Author: SME Chamber

Earlier today the Malta Chamber of SMEs held an introductory meeting with the newly appointed Transport Malta CEO Mr. Jonathan Borg.

During this introductory meeting, SME Chamber CEO highlighted the importance the Transport industry is for our members, given the array of sectors the Malta Chamber of SMEs represents including;
Chauffeur-driven
Car Rental and Leasing
Goods Distributors (supply chain)
Pleasure Boat Operators
Jeep Tour Operators
Vintage Vehicles
Ship Agents
VRT Operators
Large Passenger Transport – (Unscheduled Bus Service)
New Car importers
Second hand Car Importers
Maritime Pilots
Cargo Hauliers
Members representing different transport related sectors introduced themselves and gave an overview of the main stumbling blocks concerning their operation.

Whilst thanking the Transport Malta CEO and his team for their support so far, the SME Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to support Transport Malta for the benefit of its members and the country in general.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs held a meeting with the Foundation for Transport, Chairman Mr Michael Callus and Director General Ms Jeannette Axisa to discuss the possibility of future collaborations.

Malta Chamber of SMEs Deputy President Mr Philip Fenech and Head of Policy Mr Andrew Aquilina participated during this meeting.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs currently holding a Webinar on current & upcoming grant schemes  for businesses in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for European Funds.

Mr Claude Sammut, DG at the Managing Authority explained the various available schemes for SMEs. The webinar is being moderated by the Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with MISCO has today published the results of the SME Barometer® for Quarter 1, 2023

The representative survey conducted amongst 415 businesses in Malta found that the majority of businesses are still facing issues related to Employee Shortages (19%) and also an increase in Inflation (14%) . Other issues highlighted include Issues related with late payments (9%), unfair competition (9%), skills mismatch (7%) and Banking Information & Compliance Requirements (6%) amongst others. Issues highlighted in earlier surveys such as Processing of TCN VISA Applications scored lower (4%), demonstrating an improvement in the processing of applications.

Businesses also noted that the Increase in Inflation and the need for more Good Governance are the two main concerns they businesses would like the government to improve upon and address.

The SME Chamber notes that businesses are giving priority to quality in all aspects of their business operation. Additionally, the barometer also reflected that the international situation is still leading to a high level of uncertainty, given its volatility. This was clearly evident in the appetite level of businesses to invest during the next 12 months, with 55% stating they are not sure.

Inflation also ranked as a top most issues faced by businesses both in their day to day running of their business but also when it comes to serving their consumers. Finally, businesses acknowledge the important role the government plays in shifting economic trajectory and in attracting new sectors.

Click here to access the full presentation of the SME Barometer^®  results for Q1 2023.

2023 is the European Year of Skills.  As part of this year’s plans, the Foundation for Transport is reaching out to business players to define the skills gaps in their respective sector to be able to work out solutions.

The solutions may be various and may include training or retraining but, definitely, private stakeholders need to be part of the solution. Moreover, high employee turnover and difficulties to recruit require matching of skills and occupational standards. The urge for a digital and green transition in the transport industry mandates a long term planning of resources.

This particular survey is aimed at companies whose main activity is transportation of cargo/goods and all sorts of logistics.  It can be accessed through the below link and will take only a few minutes to complete.

Click here for survey

The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Business Doctors Malta organised a webinar on the challenge that most business owners face, that businesses are not free at all.
The webinar focused on helping business owners understand how they can remove themselves from day-to-day business operation, see how things look holistically, and to have more time of greater value.

Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes the appointment of Mr Jonathan Borg as new CEO of Transport Malta.

The SME Chamber is certain that the years of experience and expertise of Mr Borg will serve the Authority and Malta well.

As an organisation we are looking forward to start dealing with this person of great integrity on behalf of the many sectors that we represent.

Wishing Mr Borg well in his new role!