SME BAROMETER (Q3 2024) traffic congestion and overpopulation feature as important issues impacting businesses
30 October 2024
The Malta Chamber of SMEs earlier today published the results of the SME Barometer (Q3 2024)...
On receiving notification from the VGT that they intended to
increase the port tariffs GRTU immediately expressed its unequivocal opposition
to the increases. VGT's plans were to increase the tariffs from 1st September 2014
to reflect changes in inflation.
Malta is already heavily disadvantaged with no cheap import
lines available which impinge heavily on our competitivess and result in
increased prices. With further increase in port tariffs enterprises have no
choice but to increase product prices both for imports and exports.
Before announcing any change in tariffs VGT must go to the
regulator and we expect that an economic and social impact assessment is
carried out to analyse the impact the changes will have on our businesses
competitiveness and consumers.
Cargo hailers are frequently blamed for high port charges.
The truth however is that the competition between the burdnara is strong and
healthy and burdnara have not increased their charges for a long time.
Government has committed itself, the Prime Minister himself
in fact, to increase Malta's competitiveness, also by reducing port charges and
GRTU welcomes this commitment and also the backing by Transport Malta as the
regulator for objecting to it.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs represents over 7,000 members from over 90 different sectors which in their majority are either small or medium sized companies, and such issues like the one we're experiencing right now, it's important to be united. Malta Chamber of SMEs offers a number of different services tailored to its members' individual requirements' and necessities. These range from general services offered to all members to more individual & bespoke services catered for specific requirements.
A membership with Malta Chamber of SMEs will guarantee that you are constantly updated and informed with different opportunities which will directly benefit your business and help you grow. It also entails you to a number of services which in their majority are free of charge and offered exclusively to its members (in their majority all free of charge).