Category: Archive – 2006

Euro Commerce tintervjeni biex tissapportja l-complaint tal-GRTU

Il-GRTU qed tikkontesta quddiem il-Kummissarju ghall-Kompetizjoni tal-EU Nellie Kroes, il-mod kif l-Ufficju tal-Kompetizzjoni Gusta f’Malta qed jitmexxa.

Il-GRTU wkoll mexxiet l-kwistjoni quddiem l-Euro Commerce il-federazzjoni ewropeja li tirraprezenta l-organizazzjonijiet Nazzjonali fl-istati membri tal-EU li jirraprezentaw in-negozji kummercjali.

Il-Euro Commerce qed tappella lil-Kummissarju Kroes biex tinvestiga kif il-gvern Malta qed ihaddem l-Ufficcju tal-Kummerc Gust f’Malta.

Illum it-Tnejn, 20 ta’ Marzu 2006 fil-11.15am

Il-GRTU qed tiltaqa’ mal-ghola awtoritajiet tal-pajjiz bil-ghan li tizgura li din is-sena tkun is-sena li vera taghmel id-differenza ghan-negozji zghar u medji Maltin u Ghawdxin. Hekk kif nersqu lejn it-tieni anniversarju ta’ Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropea il-GRTU temmen li jista’ jsir hafna aktar biex in-negozji zghar u medji Maltin u Ghawdxin ihossu positivament il-vantaggi tas-shubija. Il-kampanja tal-GRTU bdiet f’Jannar bil-presenza tal-Prim Ministru l-Onor Lawrence Gonzi fil-Konferenza Annwali tal-GRTU u ser tkompli llum fil-laqgha mal-President ta’ Malta.

Illum it-Tnejn, 20 ta’ Marzu 2006 fil-11.15am

Il-GRTU qed tiltaqa’ mal-ghola awtoritajiet tal-pajjiz bil-ghan li tizgura li din is-sena tkun is-sena li vera taghmel id-differenza ghan-negozji zghar u medji Maltin u Ghawdxin. Hekk kif nersqu lejn it-tieni anniversarju ta’ Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropea il-GRTU temmen li jista’ jsir hafna aktar biex in-negozji zghar u medji Maltin u Ghawdxin ihossu positivament il-vantaggi tas-shubija. Il-kampanja tal-GRTU bdiet f’Jannar bil-presenza tal-Prim Ministru l-Onor Lawrence Gonzi fil-Konferenza Annwali tal-GRTU u ser tkompli llum fil-laqgha mal-President ta’ Malta.

Hawn taht issib id-diskors tal-okkazjoni tal-President tal-GRTU Paul Abela.
EMBARGO: 11.30am

Ghaziz President, hu unur ghalija, bhala President tal-GRTU, li nindirizzak f’din l-ewwel okkazzjoni ufficjali li l-Kunsill tal-GRTU qed jiltaqgha mieghek. Nirringrazzjak li accettajt l-istedina taghna u nghidlek mal-ewwel ghaliex xtaqna din il-laqgha.

Il-GRTU, kif taf int, hadet sehem attiv u, nghid wkoll, decisiva, waqt in-negozjati biex Malta tissieheb fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. L-analizi ekonomici li kellna f’idejna kienu qed juru bic-car li l-ekonomija Maltija, mhaddma kif kienet fuq il-kuncett tal-mixed economy, kienet wasslet fi sqaq.

Il-kumbinazzjoni ta’ protezzjoni ghall-operaturi li jahdmu ghas-suq lokali, u liberalizazzjoni fejn tidhol intrapriza li timmira lejn l-esportazzjoni, akkumpanjata minn livell qawwi ta’ interventi mill-gvern, u l-awtoritajiet kwazi gvern, fit-thaddim tal-ekonomija, kienu wasslu lil ekonomija fi stat ta’ no-growth. Nemmnu li ghalhekk li d-dejn nazzjonali beda tiela’ b’rati mhux accetabbli, li riflessjoni tal- izbilanc qawwi bejn dak li l-gvern jonfoq u dak li l-gvern idahhal, sitwazzjoni li tigbah lil dik ta dak li jrid jibqa’ jghix komdu imma m’ghandux mezzi biex johloq introjtu biex isostni l-kumdita’ tieghu.

Kien jidher car li Malta htieget strategiji godda li jifthu opportunitajiet ghal tkabbir gdid tal-ekonomija Maltija. L-analizi tal-ekonomist taghna uriet li t-triq ewlenija kienet il-partecipazzjoni ta’ Malta fis-suq kbir Ewropew. Dan kien ifisser shubija fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Dan kien ifisser li Malta riedet twettaq program mahsub ta’ re-allokazzjoni ta’ rizorsi kemm umani kif ukoll finanzjarji u ta’ rizorsi ohra biex l-ghanijiet mixtieqa jintlahqu. Kien ifisser fuq kollox bidla kbira fil-mentalita’ ta’ hafna sidien ta’ intraprizi Maltin, tal-impjegati tal-gvern u tal-haddiema in generali. Ghalina fil-GRTU kien ifisser li ridna nfasslu strategija bil-ghaqal kemm waqt in-negozjati, kif wkoll qabel nidhlu, u aktar u aktar ghal wara li nidhlu. Kburin li kellna strategija bhal din.

Ghax il-GRTU ma bezghatx minn din l-istrategija mehtiega. Ma bezghatx mill-problemi kbar li t-twettiq ta’ din l-istrategija kienet ser tghabbina bihom. Hassejna li bhala mexxejja ta’ settur hekk importanti ghal pajjizna – dak ta’ negozji u sidien ta’ intraprizi zghar minn kull settur tal-ekonomija – ghax, Sur President, illum bi kburija nghidu, li minn organizazzjoni tan-nies tal-hwienet, illum il-GRTU firxet fuq kull qasam tal-intrapriza hu x’inhu s-settur, frixna ghal kull tip ta’ negozju fejn hemm sid li jmexxi hu, – iva, hassejna, bhala mexxejja, li lin-nies taghna nigwidawhom u nghinuhom jimxu fit-triq li hi fl-ahjar interess taghhom, tan-negozju taghhom, tal-familji taghhom u tal-impjegati taghhom u l-familji taghhom.

Illum, Sur President, gejna hawn, biex mieghek, li hdimt tant biex l-opportunita Ewropeja saret realta’, niflu flimkien, hekk kif wasalna ghat-tieni anniversarju ta’ Malta fl-Unjoni Ewropeja, x’jista’ jsir biex l-aspirazzjoni taghna, dik li naghmlu lil Malta zona mill-aktar kompettiva fis-Suq Wiehed Ewropew, issir realta’.

F’dawn is-sentejn, Sur President, hdimna hafna. Jien personalment relattivament gdid, hafna mill-membri tal-Kunsill Ezekuttiv ukoll huma godda, pero naf b’liema dedikazzjoni dawk ta’ qabli u d-Direttur Generali, in partikulari, hadmu biex illum wasalna fejn ahna llum. Illum il-GRTU mhux biss hi membru attiv hafna tal-MCESD u hi involuta f’kull livell ta’ kunsultazzjoni, Dan ukoll barra x-xoghol kbir li ghandna u li dejjem jikber biex inzommu firxa ta’ aktar minn 7,000 negozju u sid ta’ intraprizi infurmat u ppreparat. Illum ahna, barra minn dan, llahqu wkoll mal-impenji ma jieqfu qatt tas-shubija fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Impenjati fil-European & Social Council fejn ahna rapprezentanti direttament, fil-EuroCommerce, l-ghaqda Ewropeja li tirraprezenta l-organizazzjonijiet nazzjonali mis-settur tal-kummerc, u fil-UEAPME, li hi l-federazzjoni ewropeja tal-intraprizi zghar u medji u f’organizazzjonjiet ohra Ewropej li jirraprezentaw setturi partikulari li f’Malta nirraprezentawhom ahna. F’dawn l-organizazzjonijiet ahna attivi u partecipanti denji.

Dan kollu illum poggina aktar minn qatt qabel f’sitwazzjoni fejn nistghu nkunu msiehba socjali mill-aktar effettivi, f’isem l-imsiehba taghna, l-oqsma li nirraprezentaw, u ghal pajjizna. Nemmnu li b’inha vicin il-gvern u l-awtoritajiet jkunu f’posizzjoni ahjar biex lil Malta ingiebulha l-ahjar u rresqu lejna futur ahjar. Ahna hekk nemmnu. Dnub izda li mhux kulhadd fl-awtorita jemmen dan.

Sur President, niddejjaq nghidlek dan. Ghadu mhux kulhadd fl-awtoritajiet konxju tal-kapacitajiet u l-importanza tan-negozji z-zghar ta’ pajjizna. Ghad hawn wisq pregudizzji. Ghad hawn wisq fl-amministrazzjoni u fil-politika nies li jahsbu li jekk m’intiex sid ta’ fabbrika, sid ta’ lukanda jew sid ta’ xi stabbiliment kbir, allura qiesek m’inti xejn. In-nies taghna jahdmu fil-lokalitajiet ta’ Malta kollha. Dawn huma l-maggoranza tal-istabilimenti. Illum terz tal-prodott gross nazzjonali gej minn dawn l-istabilimenti. In-nies taghna mis-setturi kollha li nirraprezentaw – trading, retailing, garaxxijiet tat-tiswija, zviluppaturi, kuntratturi, burdnara, appartamenti ghat-turisti, host families, postijiet tad-divertiment, bars u snack bars, u servizzi ta kull generu – ihaddmu flimkien aktar minn terz tan-nies kollha li jahdmu

Ghalhekk ahna nixtiequ naraw lil pajjizna enterprise-driven. Nixtiequ qabel ma tittiehed decizjoni l-awtoritajiet jaraw l-ewwel x’effett ser ikollha fuq min irid jinvesti u jhaddem u jkabbar il-gid. Minflok, izda, sfortunatament, ghandna regulation-driven economy. Qiesu nippremjaw lil min jivvinta xi regulament gdid. Nahsbu li r-regolamenti joholqu l-gid. X’hin nigu ghal ghajnuna ghandna insibu wisq tfixkil. Qed imbaghtu,Sur President, biex nibdlu din l-mentalita.

In-nies taghna jridu jkabbru, iridu joholqu aktar gid. Mhux vera li ma jridux jindukraw l-ambjent jew li ma jridux jobdu r-regolamenti jew li ma jridux ihallsu t-taxxi. Izda hemm livell accettabli ghal kollox. Illum il-livell ta’ taxxi fuq l-intraprizi qed jaffigna. Difficli tlahhaq. U kif taqa’ lura taqbez fuqek it-Tax Compliance Unit. In-numru ta’ inspections, wardens, regolamenti, formoli, u talbiet ohra fuq hina u fuq hwejjigna, qed jiflina. B’danakollu, Sur President, in-nies taghna jimxu u l-gid jidher. U jista’ jkollna aktar gid jekk il-gvern jghaggel fir-riformi ta’ ligijiet li qed jifluna. Ghalhekk ahna il-hin kollu ninsistu ghar-riformi

Ahna nemmnu fil-better regulation. Nemmnu f’sistema fejn l-imsiehba socjali jiddahhlu dejjem aktar fid-decizjonijiet. Nemmnu f’konsultazzjoni vera u mhux tinfurmana meta tlestiha wahdek. Nemmnu fuq kollox fuq il-kapacita tan-nies taghna. Nemmnu bil-kbir li ghandna hila nkunu ahjar.

Gejna ghandek, Sur President, ghax inhossu li mieghek, bl-esperjenza kbira tieghek, nistghu nitkellmu. Nittamaw li tuza l-influwenza tieghek biex l-ostakoli li baqa’ nnaqsuhom. Ghax nemmnu tassew f’dak li ghedna fil-bidu ta’ din is-sena: irridu l-2006 tkun is-sena li taghmel id-differenza ghan-negozji zghar u medji Maltin. Irridu inizjattivi godda biex is-sidien tan-negozji jharsu ‘l quddiem b’aktar fiducja. In-nies taghna jridu jahdmu. Iridu li s-sistema tkun warajhom u maghhom u mhux kontrihom u f’saqajhom. Ghalhekk nittamaw f’mentalita aktar posittiva lejn is-sid tal-intrapriza.

Ir-realta Ewropeja hi importanti ghalina. Ma rridux li ndumu ma niehdu l-vantaggi kollha tas-shubija. Hekk kif naslu ghat-tieni anniversarju ta dak il-jum memorabbli ghal pajjizna inhossu li hu zmien tajjeb ghal ezami serju tas-sitwazzjoni u biex naghmlu rizoluzzjonijiet godda halli l-intoppi li ghandna nirbhuhom. Ahna certi li bis-support taghna dawn l-intoppi jintrebhu. Ahna ir-rizoluzzjonijiet taghna ghamilnihom. Nistennew li s-sistema minn, fuq s’isfel, taghmel ir-rizoluzzjonijiet taghha, fost l-ohra li taghmel 2006 l-ahjar sena ghan-negozji ta’ pajjizna.

Sur President, nirringrazzjak li smajtna. Niehdu gost nisimghu lilek. Shabi kollha ghandhom hsibijiet li jixtiequ jaqsmu mieghek. Ghal darb’ohra, nirringrazzjak u nixtieq inhallilek rikordju ta’ din l-okkazzjoni. Nghaddilek ukoll kontribuzzjoni minn naha taghna ghall-Community Chest Fund.

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji – qed tesprimi b’mod pubbliku l-inkwiet taghha dwar il-mod kif il-gvern qed imexxi fuq il-kwistjoni tar-riciklagg tal-iskart. Sa llum ftit li xejn saret konsultazzjoni mal-GRTU li tirraprezenta l-firxa l-aktar wiesa ta’ negozji, servizzi u intraprizi mifruxa ma’ Malta kollha. Jidher izda li l-gvern diga ddecieda wahdu l-linji li fuqhom ser imexxi. Aghar minn hekk jidher li hawn min hu infurmat ghax forsi ghandu xi privilegg specjali, filwaqt li ohrajn li ghandhom dritt li jkunu nvoluti, qed jithallew barra.

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji – qed tesprimi b’mod pubbliku l-inkwiet taghha dwar il-mod kif il-gvern qed imexxi fuq il-kwistjoni tar-riciklagg tal-iskart. Sa llum ftit li xejn saret konsultazzjoni mal-GRTU li tirraprezenta l-firxa l-aktar wiesa ta’ negozji, servizzi u intraprizi mifruxa ma’ Malta kollha. Jidher izda li l-gvern diga ddecieda wahdu l-linji li fuqhom ser imexxi. Aghar minn hekk jidher li hawn min hu infurmat ghax forsi ghandu xi privilegg specjali, filwaqt li ohrajn li ghandhom dritt li jkunu nvoluti, qed jithallew barra.

Il-GRTU twiddeb li mhux ser taccetta l-izball goff li sar meta l-gvern qabad u impona l-Eco Tax. Meta ddahhlet din it-taxxa stramba l-gvern qabad u ddecieda wahdu allavolja kien avzat mill-GRTU li dik kienet taxxa iebsa u li kienet ser tiddetermina ghas-snin li gejjin dak li ser isir dwar ir-riciklagg. Is-sidien tan-negozji llum isostnu li la l-gvern qed jithallas permezz tal-Eco Tax huma m’ghandhomx ikunu mghobbija wkoll bi spejjez ohra, aktar u aktar meta l-gvern behsiebu jzid il-lista ta’ prodotti li jsoffru l-Eco Tax.

Milli qed jinghad s’issa jidher li l-gvern behsiebu jillegisla biex jimponi fuq is-sidien tal-hwienet u negozji ohra bhal bars, snack bars u hwienet ohra biex dawn ikollhom bilfors jimponu hlas extra bhala deposit fuq il-minerali u prodotti ohra fil-hgieg, plastic u metal. Dan biex il-konsumaturi jkunu mgieghla jiehdu l-iskart lura minn fejn xtrawhom. L-indikazzjonijiet kollha li ghandha l-GRTU juru bic-car li n-nies tal-hwienet u negozji ohra ma jridux li n-negozji taghhom jsiru depositi ta’ dan l-iskart. Il-gvern jaf li llum m’hemm l-ebda ligi li ttihom is-sahha jimponu haga bhal din fuq is-sidien tal-hwienet. Il-bicca l-kbira tan-negozji la ghandhom fejn, la jridu dan l-inkarigu u l-ispejjez li dawn igibu maghhom, u lanqas ma jistghu, ghal ragunijiet ta’ igene u sahha, jsiru depositi tal-iskart. Is-sidien tal-hwienet qed ikunu avzati mill-GRTU biex joqghodu attenti ghall-manuvri bhal dawn.

Il-GRTU trid ghalhekk li l-gvern jaghmilha cara li mhiex l-intenzjoni tieghu li jimponi b’ligi sistemi ta’ depositi li jikkastigaw l-konsumaturi u lil tal-hwienet. Il-GRTU trid wkoll l-gvern jiddikjara minn kmieni li mhux l-intenzjoni tieghu li jimponi monopolju meta jigi ghall-permessi ghall-istabilimenti li jridu jinvestu f’impjanti ta’ riciklagg u fil-gbir ta’ skart indikat. Il-GRTU trid ukoll li l-gvern, wara konsultazzjoni mal-imsiehba socjali, ewlenija fosthom il-GRTU, jistabilixxi x’inhi l-ahjar policy ghal Malta dwar gbir ta’ skart u riciklagg u uzu alternattiv ghall-iskart.

Il-GRTU trid li l-gvern ma jeskludiex il-possibilita ta’ incendjatur terminali modern kbir li jkun jiflah ghall-kwantita kbira ta’ skart kummercjali u industrijali u li minnu Malta tkun tista’ tiehu fornitura sostanzjali ta’ elettriku. Fuq kollox il-GRTU trid li d-diskussjoni dwar dan il-qasam tinfetah berah u mhux tibqa’ bejn il-kwinti fejn jidhlu biss dawk li jghidu li huma esperti u l-poplu u l-istakeholders l-ohra jkunu infurmati biss permezz ta’ dak li l-awtoritajiet jiddeciedu li jxandru. Il-GRTU qed tavza lis-sidien tan-negozji biex ikunu lesti ghal direttivi minghand il-GRTU f’kaz li t-talbiet tal-GRTU jaqghu fuq widnejn it-torox.

Din hi kwistjoni li tolqot lis-setturi kollha li tirraprezenta l-GRTU u l-GRTU tghid minn issa li timmobilizza l-membri fi protesti jekk il-gvern jghoddos rasu u jmexxi wahdu u jimponi.

Il-GRTU llum kellha diskussjonijiet mad-Direttur Generali tad-Dwana u l-esperti tieghu kif ukoll mas-Segretarju Parlamentari fil-Ministeru tal-Finanzi l-Onor Tonio Fenech fejn il-GRTU inghatat dettalji ta’ x’qed isir mill-awtoritajiet biex tkun kontrollata l-problema kbira li qed tinholoq ghal hafna negozji bid-dhul ta’ kwantitajiet ta’ merkanzija b’sistemi li m’humiex regolari ghall-kummerc. Fost dawn hemm is-sistema li qed issir aktar frekwenti ta’ xoghol li jidhol f’Malta bil-vannijet u trasport privat u li jibqa’ ghaddej ghad-distribuzzjoni. Dan ix-xoghol qed jitpogga fuq is-suq bla VAT, b’vantagg ta’ nuqqas ta’ income tax u bla hlas ta’ eco-tax u qed johloq kompetizzjoni ingusta kontra xoghol li jkun dahal b’mod regolari u li jkun suggett ghat-taxxi kollha.

Il-GRTU llum kellha diskussjonijiet mad-Direttur Generali tad-Dwana u l-esperti tieghu kif ukoll mas-Segretarju Parlamentari fil-Ministeru tal-Finanzi l-Onor Tonio Fenech fejn il-GRTU inghatat dettalji ta’ x’qed isir mill-awtoritajiet biex tkun kontrollata l-problema kbira li qed tinholoq ghal hafna negozji bid-dhul ta’ kwantitajiet ta’ merkanzija b’sistemi li m’humiex regolari ghall-kummerc. Fost dawn hemm is-sistema li qed issir aktar frekwenti ta’ xoghol li jidhol f’Malta bil-vannijet u trasport privat u li jibqa’ ghaddej ghad-distribuzzjoni. Dan ix-xoghol qed jitpogga fuq is-suq bla VAT, b’vantagg ta’ nuqqas ta’ income tax u bla hlas ta’ eco-tax u qed johloq kompetizzjoni ingusta kontra xoghol li jkun dahal b’mod regolari u li jkun suggett ghat-taxxi kollha.

Id-Direttur Generali tad-Dwana ta spjega tal-investigazzjoni kollha li ssir b’ko-ordinazzjoni mal-NSO u mad-Dipartimenti tal-VAT, tal-Kummerc u tal-Biedja u assigura lil GRTU li id-dettalji kollha jinzammu u li l-awtoritajiet ghandhom id-dettalji kollha tat-tragit kollu li jsir.

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari Tonio Fenech assigura lil GRTU li l-ezercizju li sar hemm involut fih id-dipartimenti kollha li huma responsabbli mill-infurzar tal-ligijiet u b’rizultat tal-informazzjoni miksuba ser jittiehdu l-passi kollha, b’zieda ma’ dawk li diga ttiehdu, biex il-kummerc abbuziv kollu li qed jirrizulta jkun imrazzan. Mhux l-ghan tal-gvern li b’xi mod jindahal fil-moviment hieles tal-merca skond ir-regoli tal-Unjoni Ewropeja izda ser jittiehdu l-passi kollha ta’ infurzar biex ikun assigurat li il-kummercjant jkun protett mill-kompetizzjoni illicita.

Il-GRTU assigurat lil awtoritajiet mill-ko-operazzjoni taghha ghax mir-rizultat ta’ survey li l-GRTU ghadha kemm ghamlet fost in-negozjanti membri tal-GRTU hareg li din tal-kompetizzjoni ngusta minn prodotti li jidhlu Malta bla hlas ta’ taxxi u x’obligazzjonijiet ohra hi wahda mill-problemi kbar li minnha qed ibatu numru kbir ta’ traders u retailers.

Delegazzjoni tal-GRTU – Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji – iltaqghet mal-Ministeru tal-Industrija, Investiment u Teknologija tal-Informatika biex tkun taf aktar dwar il-progett SmartCity @ Malta.

Fid-delegazzjoni tal-GRTU kien hemm rapprezentanti mis-settur IT, tat-Turizmu, tal-Kuntratturi u Developers u tad-direzzjoni generali tal-GRTU mmexxija mill-President Paul Abela u id-Direttur Generali Vincent Farrugia. Il-prezentazzjoni f’isem il-Ministeru saret minn Claudio Grech il-Kap tas-Segretarjat tal-Ministeri u l-ufficjal inkarigat mill-progett ta’ SmartCity

Delegazzjoni tal-GRTU – Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji – iltaqghet mal-Ministeru tal-Industrija, Investiment u Teknologija tal-Informatika biex tkun taf aktar dwar il-progett SmartCity @ Malta.

Fid-delegazzjoni tal-GRTU kien hemm rapprezentanti mis-settur IT, tat-Turizmu, tal-Kuntratturi u Developers u tad-direzzjoni generali tal-GRTU mmexxija mill-President Paul Abela u id-Direttur Generali Vincent Farrugia. Il-prezentazzjoni f’isem il-Ministeru saret minn Claudio Grech il-Kap tas-Segretarjat tal-Ministeri u l-ufficjal inkarigat mill-progett ta’ SmartCity.

Il-GRTU inghatat informazzjoni dwar id-dimensjoni tal-progett u it-time frames li fihom irid isir ix-xoghol. Inghatat informazzjoni wkoll ta’ x’tip ta’ xoghol u investiment ser ikun permezz fuq it-teritorju li ser jinghata lil investituri minn Dubai. Il-GRTU kienet assigurata li l-progett huwa primarjament marbut mal-izvilupp u t-thaddim ta’ ICT u Media zone kompleta u tal-ghola livell u li l-ghan hu li l-ambjent taz-zona li fih ser ikun zviluppat dan il-progett ikun imhares u jsir thaddim tal-aktar sistemi li huma environment-friendly u li kull investiment iehor li jsir bhal hotel, postijiet tal-akkomodazzjoni, hwienet u facilitajiet ta’ catering jkunu biss ancillary u biex jaqdu l-htigijiet tal-belt li ser tinholoq. Il-Ministeru assigura lil GRTU li zgur mhux l-intenzjoni li jsir sempliciment progett iehor ta’ zvilupp ta’ apartamenti, hwienet, bars u restoranti bhal ma sar band’ohra. L-ghan hu li jinholoq ‘cluster’ ta’ stabilimenti marbuta mal-funzjoni ewlenija ta’ ICT u Media enterprises izda li jkollhom ghad-disposizzjoni taghhom, u b’mod efficjenti, is-servizzi l-ohra kollha li jinhtiegu.

Il-GRTU esprimiet is-sodisfazzjoni taghha li l-Ministeru ha din l-inizjattiva hekk importanti li jgib lejn Malta l-ewwel progett ta’ dan it-tip fiz-zona tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Huma bosta l-pajjizi kompetituri ta’ Malta li qed jippruvaw jgibu f’pajjizna dan il-kuncett li hadem sewwa f’Dubai u fil-postijiet l-ohra fejn l-istess investituri hadmu fuq l-istess tip ta’ progett. Il-holqien ta’ zona gdida bhal din flimkien mal-holqien ta’ 5, 600 post gdid ta’ xoghol b’65% minnhom fis-snajja tal-IT hu ferm importanti ghal Malta. Il-GRTU ghalhekk accettat li tifli aktar fid-dettal il-proposti li saru u taghti r-reazzjoni tal-imsiehba tal-GRTU fi zmien qasir. Iz-zewg partijiet qablu wkoll li jkomplu bil-process ta’ ko-operazzjoni biex ikun zgurat li l-progett isir skond iz-zmien ippjanat u f’kuntest fejn il-progett isir b’rabta mal-htigijiet u l-aspirazzjonijiet ta’ investituri Maltin f’oqsma li ikunu marbuta max-xoghol u t-thaddim ta’ Smart City @ Malta

GRTU insists that conducting a study on the operations of Electricity charges and purchasing policies is desirable but not enough. What is of utmost important is that Government acts now decisively and withdraw the Electricity and Water Surcharge. As a minimum government should withdraw the last increases in the Electricity and Water Surcharge. GRTU contends that these increases are unjustified and the result of indecision and incompetence of the authorities responsible for the protection of the public interest. SME’s and householders should therefore not be further burdened with these unjust increases.

GRTU insists that conducting a study on the operations of Electricity charges and purchasing policies is desirable but not enough. What is of utmost important is that Government acts now decisively and withdraw the Electricity and Water Surcharge. As a minimum government should withdraw the last increases in the Electricity and Water Surcharge. GRTU contends that these increases are unjustified and the result of indecision and incompetence of the authorities responsible for the protection of the public interest. SME’s and householders should therefore not be further burdened with these unjust increases.

GRTU warned government strongly when the first surcharge was introduced that unless the price at which Fuel Oil (fuel for the Marsa Power Station) and of Gas Oil (fuel for the Dellimara Power Station) was taken as a bench mark and Enemalta purchased fuels on dates when the price (Mediterranean Platts) of these fuels was below or at par with this benchmark the surcharge would have to be increased again to the detriment of the public.

In spite of GRTU’s warning government did not heed this advise with the consequence that again the Surcharge had to be greatly increased last October. Again GRTU in November refused to have anything to do with the scheme proposed by Government. GRTU objected and continue to object to the discriminatory capping mechanism and to the hefty increase in the Water and Electricity GRTU is moving ahead with a strong complaint with the EU Commission on these issues as GRTU believes that Maltese SME’s and the public in general is not being protected by the Public Regulator and by Government.

At the MCESD Meeting that discussed the Surcharge last November again GRTU warned government that unless the Price Mediterranean Platts on which the Surcharge was based was taken as a benchmark and Enemalta purchased enough quantities of fuels to sustain the power stations whenever the price was below this benchmark, the Surcharge would again have to be increased.

It is completely unacceptable to GRTU that after this second warning Enemalta again did not purchase fuels when the price Mediterranean Platts fell below the Surcharge Benchmark even when in November and December the price fell below the Benchmark sufficiently to ensure a reduction in the Surcharge.

The increase that was instead imposed on SME’s and Householders in the Electricity and Water Surcharge and that SME’s and households now have to suffer is not justified. GRTU contends that studies are not enough. The increase in the Surcharge has to be withdrawn prior to the issue of the next Electricity Bills. Government should also reduce the Surcharge on the Bills for water consumption. The reason is obvious: only 23% of the full surcharge should be included in the surcharge on water bills as only this ratio reflects the true costs to Malta Water Corporation for increased electricity costs.

With a reduced Surcharge on Electricity and Water SME’s and Householders will buffer the burden of the exaggerated Water and Electricity Surcharge.

The least SME’s and the public expect is that additional costs due to inefficiency and indecisions by the authorities is withdrawn without further delay.

(see attached the GRTU’s arguments sustaining its complaints to the EU Commission)

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji f’isem l-Host Families li fil-maggoranza taghhom huma msiehba fil-GRTU illum waslet fi ftehim mall-Ministru tal-Finanzi rapprezentat mis-Segretarju Parlamentari l-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech biex tkun solvuta l-kwistjoni li kienet inholqot dwar it-taxxa dovuta duq dhul li jsir mill-Host Families li jzommu studenti barranin li jigu Malta biex jitghallmu l-lingwa Ingliza.

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji f’isem l-Host Families li fil-maggoranza taghhom huma msiehba fil-GRTU illum waslet fi ftehim mall-Ministru tal-Finanzi rapprezentat mis-Segretarju Parlamentari l-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech biex tkun solvuta l-kwistjoni li kienet inholqot dwar it-taxxa dovuta duq dhul li jsir mill-Host Families li jzommu studenti barranin li jigu Malta biex jitghallmu l-lingwa Ingliza.

B’dan il-ftehim il-gvern accetta l-principju li jkun hemm tax free threshold li jaghmel tajjeb ghall-home sharing expenses kif ukoll livell accettabbli ta’ spejjez ohra li jinqatghu qabel ma jkun indikat id-dhul taxxabbli.

B’dan l-arrangament issa l-Host Families jistghu jserhu rashom li s-servizz taghhom qed ikun rikonoxxut bhala servizz specjali u mixtieq filwaqt li t-taxxa tahdem biss fuq dak l-ammont li ragonevolment hu accettat bhala dhul addizjonali.

B’dan l-arrangament l-GRTU qed tirtira l-parir li tghat lil Host Families biex ma jintrabtux b’bookings godda u issa l-GRTU qed tinkoraggixxi l-Host Families biex jestendu l-bookings ghall-istagun li gej.

Il-GRTU ser tlaqqa lil Host Families il-gimgha id-diehla biex tispjegalhom id-dettalji tal-ftehim u tisgura l-approvazzjoni tal-Host Families ghall-dan l-ftehim

Il-GRTU tirraprezenta l-akbar numru ta’ intraprizi u negozji zghar u self-employed fejn l-aktar hemm numru kbir ta’ nisa jahdmu. Huma hafna n-nisa li llum jahdmu jew bhala sidien, managers jew bhala mpjegati fis-setturi tal-kummerc, tas-servizzi u f’negozji ta’ crafts u fornituri ohra, filwaqt li numbru kbir ta’ nisa ghalkemm mhux direttament impjegati huma ta’ sostenn kontinwu u necessarju ghall-intraprizi privati tal-familji

Il-GRTU tirraprezenta l-akbar numru ta’ intraprizi u negozji zghar u self-employed fejn l-aktar hemm numru kbir ta’ nisa jahdmu. Huma hafna n-nisa li llum jahdmu jew bhala sidien, managers jew bhala mpjegati fis-setturi tal-kummerc, tas-servizzi u f’negozji ta’ crafts u fornituri ohra, filwaqt li numbru kbir ta’ nisa ghalkemm mhux direttament impjegati huma ta’ sostenn kontinwu u necessarju ghall-intraprizi privati tal-familji.

Sfortunatament izda m’hemm l-ebda policy ta’ l-ebda awtorita’, lanqas ta’ dawk li huma specifikament inkarigati biex iharsu l-avvanz tal-mara fis-socjeta m’huma intizi b’mod partikolari ghal dawn is-setturi. Dan wara li l-GRTU f’kull opportunita tfakkar li eluf kbar ta’ nisa la jahdmu mall-gvern, la fil-fabbriki, la fil-lukandi u lanqas fil-korporazzjonijiet il-kbar li ghalihom qieshom li jitfasslu l-ligijiet u l-iskemi.

Il-GRTU din is-sena ghazlet bhala tema specjali “ 2006 trid tkun sena li taghmel id-differenza ghan-negozji z-zghar Maltin” u din tghodd ukoll ghall-avvanz u l-interess tan-nisa fis-setturi rapprezentati mill-GRTU. Il-GRTU tappella li din is-sena l-awtoritajiet jaghtu kaz b’mod specjali ghall-problemi kbar li jiffacjaw in-nisa self-employed u sidien u managers ta’ negozji u intraprizi u l-eluf ta’ nisa impjegati li jahdmu fis-settur kummercjali u tas-servizzi. Il-GRTU hi kommessa li taghti s-sapport shih taghha ghal kull inizjattiva li tghin biex dan is-settur jkun ta’ aktar sostenn ghan-nisa impjegati f’dawn is-setturi.

Your Excellency, Hon Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Shadow Ministers, ladies and gentlemen Good Morning.

In nightlife we say ‘What’s so good about the morning?’ and I thank those who, like myself, are dedicating a lump amount of your sleeping time to this morning’s venue. The revival of Paceville is directly important to us, but also to many small and larger businesses who supply our area with their goods and services.

26 years ago when I started operating in the area there were only some six establishments, a few major hotels including the Sheraton and the Hilton, a Casino and a number of holiday apartments, the majority of which were frequented by the prevailing British services occupying this geographical zone at the time. This was the birth of the zone we now know as Paceville – a zone which offered relaxation and entertainment to the then resident and visiting British community.

Today, the St. Julians area has about 250 entertainment outlets inclusive of wine and spirit bars, catering establishments, from take-aways to restaurants offering local and international cuisine, discothèques, coffee shops, karaoke bars, jazz bars, salsa bars, late night bars equipped with the most sophisticated technology. It also has shopping areas, a yacht marina, cinemas, bowling alley as well as a range of hotels including the top classified on the island.
How much investment are we talking about? By comparison… We estimate that the private investment made in the area over the last ten to fifteen years is more than Enemalta’s total book value (end 2004), or if you prefer; more than two Smart-city equivalents; more than twice the book value of Airmalta (end 2004); and much more than that being made by Government in the new hospital!

[Paceville the meeting point]

All this investment provides a multitude of diverse outlets making Paceville the 24 hour zone of Malta attracting tourists and local population of different ages and cultural backgrounds. This has developed Paceville into the meeting point for the Maltese with the tourist community, during day and night, but perhaps we associate Paceville more with nightlife activities.

Nightlife is a good barometer of what is happening in Maltese society such as economic, political and social patterns; as much as an indicator of the volumes, quality and seasonal patterns of tourist inflows. What these indicators are showing is not pleasing, at all!

[The downward trend]

I have seen the business pattern of Paceville fluctuating over the long years that I’ve dedicated to this entertainment area. However, the downward trend we have been experiencing over the last four years has never been so drastic and difficult in its history unfortunately. This can be testified by local operators present in this audience.

This is happening concurrently when our operating costs have been inflated sky high. It is fair to say that this pattern is not an experience exclusive to Paceville but is also a general pattern that extends to other entertainment areas on our islands such as Bugibba, Marsascala and Gozo.

Of course there are pockets in our leisure economy that may not be included in this pattern since there are establishments which, for one or more reasons, seem to be immune to this downward trend. However this is a small minority. The majority is bleeding profusely.

Like with all other investments, shareholders, management and the banks, want to see a return on capital employed. This requires us all to do what is strategically right, even if it may not be immediately profitable.

[The economy]

I believe that this situation has evolved out of a number of reasons. However, the irrefutable reasons are two: our sharp seasonal fluctuations coupled with lower volumes in tourism, which has resulted in an uneven distributed occupancy rate, and, two; the lack of local consumers’ confidence and their lack of disposable income due to the overall static economic situation and rising cost of living.

Other reasons have contributed to both and I will mention just a few:

[The Smoking ban]

The smoking ban also had its effect, which though we believe is positive from a health point of view had negative effects on the entertainment structures in our community as it changed the dynamics of how business is done in this area.

[The opening of discounting bars]

On top of it, the opening of bottle shops doing business as bottle bars and the hefty discounting and special offers has certainly not been a bonus to the sustainability of the area. It has also resulted in attracting a younger generation of consumers to the area with less spending potential which gives a misperception that the area is attracting a very young and boisterous market. This, in my view, has deterred the frequency of visits of the real market that matters to Paceville, the market that has spending power which frequented the various outlets of the neighbourhood and which allowed a level playing field to all alike in Paceville.

[A structural approach for the future]

Well, I don’t want to be boring and keep on nagging on the unfortunate results we are drenched in. We live and survive in a dynamic sector and we know that given the necessary political and economic will to support us, we are able to pull ourselves out of this drench.

So I will immediately delve briefly into a few issues that I am sure will help us move ahead and turn our situation into an economically viable one for all alike, as tenders of Paceville outlets. We have to identify the means of harmonization and market regeneration of this major entertainment zone which is our bread and butter and of hundreds that work in the area or related sectors.

Security in Paceville

We all believe in the security offered to Paceville and the sterling work that the Police force provides. However, this is not a militant base but an entertainment area and therefore it does not warrant a militant welcome at the forefront access of the area. We believe that the Police Force should position themselves in strategic locations but not be in full force the welcome hosts of Paceville.

Opening hours

The police force, by the authority convened to them by the prevailing legislation, enforce that outlets have to switch off music by 4 o’clock, even in sound-proof establishments. Unfortunately this law is not evenly enforced, which results in unfair competition in the market. Moreover, we maintain that the previous time of a 6 o’clock music phase off should be re-introduced and this is being lobbied with the local authorities by GRTU on our behalf.

Curfew of underage youths

The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to minors. However, it does not address its distribution resulting in abundant examples of alcohol abuse by minors on our streets leading to more notorious gossip and the degenerating ambience of Paceville. This regulatory system is too frail and it is not rendering objective results. GRTU is continuing to lobby for the curfew of underage youths in the area.

Inspections by the Police

Again, while we appreciate the work of the Police, prudence and a degree of proportionality are crucial when enforcing the law within our establishments. For example inspections/offences relating to nicotine are minor compared to incidents of violence or drug abuse which may occasionally prevail in the area.

Rendering our streets more civic

Drinking from glass containers is illegal whereas from plastic it isn’t. This measure defeated the whole scope of trying to render our streets more civic and concentrate drinking to the establishment confines. Legislation in this respect needs to be amended if we are to realistically implement our initiatives and enhance the viability of our investments.

Appropriate street signage

As you are all aware, there are a number of varied outlets in every street of Paceville. The importance of appropriate signage which clearly indicates the establishments and entertainment offered in the different streets is growing and I believe we should implement it without further delay.

Refuse collection

Refuse collection is presently done by a number of private collectors in the area which may come at different times. We believe that for hygienic and logistic reasons, the system should be centralized. This may even be more economical.

Parking
Parking has always been a handicap in Paceville although it is fair to say that more parking areas have been created especially through Pender Place, athough we are all aware that it’s fate is ambiguous at best.
The introduction of the Paceville residents’ parking scheme is against GRTU’s proposals as it has given residents priority over entrepreneurs in this area which in itself is limiting parking space in the centre of the Paceville and St. Julian’s area.

Innovation

It is essential that we maintain diversity which may be both cultural and economically enriching. We should therefore be more innovative in our business ideas and continue to create more themed novelties instead of the copy-cat syndrome taking into consideration the multi-diversity of clients the area attracts.

Policy Makers Listen

The Maltese entrepreneur/investor has confidence in the potential of the Paceville economy and this is reflected in the hundreds of millions that are invested in the area. We therefore urge politicians and policy makers to take head of our ailments, ideas, proposals, and enthusiasm to help us bring Paceville back on its feet.

(administration of the area)
These are only a few of the issues that we are facing at present.

We believe that it is high time to set up a single point of contact (SPC) through which we can channel all our day to day issues to the respective authorities. This was on our agenda a few years back and needs to be re-activated and brought to life now. Such an administrative body would save a lot of time and frustration, and be more effective, rather than having me running and calling from one authority to the other, even if I have always done this whole heartedly.

May I take this opportunity to thank the authorities concerned for the project undertaken two years ago to embellish the area. I believe that this positive move should be maintained by regular upkeep of the whole zone and a maintenance plan needs to be adopted for the short and long term. There is so much that can be done to upgrade the general and common infrastructure.

[Sustainability]

Earlier on I mentioned that what the indicators are showing is not pleasing at all – Highly seasonal and lower tourist inflows and low spending power by the locals.

These issues crystallize the root of the state of affairs in Paceville and the urgent need of a continuous and increased flow of locals as well as tourists.

I strongly believe that if our area is better managed and we create some novelty to our business, instead of copy-cat strategies and price wars, we will succeed in attracting the locals to the area. But we have always known that the local market is not enough to sustain us. We are geared for higher volumes and therefore the flow of tourists needed to be ensured before and more so now, that the supply side is growing in all areas of the leisure industry while demand remains sluggish. So, while the supply and demand gap is widening, our operational costs have rocketed with energy and water bills that have been increased by more than 17 times the rate of inflation. (and by 20 times by year end)

Increasing the number of tourists

A constant flow of tourists and the smoothing off of seasonality is essential to start to counterbalance these effects. Presently tour operators to Malta are downsizing their operations, or worse still pulling out. It is crucial to do our utmost to keep the tour operators from abandoning Malta. AirMalta’s restructuring is very important for it to retain its position in the market or to re-position itself and to be competitive in the airline cut-throat business.
But we cannot ignore or even neglect the potential new growth in our tourism numbers generated by low cost airlines. Every new business entry calls for re-positioning by other players in the same market, but not exit. The Low Cost Airline issue is now long overdue and we cannot leave them out. This reminds me of when we were afraid of computers because they will take our jobs and therefore we delayed their entry. We know much much better today as Malta has become a major ICT hub because we embraced and exploited the technology and our systems to our advantage.

GRTU is lobbying strongly for Government to facilitate the introduction of major Low Cost Airlines to Malta. This will aide not only Paceville but the Maltese economy in its entirety.

This has been brief, but I believe it provides some ground for our way ahead. Paceville merits once more to become Malta’s central-hub of entertainment, buzzing with energy and activities. Our capital investment is there, Government needs to listen to us more and decide where necessary and as necessary – we need to trust in our future and invest more effort into making it happen! It can happen!

THANK YOU