Valletta should be fully equipped with parking facilities, but they are not doing things right. Is it possible that who is managing the projects has NEVER been abroad as in many centres where I have been there are large car parks, which you could easily mistake for hotels.

The European Commission assisted by TRL, is holding a competition for students and technically-minded people to propose innovative ideas to reduce or prevent tampering of L-category vehicles. (These are mainly two, three or four wheeled vehicles ranging from powered cycles, mopeds and motorcycles, but also include tricycles, quads and mini-cars). Solutions which would prevent tampering on the engine, transmission or emissions of these vehicles.

The so called ‘harmless' modifications that have no adverse effects on safety or environment will not fall under the scope of possible anti-tampering measures. This will not fall under the scope of possible anti-tampering measures in future legislation. This will ensure that customizing L-category vehicles will also be possible and legal in the future. Only measures against ‘harmful tampering' will be taken on L-category vehicles- tampering which has detrimental effects on safety and/or the environment.

The Competition is open to members of the public, schools, riders associations, and anyone who is technically minded across Europe who could contribute to safer L category vehicles.

There is a €500 first prize, €300 second prize and €200 third prize.

The contact e-mail address for the competition is . Please note that deadline is 10 September 2011.

This Directive ensures that the EU market functions properly, whilst enabling manufacturers to benefit from the advantages of the internal market by means of the Community EC type approval.

The EC Small series type approval requirements are covered by Article 22 of the Framework Directive.

In order to prevent abuse, any simplified procedure for small series vehicles is restricted to cases of very limited production (see Annex XII; EC small series limits).

The current List of regulatory acts setting the requirements for the purpose of EC type approval pursuant to Article 22 can be found in Appendix of Annex IV. For ease of reference, please find the Link to Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/documents/directives/directive-2007-46-ec_en.htm

It is the Commission's intention to draft new a Regulation to define more precisely the technical and safety requirements applicable for EC small series type approval, thus avoid disputes between type approval authorities on interpretation of what are essential requirements.

Interested parties are encouraged to send their comments/suggestions by 13^th September 2011.

Should more information be required kindly contact the Technical Regulations Division, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority by e-mail: , or

Green MT, the National Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme, continues to excel in its operations across the Board. Despite continued efforts by those who should know better to tar our image, Green MT can today confirm that by end of June 2011, results show that its current members, 993 as at the end of June, will exceed 20,000 tons of packaging waste placed on the market for the whole calendar year of 2011. At the time of writing members have exceeded 1240, so this figure is also set to increase.

 

Green MT has in the first six months of 2011 recovered 6233 tons of recyclable fractions from Local Councils through the grey bag collection, Bring In Sites, Commercial Collections and other private enterprises. In Gozo alone we recovered 410 tons from 11 Local Councils alone. Since the start of operations in July 01, 2009 Green MT has recovered 23,723 tons of recyclable waste fractions.

Green MT continues to provide a service to Local Councils including recoveries from Bring In Sites and also cleaning of the same sites. Of course the summer months have brought with them increased problems next to these sites, mostly mixed waste and other waste streams being dumped there, together with bulky refuse. On instances a number of containers have been burned at a substantial cost to the Scheme. We shall however not be deterred by such actions by those who do not know better. We are here to stay.

Green MT will shortly start one to one discussions with Local Councils to renew agreements for the year 2012. We are committed to provide better services in our community and we will do so despite the obstacles that we find in trying to do so day in day out.

Green MT thanks all those Local Councils and their residents who have contributed so much towards recovering all this volume of recyclable material.

Commissioner Reding is striving hard to cause more women to be nominated on the Board of Directors of Companies. In Malta she has the full backing of Chris Said the OPM Parliamentary Secretary. Reding really threatens to impose a 40% women quota on Boards of listed companies. Business community representatives are dead against this. We at GRTU recognise that there is the need of more women but we would object most strongly to any imposition.

 

Board of Directors like senior management in enterprise are an important economic function and merit and not gender should be the main criteria. GRTU would also object to any selection criteria imposed on private businesses especially small owner managed and mainly family businesses. This not withstanding GRTU recommends, specialised funded schemes to train more people to be able to take Board Directorship and would support special support for women who wish to be trained for such important roles but GRTU would strongly object to the system that is now being adopted in the Public Sector where women are being appointed simply because they are woman and irrespective of whether they have the training and the abilities needed for the roles given. GRTU also objects when men are appointed irrespective of ability and training but based on other criteria.

There is so much that depends on the success of enterprise  – jobs, economic growth, general well-being and quality of life for all, men and women. Choice of leaders on type of genitals is ridiculous.

GRTU has written to importers of ceramic tiles from China because earlier this year an anti-dumping duty was introduced on ceramic tiles originating from China imported in the EU. This introduced a duty in some cases up till 73%.

 

We have reached a stage where the European Commission is proposing to make the provisional duties definite with some lower changes in the duty. GRTU explained to the importers that the duty is highest where the manufacturers would have not cooperated with the Commission in the anti-dumping investigation.

The GRTU therefore advised that if importers import products which fall under the highest % they should contact their supplier (manufacturer) who can get in touch with the Commission so that the anti-dumping investigation is carried out. If this is done the % will most probably be reduced.

If the difference between the provisional and the definitive duty is confirmed (soon) the difference between the (higher) provisional duty paid at time of importation and the (lower) definitive duty due will be refunded. Members are invited to contact GRTU for help with this procedure.