Author: SME Chamber

The scheme encourages enterprises to invest in sustainable and digitalised operations

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.

“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 .

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.

The 2022 Budget will be announced on Monday

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 1^st offices at Ċentru Joseph Grech, 2^nd 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                  

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.

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.