Malta Chamber of SMEs

Malta Chamber of SMEs council meets new Commissioner for Revenue

Posted on 11.03.202216.03.2022 by SME Chamber

The SME Chamber welcomed the opportunity to meet and said that an open system of dialogue is already a very good first step

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has welcomed the new Commissioner for Revenue Mr Joe Caruana and his team in an official meeting with our Council.

The Commissioner emphasized that he will lead the Department of a journey of transformation. The department will do its utmost to educate and the it will implement policies to help taxpayers in being compliant. It should however be understood that there must be reciprocal respect and that practices of tax avoidance and underhanded failures will no longer be tolerated.

The SME Chamber welcomed the opportunity to meet and said that an open system of dialogue is already a very good first step. The SME Chamber is in no way in favour of dishonorable behavior in tax compliance yet some flexibility and sensitivity to different circumstances is needed in order not to make the situation worse, but to get the business onboard again as fast as possible.

A number of circumstances where highlighted where the work of CFR should be prioritized and how a positive change could be achieved. The principle of fairness in the application of measures, and their implementation with all taxpayers accross the board is paramount.

Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes pledge to address compliance and banking bottlenecks for SMEs

Posted on 09.03.202209.03.2022 by SME Chamber

The Malta Chamber of SMEs believes that the implementation phase of these proposals is key in order to achieve the desired results

The immense bureaucratic burden and impossible situations businesses have been facing in relation to access to banking services and compliance have only become more serious and counterproductive over the last years.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has been highlighting its concern on the situation and how this was harming businesses and our economy. The SME Chamber was never against putting in place the required checks and balances. Over-regulation and burdening SMEs with the inability to work and waste of precious resources was never the answer, or a solution to any problem our country was facing. Access to banking services and the issue of the repetition of compliance exercises were main budget proposals from the side of the Malta Chamber of SMEs and we are therefore pleased to see them being taken up.

Apart from this, the SME Chamber also asked the government to intervene to protect corporate bank clients from the abuse of dominant position, from unfair treatment and the imposition of unjustified costs and charges. The SME Chamber still believes that while the cost of banking services is increasing exponentially, the quality of the service is not only not being elevated at par but continues going down in quality. Therefore, while paying much more for basic banking functions, SMEs are many times greatly unhappy with the level of service being given by the major banks. Regulatory surveillance and protection in this area is evidently missing.

The commitment made yesterday by the Prime Minister to give access to banking services to all businesses and centralise all compliance efforts across the country are greatly welcome. The Malta Chamber of SMEs also notes the positive remarks of the Leader of the Opposition in this regard. The Prime Minister’s commitment initiates a principle and a very important step to address Malta’s failures in the banking sector and give businesses guaranteed banking support.

The Prime Minister is also confirming that the compliance burden on businesses will not be removed but will be alleviated, as it should be. The Malta Chamber of SMEs believes that the implementation phase of these proposals is key in order to achieve the desired results.

The SME Chamber will continue supporting the business community and those implementing these important steps throughout this phase and will also continue working to have a healthy banking sector in Malta.

Malta Chamber of SMEs delegation visits the EXPO 2020 Dubai

Posted on 07.03.202217.03.2022 by SME Chamber

A Malta Chamber of SMEs delegation visited the EXPO 2020 Dubai. during this visit the SME Chamber delegation accompanied by Ms Josephine Farrugia, Events coordinator at the EXPO, visited several pavillions and held bilateral meetings with officials from different countries.

The SME Chamber started off by meeting the Dubai Chamber at the EXPO and both sides exchanged ideas and possible further collaboration between both sides.

Following this, the delegation visited the Egyptian pavillion and before touring the pavillion, met two high officials representing the Egyptian Government. dR. kHALED melad Rezek, the Egypt Pavillion Director stated that both countried could increase their relationship and eventually increase business. Mr Mario Debono on behalf the SME Chamber promised that both sides will meet again to discuss further collaboration.

At the center of it all, Al Wasl’s massive dome rises more than 221 feet, creating an open-air lobby that doubles as the world’s largest 360-degree projection theater.

SME Chamber delegation during a presentation by the Dubai Chamber

SME Chamber delegation at the Kuwait pavillion

On its first day the SME Chamber delegation visited also the Saudi Arabia pavillion, one of the most impressive pavillions at the EXPO. This was the second largest pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai with a total area of 13,059 sqm. The Saudi Pavilion offers a glimpse into our shared future, taking you on a journey through our ambitions across four main pillars: people, nature, heritage and opportunities.

A glimpse of the Saudi Arabian pavillion

The SME Chamber delegation also visitied Malta’s pavillion at the EXPO and met Maltese officials working on the pavillion.

“Il-Luzzu” at Malta’s pavillion

SME Chamber delegation meeting Egyptian government officials at the Egyptian pavillion

The SME Chamber delegation also visited and held meething at the Italy pavillion, Mexican pavillion, Australian pavillion, Columbian pavillion, Oman pavillion, Kuwait’s pavillion, Argentina’s pavillion and Hungary’s pavillion.

SME Chamber delegation at the Italian pavillion

SME Chamber delegation at the Mexican pavillion following meetings with Government officials

SME Chamber Vice-President Mr Marcel Mizzi and other SME Chamber council members meeting Columbia’s Cali politician.

SME Chamber delegation meeting Australian officials at the Australia pavillion

During this visit, the delegation met H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta and Permanent Representative of Malta to IRENA Abu Dhabi.

SME Chamber delegation meeting Oman’s officials and pavillion

Paul Abela meets Bosnia & Herzegovina Prime Minister at the EXPO 2020 Dubai

Leaders for SMEs – A pre-election meet up for Businesses

Posted on 05.03.202209.03.2022 by SME Chamber

Dr Robert Abela and Dr Bernard Grech will meet up head-to-head for the first time

As part of its pre-election initiatives, the Malta Chamber of SMEs is organising a business event directly with the leaders of the two main political parties.Dr Robert Abela and Dr Bernard Grech will be present at the SME Chamber’s event to address businesses and communicate their plans for the 5 years to come.You will get to ASK your question and put forward your PROPOSAL.Seating is very limited so it is on a first come first served basis.

This event is being held in Maltese. In line with COVID-19 regualtions, the event is open for fully Vaccinated attendees only.

The event is only open to SME Chamber paid up members. Businesses who are not yet members of the SME Chamber will have their registration accepted upon joining as members.

Click here to register

Paul Abela meets Bosnia & Herzegovina Prime Minister at the EXPO 2020 Dubai

Posted on 04.03.202217.03.2022 by SME Chamber

Malta Chamber of SMEs President Mr Paul Abela. among other meetings at the EXPO 2020 Dubai, met Mr Edin Forto, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton at a networking event organised at the EXPO Dubai 2020 during the Bosnia and Herzegovina day celebrations.

Mr Abela and Mr Forto discussed possible future collaborations and the current relations between both countries.

Mr Abela accompanied by Ms Josephine Farrugia, Events cooridinator at the Expo 200 Dubai, met the Dubai chamber and visited several interesting pavillions at the EXPO, such as Saudi Arabia, Slovakia and Hungary among others.

SME Chamber discusses concerns in the engagement of TCNs with Minister Byron Camilleri

Posted on 02.03.202216.03.2022 by SME Chamber

Meeting the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Hon Byron Camilleri to address concerns in the engagement of TCN workers.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs top officials, President Paul Abela and CEO Abigail Agius Mamo were pleased to note the Minister’s positive approach to work constructively alongside the SME Chamber and his commitment to aid bona-fide businesses.

SME Chamber meets Hon Consul for Liechtenstein in Malta

Posted on 23.02.202223.03.2022 by SME Chamber

Malta Chamber of SMEs Vice-President, International Relations Mr Chris Vassallo met Dr.Peter Krenn, Hon Consul for Liechtenstein to potential new avenues of cooperation between Malta and Liechtenstein.

Mr Vassallo stated that like Malta, Liechtenstein is a small country and therefore both countries may benefit from each other.

Covid wage supplement extended to March

Posted on 18.02.202218.02.2022 by SME Chamber

The wage supplement was introduced in March 2020 followinga proposal by the Malta Chamber of SMEs

Minister Miriam Dalli announced that the COVID-19 wage supplement has been extended to March.

Minister Dalli said that “the government has and continues to support businesses and entrepreneurs, as despite the COVID-19 situation, we want them to grow and strengthen their operations”.

During discussions with Government officials throughout the past weeks, the Malta Chamber of SMEs had emphasised on the importance to extend the wage supplement until end of March.

Minister Dalli said the extension was approved by cabinet and that the government would be monitoring the country’s economic situation.

“Several sectors were impacted by the pandemic in January and February, especially tourism. We now expect March to be a time for recovery, which is why we decided that this aid needs to remain” she said.

Trust Payments sign agreement with APS Bank to offer merchant acquiring services

Posted on 17.02.202217.02.2022 by SME Chamber

Trust Payments are partners of the Malta Chamber of SMEs

Merchant acquiring services are provided to merchants, such as retail establishments, to enable them to accept credit or debit card payments

Malta chamber of SMEs partners, Trust Payments and APS Bank on Thursday announced a new partnership.

APS bank business customers will now be able to accept card payments through a POS terminal and other forms of electronic payments, with the funds being deposited into their APS Bank account.

APS bank customers can also benefit from Trust Payments’ innovative eCommerce platform which equips merchants with easy-to-use tools to build, scale and sell online.

Mr Steve Grech, CEO of Trust Payments Malta, said: “This is a great opportunity for us to work together with APS Bank, a reputable long-established and fast-growing local bank, to help their business customers to access acquiring and eCommerce services and solutions quickly and easily.”

Mr Anthony Buttigieg, Chief Banking Officer at APS Bank, added: “We are constantly working to continue improving our service for business customers. We have decided to partner up with Trust Payments as our merchant services provider, because of their trusted, well established and easy to use service, account management and around the clock technical support.”

Malta Chamber of SME and Trust Payments partnered over a year ago and through this partnership, Trust Payments offer a competitive card payments charges for the SME Chamber members.

Businesses are encouraged to check this out to see how much their business will save as from day one. If you wish further details kindly send an email on or call +356 21232881.