SME Chamber President meets MDB Officials
22 April 2024
Malta Chamber of SMEs President Mr Paul Abela met MDB Chairman Leo Brincat and CEO...
Meeting with Prime Minister ahead of European Council
22 June 2014
GRTU President
Paul Abela has today attended the MEUSAC core group where members present
discussed various issues with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in view
of the European Council meeting that will be held between the 26th and 27th of June.
During the
meeting several issued were raised, amongst which economic growth,
competitiveness, job creation and energy.
One of the topics addressed
during the discussion was the European Semester and the Country Specific
Recommendations. GRTU's President urged policy makers to acknowledge
elements which require immediate action as they directly impact the
competitiveness of Maltese enterprises. Mr Abela insisted that the first issue
that must be tackled is the lack of access to finance and high interest rates.
GRTU constantly appeals that access to finance to enterprises must be made
cheaper. Taking out loans from banks is costly with excessive collateral
demands, high interest rates and direct and indirect fees. Maltese businesses
need cheaper alternatives.
The issue of renewable energy was
also raised and GRTU argued that a greater push in this regard is needed
especially when it comes to investments by the private sector. Mr Abela
also brought to the attention of the Prime Minister the fact that port charges
are inherent elements that heavily affect the competitiveness of our
country and our businesses.
