Author: SME Chamber

The European Commission is inviting contributions to an open consultation on an Action Plan for better management of nutrients for a sustainable approach.

This Action Plan’s suggested extra EU-level action is required to enhance food security, safeguard public health, and maintain the ecosystem.

The Action Plan, announced in the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Farm to Fork Strategy, will help achieve the European Green Deal‘s 2030 target of reducing nutrient losses by 50%, while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility. The objective of the two Strategies is to reduce fertiliser use by at least 20%, while enhancing the resilience of the food systems.

The submission deadline is August 26, 2022. For more information on the consultation please refer to the Servizzi Ewropej F’Malta website. Alternatively, you can go directly to the Commission online consultation webpage.

As communicated through a Notice published on 28 January 2022 – Act LX of 2021  introduces the requirement for companies to indicate their electronic mail address in the memorandum, in terms of article 69(1)(d) of the Companies Act.

The scope behind this amendment is two-fold. Firstly, electronic communication serves to increase efficiency through timely communication by reducing the reliance on paper format communication to a company’s registered office. Certain correspondence may well be served to a company electronically and is many times more effective in reaching the concerned company officers.

Secondly, the Malta Business Registry continuously strives as a central national registry and supervisory authority, toward implementing sustainable governance measures that correspond to corporate sustainability goals reflecting national and European Union initiatives in the sector. Limiting the amount of physical paper-format correspondence and shifting the emphasis to electronic means, will undoubtedly serve to reduce the use of paper and associated materials. Such measure is only one of those which will be undertaken as part of the responsibility in implementing measures synced with the European Green Deal.

Companies are hereby being notified that an adequate electronic mail address that is accessible to all the company officers, is to be provided to the Malta Business Registry by 30 September 2022.

It is advisable that this is done by filing an updated memorandum and articles of association. In instances whereby this is not possible, one may address a formal letter to the Registrar, sent to the attention of Ms Stefania Baldacchino.

Following the announcement of new EU grants for businesses as part of the EU Recovery and Resilience Funds, the SME Chamber organised a webinar for its members with the participation of Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Dr Chris Bonett.

The webinar focused on the 2 latest funding opportunities digitalisation and energy efficient schemes. A total of €35 million of these funds will be used for digitalisation-related projects; with €5 million for SMEs and €10 million for projects tied to the tourism and cultural sectors. Whilst €20 million will be used for schemes promoting more energy efficiency in buildings.

Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Chris Bonett, accompanied by the Director General at the Measures and Support Division Mr Claude Sammut and Mr Chris Magri, explained the schemes to almost 200 participants while they also replied to various questions made by members.

The webinar recording is available upon request for all paid-up members.

Should you need any further information kindly email Mr Fabian Demicoli on

On the 13th of July, President Mr.Paul Abela, Deputy President Mr.Philip Fenech, and Council Member Mr.Beppe Muscat met a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It achieves this through backing economic policies that encourage monetary cooperation and financial stability, both of which are necessary to boost economic growth, job creation, and productivity. 

While on a formal visit to Malta as part of routine talks with member nations, the IMF officials met with the Malta Chamber of SMEs.

The Chamber of SMEs examined the present state of the economy, the primary difficulties facing SMEs today, and ultimately the best course of action for resolving these issues.

Celebrating the UN’s World Day dedicated to MSMEs

The 27^th of June has been dedicated by the United Nations as a day for the world to celebrate micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This year marks the 5^th anniversary since the start of this commemorative occasion.

Malta stands at par with the EU with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) amounting to 99.8% of total enterprises. MSMEs in Malta however account for 78% of total jobs in the private sector in Malta, surpasses the EU average by 10%. Malta also surpasses the EU average when it comes to the value-added generated by these same MSMEs by a staggering 25% with a total of 82% of all value added generated, compared to the EU average of 57%.

The level of significance that micro, small and medium enterprises have in Malta is higher than anywhere else. Our smallest in terms of size also are the biggest contributors in terms economic and social value. This is something we should be proud of.

The Chamber of SMEs has always valued the work of entrepreneurs and appreciated the dedication and personal risk this involves. Running a business is never easy, nothing comes guaranteed. Businesses work very hard to ensure they give a service to be able to retain and attract more clients and also earn a living for themselves, their employees and their families, for whom they feel responsible.

The unprecedented challenges Maltese MSMEs are experiencing at the moment make it even harder to stay in business. This year the UN has chosen to celebrate MSMEs under the theme of ‘Resilience and recovery in view of the triple threat of Covid, conflict and climate’, a theme that perfectly reflects the circumstances of Malta’s MSMEs.

Malta’s MSMEs are on a rollercoaster of events: preparing for the digital and green transition and being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Covid delt a disproportionate impact. Even though several support measures were created many businesses took on debt financing to keep their companies afloat. Following this, during a time crucial for recovery, a devastating war started at Europe’s doorstep, creating further challenges and disruptions. MSMEs are also suffering from persistent disruptions in supply chains, intense labour shortages, excessive bureaucracy and compliance requirements, which negatively impact their ability to function, take on work and carry out investments.

Notwithstanding all these difficulties, local MSMEs continue being resilient and step by step walk steadily towards recovery. MSMEs turn our economy into the miracle that it is. The road ahead however offers many challenges, and we call on our policy makers to be aware that the manifold challenges can be overwhelming.

Before approving a new legislative or policy proposal, decision-makers should think about whether they – in the shoes of the entrepreneur – would feel supported by the policy initiative to make their business recover or would they be able to comply with the proposed rules and the burdens involved. Our policymakers should “think small first” and act accordingly.

As part of our efforts to promote business matchmaking for Israeli companies, The Federation of the Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) announced several business offers from companies and its members.

All companies within the list of business offers are looking for new business partners, distributors, representation, or suppliers.

Companies interested to get more information related to these business offers and a full list of business offers, please contact Jamie Tanti by email at

Click here for the full list of business offers.

Companies who find these offers relevant to them may contact FICC directly and approach Ms. Yonat Keren: