Malta Chamber of SMEs Unveils its 2026 Election Proposals: Putting SMEs at the Centre

As Malta prepares for the 2026 General Election, the Malta Chamber of SMEs officially unveiled its strategic manifesto, “SMEs at the Centre,” a comprehensive docuement featuring 33 targeted proposals designed to safeguard the backbone of the Maltese economy.

According to the latest SME Barometer (Q1 2026), the pressure on small businesses is reaching a tipping point. 41.8% of enterprises experience employee shortages as their biggest hurdle, while 21.5% are struggling against an increasingly un-level playing field caused by unfair competition.

While Malta’s economy has shown growth, the SME Barometer proves that success is no longer sufficient if it isn’t sustainable,” said Mr. Paul Abela, President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs. “The next phase of our national development must be built on productivity, fairness, and a genuine improvement in the quality of life, not just for the general public, but for the business owners who take the risks to keep this country running.”

The SME Chamber’s 33 proposals are built around the “Think Small First” principle, ensuring that policy is designed with the micro-enterprise in mind. Proposals include;

1. Tax Reform & The Level Playing Field The Chamber is calling for a long-overdue reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25% across the board. To encourage long-term stability, a 15% deferred tax rate is proposed for SMEs that choose to reinvest their profits back into the business rather than distributing them as dividends. This measure is specifically aimed at neutralizing the tax advantages currently enjoyed by foreign-owned entities.

2. Total removal of “Death Tax” (Succession Duty) and document duties on business transfers between family members. By treating the family as a single economic nucleus, the state can ensure that the transition of a business from one generation to the next is a moment of growth, not a financial crisis.

3. Modernizing the Legislative Framework Over-regulation remains a primary “hidden cost” for small businesses. The Chamber demands a Mandatory SME Test for all future legislation to prevent “one-size-fits-all” rules from stifling micro-enterprises. Additionally, the proposal includes removing the audit requirement for micro-businesses with a turnover of less than €250,000, drastically reducing administrative overheads.

4. The Malta Chamber of SMEs is also proposing to Encourage Capital Expenditure: With resident deposits reaching €27.4 billion in 2025, the SME Chamber is proposing a Business Investment Scheme. This would incentivise the general public to lend to local SMEs, turning passive savings into productive investment for the local economy.

5. Revolutionizing Energy Resilience With energy costs and sustainability at the forefront of global concerns, the Chamber is proposing a One-Stop-Shop for Renewable Energy (RES) Projects. This would consolidate the current fragmented approval process involving the PA, REWS, and Enemalta into a single, efficient entity. Furthermore, the SME Chamber is advocating for Strengthened Public-Private Partnerships to unlock large-scale renewable energy opportunities that individual SMEs cannot reach alone, alongside targeted grants for battery storage and smart energy technologies.

6. A Future-Proof Workforce and a Stronger Gozo Beyond a “One-Stop Shop” for Third Country National (TCN) recruitment, the SME Chamber is pushing for a transition to a less labor-intensive economy. This includes a Productivity Tech Kit Grant to help businesses automate and upskill. For Gozo, where GDP per capita sits at a worrying 8% of the national average, the SME Chamber is calling for the extension of Mġarr Harbour and an aggressive economic diversification strategy to stop the regional “brain drain.”

The Malta Chamber of SMEs remains committed to working alongside any future Government to ensure these practical and sustainable solutions are implemented so as to ensure that Malta remains competitive, resilient and economically sustainable for current and future generations. can you write this in an article and add some energy related proposals.

The Full Document can be viewed here