The European Commission has initiated an online consultation to assess the state of cyber security in digital products and ancillary services available across the EU, in preparation for a proposal for a Cyber Resilience Act.
The proposal aims introduce common cybersecurity rules for manufacturers and vendors of tangible and intangible digital products and ancillary services.
Through the online public consultation, the Commission is seeking to gather the views and experience from a variety of stakeholders with respect to cyber security and resilience.
For more information on the consultation please go directly to the online consultation.
We encourage you to provide your feedback based on your experience working in Malta’s Tech sector.
Malta Chamber of SMEs Vice-President Mr Marcel Mizzi earlier today participated in a business webinar organised by the Malta Business Bureau on the Impact of #Digitalisation on Modalities of Connecting & Disconnecting.
The speakers discussed issues related to surveillance at the workplace.
Mr Mizzi stated that “achievement of a business’s objectives should not depend or require an out of working hours connection”.
DR ROBERT ABELA WAS ELECTED FOLLOWING LAST SATURDAY’S GENERAL ELECTION
Following last Saturday’s election and today’s swearing-in of Dr Robert Abela as Prime Minister of Malta, the Malta Chamber of SMEs extends its congratulations and looks forward to continue working closely for this coming legislature.
Throughout the past 2 years Prime Minister Robert Abela always had an open channel of communication with the SME Chamber. The SME Chamber and Prime Minister have been working side by side during some of the hardest times our country has ever experienced for the benefit of the economy at large. We now look forward to continue building on this positive experience during the next five years.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs also congratulates all candidates on being elected as Members of Parliament.
Tunisian Ambassador to Malta H.E. Yassine El Oued accompanies by his First Secretary Mr Mohamed Wael Khammassi visited the SME Chamber office in Floriana and met President Mr Paul Abela and Council Member Mr Mario DeBono.
Both sides discussed the success following the recent online business forum organised between the Malta Chamber of SMEs and the Tunisian Chamber with the collaboration of the Tunisian Embassy in Malta.
Mr Paul Abela mentioned that further collaborations will be organised between the Tunisian Embassy in Malta and the Malta Chamber of SMEs with the ultimate aim being that of creating business for both countries.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs earlier this week organised online information session on the new schemes for the purchase of Electric Vehicles announced last week by Transport Malta.
The information session was aimed for businesses intending to purchase new vehicles in the years to come. The new schemes caters for different requirements and subsidise cost for the purchase of EVs. This time round the grants available also cover investment costs for standard M1 vehicles up to the purchase of large passenger vehicles (coaches).
The amount in grant also ranges from Eur 13,000 per M1 vehicles (up to 10 vehicles) up to Eur 250,000 for large passenger vehicles.
Following feedback submitted by the SME Chamber, grants available for the purchase of large fleets, fall under the General Block Exemption Regulation, meaning that businesses who already exhausted their allocated amounts under the de-minimis regulation (Euro 200K). In this case grants cover the investment cost of the vehicle (the difference in price between an ICE vehicle and an Electric Vehicle) rather than a specified lump sump.
The session was delivered by 2 of Transport Malta top officials, Mr Gilbert Agius, Deputy Chief Officer at Transport Malta and Ing. Ronald Attard Pullicino, Manager, Transport Services at Transport Malta.
Members present were able to direct questions to Transport Malta. A detailed report, together with the session recording will also be sent to members for their perusal.
Members may watch the recorded webinar by requesting the link by email to
The Energy and Water Agency is organizing a 9 hour (3 sessions of 3 hrs) online course aimed at corporate employees.
Have you ever wondered how you can transform your business and take the lead on sustainability? Then this is the opportunity you may just be looking for.
The Energy and Water Agency is offering a set of free online sustainability sessions aimed at the corporate sector. The course will cover a spectrum of sustainability opportunities including waste management, renewable energy, water and energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, green roofs, and much more.
The course has been designed to be interactive and registrants will have the opportunity to participate in various group tasks, discuss best practices and learn from one another. Through the various case studies led by multiple experts at the forefront of sustainability, attendees will gain first-hand knowledge on sustainable measures to implement to their business.
Participants will gain a holistic overview of sustainable measures they can incorporate to their business to level up their Corporate Social Responsibility. The course is endorsed by the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development. Upon completion, attendees will receive a certificate of participation which be showcased on your digital platforms to celebrate your commitment towards sustainability.
Upon request attendees can also receive a free consultation session, to discuss best practices and factual tips that they can implement within the company. All information disclosed will remain confidential.
The course is made up of three, 3-hour sessions which will be held every Tuesday between 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm, starting Tuesday 22nd February 2022. Download the accompanying flyer for more information.
To reserve your space today, contact Amanda Zahra on tel: +356 2229 2532 or by email at . Attendees will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING FOR RESEARCH
Comparing the determinants affecting the adoption of a cashless society among self-employed and employed individuals: A local perspective
Ms Kelsey Camilleri is currently undertaking a (BSc) Degree in Financial Services and Management at Mcast. As part of her dissertation, she is conducting a questionnaire to uncover the perspective and factors affecting the uptake of a cashless society among full-time self-employed individuals and local employees. Kindly spare 5 minutes to participate in this study.
Social Entrepreneurial Skills for Success Program (SESSP)
The Social Entrepreneurs Association Malta (SEAM), in partnership with the Center for Social Innovation in Cyprus, is implementing the Project Social Entrepreneurial Skills for Success Program (SESSP). The project is financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. The overall aim of the project is to offer high quality learning opportunities to enterprises that want to have a social impact.
In order to evaluate the needs of social enterprises across Malta and Cyprus in terms of training, support mechanisms and other areas, we are requesting social entrepreneurs in the two countries to fill in this short survey. Filling the survey will not take longer than 20 minutes and will help SEAM design an effective training program based on the respondents’ needs. The survey contains a section on general information on your enterprise, followed by 8 questions on your enterprise’s goals, challenges, training and support needs.
Should you have any queries, please email Lara Bezzina on
THE WAGE SUPPLEMENT WAS INTRODUCED IN MARCH 2020 FOLLOWING A PROPOSAL BY THE MALTA CHAMBER OF SMES
Malta Enterprise announced that the COVID-19 wage supplement has been extended to April.
In a facebook post, Malta Enterprise said that the current amounts of Wage Supplement continue to apply.
On Monday, when presenting its 35 election manifest proposals during the Leaders for smes event, the SME Chamber proposed that covid-19 safet net should be extended.
Throughout the past months, the Malta Chamber of SMEs had emphasised on the importance to extend the wage supplement especially for those sectors that didn’t completely recover.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs, the Malta Employers Association and the Chamber of Commerce called for the immediate withdrawal of the PL’s proposal for mandatory union membership.
Spokespersons of the associations addressed a press conference, saying that the mandatory union membership proposal goes against the country’s constitutional principles.
CEO at the Malta Chamber of SMEs Abigail Mamo said that the PL’s proposal has induced serious worries in small businesses, who are concerned that their positive relations with their employees will change upon implementation of the proposal. Mamo said that there has been no situations or circumstances where the employer’s bodies felt the need for a mandatory union membership proposal.
President of the MEA Joanne Bondin said that the employer bodies have always opposed this kind of proposal, due to the risk that it will force industrial relations within the country to change drastically, she said.
President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce Marisa Xuereb said that the proposal will deprive workers of their human rights. Mandatory membership also reduces the incentive that workers have to carry out their job correctly, Xuereb said.
Director General of the MEA Joe Farrugia said that the proposal goes against the constitution and fails to consider social dialogue between the government and employers and workers.
He encouraged political parties to focus on capacity building, saying that the proposal will result in serious disruption in social dialogue systems in Malta.
