Category: Press Releases

Employers’ Associations within MCESD – the Malta Employers, the Malta Chamber, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, and the Malta Chamber of SMSs – call for immediate withdrawal of ARUC sponsorship of children’s football programme.

The employers’ associations within MCESD strongly condemn the decision to associate a children’s football programme with the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis.

This is a serious error of judgment. Children’s sport must represent discipline, health, self-control, ambition and clean living. It must never, under any circumstances, be linked to cannabis or to any authority associated with its use.

Whether direct or indirect, the message is wrong, confusing and unacceptable. No social objective can justify blurring the line between youth development and substances that should never be normalized in the minds of children. Sport must inspire young people to choose healthy lifestyles, not create associations that risk weakening that message.

For years, society worked hard to remove cigarettes and alcohol from sport because the principle was clear: harmful substances have no place in an environment meant to shape children’s values and aspirations. The same principle must apply here. There can be no double standards. Cannabis is not a symbol of health, discipline or performance. Football is. The two should never be placed in the same space, especially where children are involved.

This sponsorship should be dismantled immediately and replaced by support from entities that reflect the true values of youth sport and responsible social leadership. Children deserve better. Parents deserve clarity. Sport deserves to remain clean.

Feedback received so far by the Malta Chamber of SMEs on this year’s Black Friday indicates a positive outcome, with results comparable to last year’s performance. While several businesses recorded similar results or a slight increase over the previous year, a few experienced a slight decline. Performance also varied by location, with some areas facing particular challenges.

Weather conditions affected customer turnout in certain localities; however, the month-long promotions and busniesses that offered products or services online saw steady sales despite the bad weather. Meanwhile, shopping malls across Malta and Gozo experienced strong footfall and steady sales.

Sectors traditionally associated with Black Friday, such as electronics, white goods, and homeware, along with those that invested in marketing campaigns, reported a positive performance.

Many businesses are now looking ahead to Saturday and Sunday, with most stores expected to maintain their Black Friday offers.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes the positive news that direct flights between Malta International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport will commence in June, operated by Delta Air Lines.

This is a major development for Malta and its international connectivity. The United States remains an important market from which Malta can continue to benefit, both in tourism and business opportunities.

The SME Chamber congratulates Hon. Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Malta Tourism Authority CEO Mr. Carlo Micallef, Malta Tourism Authority Deputy CEO amd Chief Officer Strategy Mr Leslie Vella and all stakeholders involved in successfully securing this highly significant route.

The SME Chamber hopes that this new route marks the beginning of a series of successes for the future of Malta’s tourism sector. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Ministry and the MTA to further strengthen the sector.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has expressed its support for the affordable housing initiative jointly launched by the Government and the Church, following a detailed review that addressed initial concerns raised by the SME Chamber.

Although The SME Chamber acknowledges the existing gap in the market present when it comes to enabling lower-middle-income families to become homeowners, the Malta Chamber of SMEs had initially raised concerns that this scheme might open room for potential abuse, inefficiencies or free market interference.

To address these concerns, the SME Chamber held separate meetings with the Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Hon. Rodrick Galdes, as well as with the Foundation for Affordable Housing.

Following these discussions, the SME Chamber was given the necessary assurance that the governance aspect as well as market stability will be maintained through a fair and transparent mechanism, implemented to manage the scheme to minimise concerns raised.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs therefore supports the initiative and encourages the continued implementation of strict safeguards and transparency to ensure the intended households benefit fully from the scheme. The SME Chamber will continue holding discussions with the necessary stakeholders to ensure that the scheme remains aligned with its objectives, maintains transparency, and effectively addresses the needs of lower-middle-income families.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs, representing private education institutions licensed by MFHEA, is deeply concerned by the developments surrounding the International European University, Ukraine Malta Campus (IEU) case. While the situation is most unfortunate for the students directly affected, it also casts a shadow over the reputation of other legitimate private institutions that work tirelessly to deliver quality education.

The SME Chamber stresses that immediate action must be taken to protect students’ interests. Government should step in to ensure that affected students are given every possible support and facilitated in finding alternative pathways to continue their studies without further disruption and to ensure that the VISA Unit co-ordinates with MFHEA directly to offer these students an alternative. This is essential not only to safeguard students but also to safeguard the credibility of the wider private education sector in Malta.

At the same time, institutions found to be operating irresponsibly, irrespective of their license status, must be held accountable. The Malta Chamber of SMEs also notes that even though the license granted was temporary due to current events, had all aspects of Quality Assurance which would normally be necessary for granting a permanent license been carried out immediately upon licensing, this unfortunate situation could have been avoided. This incident highlights the need for the Authority to adopt a more risk-based approach to supervise, monitor and audit institutions. This approach should ensure that sufficient resources are available and are dedicated to provide appropriate review and supervision to those institutions that require greater scrutiny.

It is becoming imperative that the government works together with private education providers to cultivate an educational ecosystem that delivers excellence and focuses on quality.

The SME Chamber reiterates that the majority of private education providers in Malta operate to high standards and contribute positively to the country’s educational landscape. The current situation should not be allowed to damage the hard-earned reputation of these institutions

The Childcare Centre Providers Association (CCPA) together with the Malta Chamber of SMEs, representing more than 80% of Malta’s childcare centre operators, voice their concerns over delays in negotiations surrounding the new service agreement, which expired last December.

A new agreement, initially expected to be finalised by end of December, has yet to materialise —prompting frustration and concern within the sector.

Speaking on behalf of the association, President Simon Zammit stressed that childcare providers urgently require an updated agreement to sustain the service and quality offered within childcare centres to align with the overall education ecosystem. “Unfortunately, although discussions with the government have been initiated, no concrete proposals have been presented on the table,” he said.

Malta Chamber of SMEs, echoes CCPA’s concerns, noting the lack of progress. The discussion is far from having the momentum it needs.

Although both CCPA and the SME Chamber have been given the re-assurance that this agreement is a top priority for the government, actions are falling short of this promise.

CCPA and the SME Chamber continue to support Free Childcare, with Quality and Standards remaining the top most priority. The current service agreement, however, does not ensure sustainability within this important sector. Childcare providers play a vital role in Malta’s social and economic framework by enabling parents to contribute to the workforce. This is an essential service that must be supported appropriately and sustainably.

The CCPA and Malta Chamber of SMEs remain open to dialogue and urge the Government to act with urgency to reach a fair and sustainable agreement for the sector.