Category: Archive – 2013

In July 2013
Government launched a public consultation on the Programming of European Funds
for Malta 2014-2020. The basis of this consultation is a document outlining
Government's vision and the Maltese and EU priorities on which the funds will
be spent. GRTU held a consultation meeting for members in order to explain to
them what was Government proposing and gather their feedback on what funds they
feel they need to help the country reach the objectives outlined.

GRTU President Paul Abela
opened the meeting by stating that GRTU was already involved in discussions on
the subject with the Deputy Prime Minister Mr Louis Grech and the Parliamentary
Secretary for EU funds Dr. Ian Borg. Mr Abela emphasised that the consultation
stage is very important as after this stage Government will finalise a
document, which is agreed with the European Commission, detailing how it
intends to spend the €1.1B If
someone or something is left out it will be very difficult to have it included
at a later stage as it will be a closed deal.

GRTU's EU Desk explained that the
funds will be focused on five key areas of investment namely: education, the
environment, the private sector, healthcare facilities and social inclusion.
The vision is divided in three funding priorities covering eleven so-called
thematic objectives. A detailed presentation outlining each thematic objective
was delivered and a fruitful discussion was held.

From the
discussion the following points came out:

While the funds
have a national scope Government will seek the involvement of the private
sector. Therefore each company needs to think how it can contribute the making
the vision a reality and what help and support would be needed to do this.

Access to finance
for the private sector should be made available through a mix of financial
instruments including grants, loan guarantees, loans with an advantageous
interest rate, etc…

Grants to buy
machinery are important

Malta
Enterprise needs more skills to be in a better position to understand and help
the private sector

Importance of
assistance for e-commerce, similar to a scheme that was in place, as well as
assistance to export and internationalise and to train workers and employ
highly skilled individuals to be more competitive, especially when compared to
the expertise of foreign companies

Basic aid
schemes such as the Employment Aid Programme and the Training Aid Framework
need to be made available on a constant basis because businesses cannot be expected
to time their employment and training needs to when schemes are made available.
In addition to this pre-financing is also something that would encourage
businesses to make use of schemes as there were a lot of issues with the
previous method of reimbursement.

Assistance for
restructuring and upgrading in line with the required standards and regulations
is required. Certain sectors are required by law to upgrade their machinery
which involves a heavy expense; therefore assistance in this regard is needed.

Parking was
another main issue which could be addressed with the help of funds. Retailers
complained with the current parking situation. This problem however could be
mitigated, according to the vision outlined by Government, through alternative
transport means including sea transport and also investment in infrastructure
and facilities.

Support for
investment for the general upgrade within industrial areas and factories as
currently some factories are operating in sub-standard situations and the
investment required is significant.

Guarantees
given by Government need to be recognised by the banks as many businesses find
problems in making use of such incentives when dealing with the banks.

Increase in
Vocational Education and Training which focuses on skills and addresses
individuals finding difficulty to fit in the current educational framework.

Upgrade of
stores for the importation and distribution sectors.

Funds should be
allocated for the set-up of alternative means of transport to the only one
currently available which is used for freight forwarding.

Investments by
the private sector in anything having to do with energy efficiency, cleaner
energy and finding alternative energy sources is encouraged and specific
request for assistance should be made by the private sector in this regard.

Certain sectors
such as the suppliers of energy efficient equipment depend on the issuance of
schemes and therefore these should be made available at periodic intervals in a
way as to keep the sector active throughout the funding period and not issue
multiple schemes in a very short timeframe as was the case in recent years.

Support for
research related to energy, climate change and the environment.

Aid to
enterprises investing in empty buildings to convert them into saleable housing
or an enterprise that can generate employment within the locality and therefore
reducing the problem of congestion in the centres.

Better support
when applying for funds and filling in applications and further dissemination
activities and campaigns when a scheme is issued.

Job creation is
another priority therefore businesses should present ideas on the support they
would need to generate jobs.

More incentives
and assistance for start-ups and helping an individual who has an idea to
convert it into a business.

GRTU will be presenting a document
outlining its priorities and that of its members for funding under the 2014 –
2020 period. Individuals having ideas are encouraged to inform GRTU so as to
have them included in GRTU's proposals.

The public consultation closes on 6^th September 2013,
by which feedback can be sent directly to and to GRTU on .

As you may have
heard, Israel has been chosen as the next Mission for Growth destination. The
Mission is planned for the 21-23 of October 2013. It will be held in
conjunction to the WATEC 2013 conference and exhibition which focuses on water
and environmental technologies. The mission however will include other sectors
as well:

Water Technologies

Home land security

Raw materials

Automotive Industry

Processed agricultural products

Environmental Technologies

Information & Communication

Fashion and High-End products

Venture Capital

Space Technologies

 

If
you are interested, you can also register at: http://www.b2match.eu/m4g-israel

until
30th August 2013.

 

More details may be found
on: 

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/initiatives/mission-growth/missions-for-growth/antonio-tajani/middle-east/israel/index_en.htm

 
L-Implimentazzjoni ta' Standards  godda fis-swieq tal-frott u haxix frisk – Il-Malta-EU
Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) flimkien mal-Ministeru għall-Iżvilupp
Sostenibbli, l-Ambjent u Tibdil fil-Klima (MSDEC) se jorganizza laqgħa ta'
konsultazzjoni dwar l-Implimentazzjoni ta' Standards Ġodda fis-swieq tal-frott
u l-ħaxix frisk.

Dawn l-istandards għandhom jipproteġu l-interessi
tal-konsumatur li għandu d-dritt li jirċievi informazzjoni adekwata u
trasparenti dwar il-prodotti.

Data:
30 ta' Awwissu 2013

Hin:  fl-4 ta' wara nofsinhar

Lokazzjoni:
fis-Sala tal-Kunsill Lokali tan-Naxxar, In-Naxxar.

 

Biex
tirreġistra,ibat e-mail bid-dettalji tighek lill-MEUSAC sa mhux aktar tard minn
nofsinhar tal-Ħamis, 29 ta' Awwissu 2013 fuq l-indirizz elettroniku .

EU Funding for Malta 2014- 2020 at GRTU Offices & Being SEPA ready at Dar l-Ewropa Valletta

 

Date:           29.08.13

Time:           14.00
– 16.00

Location:      GRTU, Triq ir-Repubblika,

                   Valletta

 

Being SEPA ready

 

Date:           12.09.13

Time:           14.30-16.00

Location:      Dar
l-Ewrope, 254, St Paul's Street

                   Valletta-VLT
1215

GDP rose by
0.3% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27 during the second quarter of
2013, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates2
published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the
first quarter of 2013, growth rates were -0.3% and -0.1% respectively.

Compared
with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP fell by
0.7% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27 in the second quarter of 2013,
after -1.1% and -0.7% respectively in the previous quarter.

In light
of these and other recent indicators, Vice-President Rehn has made the
following comments: "Today's figures, when combined with other recent
positive survey data are encouraging and suggest the European economy is
gradually gaining momentum. They support the European Commission's 2013 spring
forecast and its projections for a subdued, mild recovery in the second half of
2013. The data also supports, in my view, the fundamentals of our crisis
response: a policy mix where building a stability culture and pursuing
structural reforms supportive of growth and jobs go hand in hand. This slightly
more positive data is welcome – but there is no room for any complacency.
Self-congratulatory statements

The European
Commission (EC) will not impose preliminary anti-subsidy duties on China-made
solar products but will continue its investigation for another four months.

The European
Union (EU) launched its anti-subsidy investigation on solar equipment coming
from China in November 2012, responding to a industry complaints, and had nine
months to decide whether to impose any tariffs. According to its new decision,
it has given itself a deadline until December 5 to assess both the anti-dumping
and anti-subsidy cases and consider any definitive duties.

The news
follows an agreement from the end of July to settle the solar dispute between
China and the EU with a price undertaking deal, under which China-made solar
equipment will be sold in the EU above fixed floor prices. The companies that
accept such minimum prices will not be subject to any anti-dumping levies.
Chinese solar exporters that do not participate in the price undertaking will
face preliminary punitive tariffs of between 37.2% and 67.9%, as announced in
June.

The EC said it
is ready to include the anti-subsidy investigation into the undertaking at the
definitive stage, "should such action be warranted".

Meanwhile, the
European Comission (EC) is conducting an independent anti-dumping and
anti-subsidy probe into Chinese solar glass, used for the production of solar
panels.

Commissioner
for Children Helen d'Amato's proposal to raise the drinking age from 17 to 18
has been met with a mixed reaction by owners of bars and places of
entertainment, according to GRTU vice-president Philip Fenech.

Ms
D'Amato's proposal was one of several proposed amendments to laws concerning
issues falling under her remit in a memorandum sent to the Justice Reform
Commission.

National
anti-dependency agency Sedqa similarly believes that the minimum drinking age
should be raised by one year. But representatives of the leisure industry are
divided, according to Mr Fenech, who heads the GRTU's hospitality and leisure
division.

"Personally,
I believe that it should go up to 18, as this will end the disparity between
Malta and other countries within the EU, where the drinking age is mainly 18,"
Mr Fenech told The Malta Independent.

"I also
believe that this will raise standards in the industry," he said, later adding
that one had to be mature to drink alcohol.

But he
emphasises that this is his personal opinion, and not that of the GRTU, where
reactions to the proposal vary, mainly according to the establishments'
clientele.

The
owners of establishments that catered for a younger generation, Mr Fenech said,
argued that raising the minimum drinking age would see them lose a big chunk of
their business – so much so, that even their sustainability would be
threatened.

On the
other hand, those whose establishments attracted an older crowd believed that
the measure would improve their business, pointing out that the presence of
younger people deterred older people from certain areas.

Others
still, whose establishments attracted a mix of younger and older people,
expressed similar concerns to those whose venues were geared towards younger
crowds.

The GRTU,
Mr Fenech said, is discussing the proposal, but given the divergent views, it
was too early for it to come up with a common stance.

GRTU strongly
object to the new imposition on public procurement as evidence in all public
tenders issued by the Contract Committee over the last several weeks, director
general Vince Farrugia said.

GRTU's
objections are based on two issues. Public procurement of goods and services
should aim at the procurement of most optimal quality of goods and services at
the best available, competitive prices. "This is the role of the National
Public Procurement Agency (the Contracts Committee). It is not the role of the
Public Procurement to be Czar for social justice enforcement, whether this
refers to employment conditions, environmental issues, health and safety and
any other enforcement whatsoever."                                         

There are other appropriately established public institutions directly
responsible for the enforcement of laws enforcing labour, health, safety,
environment, standard, and any other condition. The National Public Procurement
Agency should not be subjected to the inspectorate of other public sector
institution because of any clauses imposed on Public Procurement documents.

"The
Director of Employment Relations, for example, has enough legislation and
resources to ensure that all employers, and not just government contractors,
abide by Malta's high quality labour protection laws. There is nothing that
precludes the Director for Labour to act against any employer who has been
found to be in abuse of labour laws. But the Director for Labour should not
expect the National Public Procurement Agency to do his work for him. The
director for labour and his labour inspectorate should never be given power
over the execution of contracts worth millions if not tens or hundreds of
millions euros. When the National Public Procurement Agency "subcontracts" its
own enforcement powers to other institutions it allows public procurement to
become wide open for abuse, corruption and incompetence," Mr Farrugia said.

"Public
Procurement should be accessible to all who can compete. This is how the
private sector procurement is done and Public Procurement should follow the
efficiency of the Private Sector. There are firms who are competent
administratively and financially to bid for public contracts. These are
specialist contractors who are not necessarily big. There are other firms,
however, who prefer to specialize in supply of services and to operate as
sub-contractors to the former. It is fallacious for anyone to state that
contractors are more efficient and that they can provide a more cost effective
higher quality service if all specialists and workers are directly employed by
the Tendering Contractors. On the contrary there is ample evidence to prove
that most suppliers of specialize services, most times offer higher quality at
lesser cost and that they can attract and incentivize better quality specialist
and service providers than contractors with directly employed individual. It is
inconceivable that a national public procurement agency is denied the services
of miscellaneous specialists who prefer to work as sub-contractors."

"Malta
cannot and should not have Public Procurement that denies sub-contractors. It
is bad for public procurement. It is inefficient and opens wide the opportunity
for abuse. It loads the National Public Procurement Agency with unnecessary
bureaucracy. But most of all it is bad for small businesses. It represents the
greatest blow suffered by small business ever."

Following a commission communication published earlier this
year on the setting up of a European Retail Action Plan, GRTU has submitted a
detailed position paper on the subject to the Ministry for the Economy,
Investment and Small Businesses.

The Commission communication is a result of intensive
work at Brussels level which GRTU was also involved in especially as member of
EuroCommerce and the EESC.

It is a very important communication and a
significant step for retail to be given the importance it deserves. As Europe's biggest private sector employer, retail
has the potential to continue creating new jobs and wealth. The Commission's
Retail Market Monitoring Report (July 2010) recognised the positive role that
retail plays in Europe's economy and identified a number of issues that need to
be addressed in order to allow the sector to realise its full potential thus
contributing to further economic growth and job creation. The European
Parliament's own initiative report, "A more efficient and fairer retail market"
recognised the significance of the sector for jobs and growth and urged the
Commission and the sector to work together to develop an Action Plan to address
outstanding issues. More widely, the Monti report of May 2010 urged the Commission
to tackle remaining obstacles to the creation of a European digital market, to
accelerate infringement procedures, and to adopt better conformity checks.

Retail thrives in Europe, employing around 18 million
people across the EU and accounting for 4.2% of GDP. 20% of Europe's SMEs are
retailers. Retail efficiency keeps prices down for consumers and ensures
choice. However, although the sector is strong and competitive, it could grow
even further, employ more people and provide even better value for consumers if
certain issues were addressed.

GRTU mentioned areas which required improvement as
they still pose a significant obstacle to the expansion of retail. These
included:

–     The full
implementation of the Services Directive

–     Retailers
still do not enjoy full freedom to establish operations in other Member States

–     Europe lags
behind others in creating an efficient digital retail market

–    Retailers
are subject to ever increasing levels of regulation that increase their costs
and extend their liability

A summary of GRTU's reaction to the Communication can
be found below:

1.  Achieving a
single market in the distributive trades: GRTU welcomed the proposal to set up
a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness (involving Member States,
stakeholders and SMEs) to bring the problems besetting the sector to the fore
in European political debate, identify avenues for development, monitor
progress and prepare recommendations.

2.  Consumer
empowerment: An increase in available information does not equate to an increase
in knowledge, and in fact the opposite is often true. The Commission should
issue guidelines on how best to provide consumers with accessible information
on the features of their products, services and prices in a concise and easily
understandable form.

3.  Better access
to more sustainable and competitive retail services: Competition has forced
retail businesses to deliver better service and become more efficient. It is
imperative that the Commission distinguish between healthy competition between
similar businesses (which drives the pursuit of continual improvements in
quality and efficiency, in the interest of consumers) and other forms of
economic and commercial conflict between businesses.

4.  Developing a
more sustainable retail supply chain: GRTU supports the proposed action 6,
which is aimed at supporting retailers in implementing actions to reduce food
waste and welcomes the decision to adopt a communication on sustainable food in
2013. GRTU also supports action 7, which aims to "make supply chains more
environmentally-friendly and sustainable" by using every means possible to
cut back on energy use and the production of materials which are a source of
pollution.

5.  More
innovative solutions: Recovery in the real economy is partly dependent on innovation
in this sector (action 8) and it is crucial that SMEs have more and easier
access to bank loans so that they can begin innovative projects and activities.

6.  Better
working environment: Matching up skills is essential for improving the quality
of jobs in the sector, which often serves as the way into or back into the
labour market and is not generally seen as an attractive, interesting sector in
which to spend one's entire working life.