Smart and Sustainable Investment Scheme 2021 launched

The scheme encourages enterprises to invest in sustainable and digitalised operations

To further encourage enterprises to invest in sustainable and digitalised operations, businesses may benefit from up to €70,000 to implement projects which lead to more sustainable and digital processes.

The Smart & Sustainable scheme, managed by Malta Enterprise, will incentivize more competitiveness and better use of resources which will enhance the economic activity of these businesses.

This was announced by the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli together with Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia.

With the Smart & Sustainable scheme, businesses can benefit from up to €50,000 for every project, whereby those eligible can benefit from a 50% of the total eligible costs. Moreover, those eligible for this scheme may also benefit from a tax credit of up to €20,000 for each product which satisfies at least two from the three criteria, which are:

  1. New investment or an expansion in Gozo.
  2. A project which will be implemented by an enterprise which is in a start-up phase.
  3. Reduction of carbon which is determined through an independent auditor by the enterprise

If a project satisfies one criteria, the tax credit assistance will amount to €10,000.

The European Union is committed to becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050.

This requires significant investment from both the EU and the national public sector, as well as the private sector. Apart from being an obligation, the twin transition to more digital and environmentally-sustainable business practices provides an opportunity for enterprises to grow, enhance their competitiveness and improve sustainability of the economic activity.

Malta Enterprise, as a pivotal economic development agency in Malta, will be supporting business in their investments to incentivise the adoption of these twin transition paths for growth.The Smart and Sustainable Investment Grant provides business funding to support the undertaking of investments that lead to more sustainable and digitalised processes leading to the enhancement of competitiveness of the enterprises through the optimisation of the use of resources in their activities.

  • To assist companies in kick-starting the investment cycle after the pandemic
  • To signal the policy direction in terms of new economic niches which the country intends to develop in line with the European Green Deal
  • Investment made by start-up companies,
  • Investments which directly create new green jobs

Applications will be available from mid-November.

Click here for incentive guidelines.

Malta Future Realised Week 2021 – EY Annual conference

Malta’s largest virtual business forum returns on October 19-22

EY’s annual flagship event – a checkpoint for Malta’s economy – is back next October! The almost two decades old event, previously known as the Malta Attractiveness Event, went through a transformation of its own in 2020, turning into a week-long virtual experience open to all of Malta: public and private sector leaders, academics, students, NGOs, businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, environmentalists, advisors, investors, techies, creatives … everybody with Malta and their own future, at heart.

As Malta battles through and emerges from the biggest global crisis of the 21st Century, we must view this moment as the opportunity to really build a better working Malta.
You’re probably wondering: how can we do that?

Everything begins with an idea.

Immerse yourself in 4-virtual experiences which ask better questions to achieve better long-term answers for the challenges currently facing the country, businesses and its people.

1. Top international and local speakers with the latest insights …

Join over 50 speakers: CEOs, CFOs, entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, influential business and government leaders from Malta and around the worldUnleash ideas and share experiences on business growth, innovation and what’s shaping the future of the global economy.

2. Business planning for Covid-19 recovery and what’s next …

Before the pandemic, many companies delayed responding decisively to new value drivers and imperatives. That’s no longer an option. As Maltese businesses and society embark on a new voyage, we must chart a more sustainable course together. The stakes have never been higher.

3. The hottest data on Malta’s FDI investment, youth and consumer landscapes …
EY’s latest research will provide talking points and insights throughout:
  • Foreign direct investors latest thinking on Malta’s business environment
  • The differences and similarities between Gen-Z and Millennials
  • How consumers have evolved as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The technology and digital trends taking over now and ones to watch for the future

Food Waste: A social and sustainable initiative

“Good social cause but also makes reasonable business sense”

The Ministry for Environment and Climate Change is planning to launch an initiative that would see supermarkets being protagonists. It is an initiative that has a good social cause but also makes reasonable business sense.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs is also aware that some supermarkets already do this sometimes and the idea is to continue supporting them in this direction and in no way adding any bureaucracy.

The plan is to facilitate any food waste because it is not fit for the shelve or to be on display to go to registered NGOs that run food banks. This would of course still be suitable for human consumption.

The Ministry will be offering a very straight-forward platform where one can post what has become available and one of the NGOs would arrange for it to be collected.

Waste will become an increasingly big cost on any business operation and therefore this would alleviate such cost. In addition to this, the SME Chamber has also suggested for recognition and visibility to be given to supermarkets and other stakeholders participating in this good initiative. This is after all CSR.

As a first step the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised the first meeting with supermarket representatives around Malta earlier this week and mentioned that they are in favour of such platform, however mentioned certain difficulties this might create, such as when NGO’s won’t have refrigerated vehicles and the possibility of lack of volunteers by the NGO’s, therefore our members proposed the intervention of the Government to minimise these difficulties.

Another important stakeholder for such initiative to be successful are the suppliers, and within the next few days the Malta Chamber of SMEs will organise a consultation meeting between them and the Ministry representatives.

If you’re interested in contributing to this initiative contact Mr Fabian Demicoli on .

Malta Chamber of SMEs organises a consultation meeting on EU Funding 2022-2027

Over 100 members participated during this consultation meeting with the participation of Parliamentary Secretary Hon Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi

The Malta Chamber of SMEs organised an online consultation meeting with members in collaboration with Hon Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for EU funding.

The consultation focused on the next round of funds, which will take us beyond the 5 years to come.

The Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, through the ERDF, CF and JTF funds, provides an opportunity for Malta to invest in a number of areas, including research and innovation (R&I), competitiveness and digitalisation, natural resources and the environment, transport, education, employment, health, tourism and urban development, which are of significant importance in the socioeconomic development of the country

The consultation meeting was attended by 100 attendees from the private sector and members expressed their opinions on how the funds should be disbursed. Members also mentioned the main difficulties they face when applying for such funds.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs took note of all the comments and suggestions made by its members during this consultation meeting and submitted its feedback for the consultation document to the Strategy and Consultation Division within the EU  Funds section.

Malta Chamber of SMEs meets Prime Minister ahead of the 2022 Budget

The 2022 Budget will be announced on Monday

This coming Monday we will be following the Minister for Finance Clyde Caruana while he reads the Budget speech.

Budget time is always a busy time for SME Chamber officials as we work to put forward fiscal and policy proposals and follow these proposals with meetings with the Prime Minister Robert Abela and relevant Ministers.

Following the Budget speech we cooperate on the implementation of the measures announced. We will get back to members to explain the most important points for businesses as announced in the Budget.

The Industrial Property Registrations Directorate will start shifting its services online

The Industrial Property Registrations Directorate announced that as from the 1st of October 2021 will start shifting its services online. Eventually the Industrial Property Registrations Directorate will be moving to a fully remote environment.

While the online services will still be available 24/7, the Directorates office will still be offering the possbility of clients going physically to Lascaris Offices.

In addition, their clients may also utilise the services at the Business 1st offices at Ċentru Joseph Grech, 2nd Floor, Cobalt House, Notabile Road, Mriehel, Birkirkara (website www.businessfirst.com.mt) should they have any queries regarding the filing of Trademarks, Patents or Designs applications.

The Directorates correspondence address for postal mail or mail delivered by hand remains the same namely:

Industrial Property Registrations Directorate, Commerce Department

Daħlet Gnien is-Sultan, Lascaris Bastions

Valletta, VLT 2000

 

Should you wish to get in touch with the directorate via phone or email please note the following:

Trademarks                       2569 0232 / 2569 0213 / 2569 0330

Patents & Designs            2569 0109 / 2569 0230 / 2569 0224

General enquires              2569 0340

E-mail address                  

Most serious approach expected in Rfp process for the National Lottery

Many livelihoods depend on the well-functioning of the concession agreement

The Lotto Receivers Union (LRU) and the Gaming and Lotteries Agents Association (GLAA), both part of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, emphasise, as direct stakeholders in the National Lottery system, how important it is to ensure the highest standards in governance and diligence in the evaluation process that will choose the next concessionaire.

The last concession lasted 10 years and therefore once the bidder is confirmed a long-term track record is expected. The concession is a contract of significant importance, with tens of millions in commitment, and therefore there is no room for error.

Lotto Agents have been present since the very beginning of the process, when the National Lottery was still directly run by the then Public Lotto, well before it was issued in the form of a concession, some ten years ago. Till today over 210 Lotto Receivers and Sellers, 465 seller assistants and their families depend on this concession for their livelihoods.

In the run up to the concession the LRU, the GLAA and the SME Chamber have presented proposals to the government with the aim of learning and improving on the past experience and we are pleased to note that the Rfp reflects a number of important improvements. An important point highlighted in the proposals is to give significant weight to the seriousness and repute of the bidders and for these to have an already proven track record.

In Malta’s situation, the country does not afford mistakes and the life of businesses has already become overly difficult due to the impact of the FATF Greylisting and the AML requirements. The government must do everything in its power to ensure that the sector is not overshadowed by additional bad light and that choices are based on a healthy functioning sector.

SME Chamber organises its first ever virtual networking with Tunisian businesses

Other virtual business networking will take place with businesses in Abu-Dhabi and Ankara

The SME Chamber organised the first virtual networking forum with Tunisia for its members.

During this virtual forum, our members had the opportunity to explore direct business collaborations and common interests with other businesses based in the area.

This online forum was first addressed by the Malta Chamber of SMEs President Mr Paul Abela and the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Center of Tunisia Mr Nejib Mellouli, the forum was then addressed by his Excellency Mr. Yassine Eloued, Ambassador of Tunisia to Malta.

Following these introduction, both countries presented their business environment and all businesses were split into rooms according to sectors and interests.

We hope to have more similar opportunities for our members as we’re currently planning other business forums with Ankara and Abu Dhabi.

Online Meeting – EU Funding 2022 – 2027 What’s in it for businesses?

The online consultation meeting will be held on the 7th of October

The Chamber of SMEs would like to invite you to an online consultation meeting on this important topic.

The government is currently closing on its plans of how the next set of funds that will take us beyond the coming 5 years will be allocated. Government officials will explain the plans currently in place in full.

How can you benefit from this meeting?

  • Ensure that EU funds allocated for Businesses are sufficient, adequate and reflect the actual needs of businesses.
  • Understand and be able to prepare for the funding opportunities that will become available for the private sector
  • Highlight your funding needs for projects you are foreseeing or general support

It is important to take full-advantage of this window of opportunity that we have.

The online meeting will be held as follows:

Registration is required to be sent the meeting link.

This meeting is only open for SME Chamber paid-up members, those not currently members will still be allowed to join the meeting once their membership position is updated.

Malta Chamber of SMEs
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.