During a meeting with Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, we discussed opportunities for European funding to support digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects for SMEs. The aim is to help small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate the adoption of new technologies, strengthen their competitiveness, and enhance their capacity for innovation in an increasingly digital economy.
Malta Chamber of SMEs officials met with Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, responsible for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, at the European Commission Representation.
The discussion focused on the European Commission’s priorities. The SME Chamber delegation included President Mr Paul Abela, Deputy President Philip Fenech and Head of Policy Mr Jamie Tanri.
Following collaboration and support by the Malta Chamber of SMEs with OHSA, the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector has announced the launch of the application process for the free Health and Safety Training Programme offered by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA).
Free Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Awareness Course:
This course provides structured Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) awareness training to organisations, entities, and small and medium-sized enterprises. It consists of an 8 hour programme combining general OHS awareness with sector-specific training, covering legal obligations, hazard identification, risk assessment, and practical risk prevention measures.
The training is delivered through interactive sessions at OHSA premises, at participating organisations’ premises, or online.
The course is targeted at company administrators, policy managers, project leaders, OHS officers, and employees responsible for OHS within their organisation.
You are invited to register by downloading and completing the application form available here.
Once completed, kindly submit the form directly to OHSA at: .
We encourage you to take advantage of these free training courses. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr Fabian Demicoli at
The Malta Chamber of SMEs together with the Childcare Centre Providers Association (CCPA) welcomes the renewed free childcare scheme service agreement signed following discussions with Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment and Jobsplus.
The SME Chamber positively notes that Government has understood the sector’s main concerns and priorities, particularly the need to focus on maintaining quality service within childcare centres and ensuring staff retention, which formed the basis of the agreement reached.
Mr. Paul Abela, President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs said: “This agreement provides more certainty for operators and allows childcare centres to focus on delivering a high-quality service while keeping experienced staff within the sector.”
CCPA President Mr Simon Zammit stated: “Childcare providers have been facing challenges, especially when it comes to retaining qualified skilled staff. CCPA welcomes the Government’s willingness to recognise these realities and work with us towards practical solutions that protect quality.”
The Malta Chamber of SMEs and CCPA thanks the Government, Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Jobsplus and the Public Sector for their cooperation and commitment and willingness to reach an agreement for the benefit of the government, service providers and more importantly families benefitting from this scheme.
The SME Chamber together with CCPA remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a strong, sustainable and quality childcare sector in Malta and Gozo.
Innovative and creative businesses that transform intellectual property (IP) into tangible impact now have the opportunity to gain global recognition through the WIPO Global Awards 2026.
Organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United Nations agency for innovation and creativity, the awards celebrate startups and SMEs that successfully leverage IP — including trademarks, copyright, and patents — to grow their businesses and generate positive economic and social impact.
Whether you protect your brand with trademarks, safeguard creative works through copyright, or hold patents for groundbreaking inventions, this competition offers a prestigious platform to showcase your achievements on a global stage.
Entrepreneurs from all industries and regions are invited to apply between 15 January and 31 March 2026.
Applications are accepted in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, and Russian, ensuring accessibility to businesses across the globe.
Participants in the WIPO Global Awards benefit from:
International recognition through the WIPO–UN network
A tailored six-month mentorship programme focused on IP strategy, commercialization, and business growth
Opportunities to connect with investors, corporations, institutions, and innovation hubs worldwide
An invitation to attend the Awards Ceremony in Geneva, held during the WIPO Assemblies, representing 194 countries
In 2026, a total of 11 companies will be recognised:
10 winners across all economic sectors
1 Thematic Prize in Sports
2 Special Mentions for Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur
The WIPO Global Awards provide a unique opportunity for forward-thinking businesses to elevate their international profile while strengthening their IP strategy and global partnerships.
To learn more or submit an application, visit: wipo.int/en/web/awards/global
The Sustainable Development Directorate announces that the ESG Platform is live. In case you have not done so already, kindly register on the Platform here: https://esgplatform.gov.mt/login/. Once registered, you will be given login credentials so that you can start filling in the 2024 ESG Report.
Furthermore, kindly also note that Malta’s Sustainable Development Action Awards have just been launched. These Awards have been established to recognise, promote, celebrate and reward individuals, NGOs, businesses, academic teams and public institutions/bodies that are leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices with the aim of increasing economic, social and environmental sustainability. More information can be found here: https://sustainabledevelopment.gov.mt/sd-action-awards/. In case you are a locally registered private company and are interested in applying for the ESG Positive Impact Award, you can submit an application here: https://sustainabledevelopment.gov.mt/sd-action-awards/esg-positive-impact-award/.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Misco has published the results of its latest Business Performance Survey 2025 – SME Barometer®, providing key insights into the challenges and performance of businesses operating in Malta over the past year. Conducted between 8th and 21st January 2026, the online survey gathered responses from 351 businesses across various sectors, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the SME landscape.
When compared to 2024, 43% of businesses reported an increase in turnover during 2025, while 31% stated sales remained the same, and 26% experienced a decrease. This reflects a slight improvement compared to the previous year.
• Increased brand presence and improved marketing efforts
• Better sales strategies such as promotions and offers
• Price increases driven by external factors
• Diversification and changes in business models
Meanwhile, those with stagnant or declining turnover highlighted:
• Rising operational costs
• Increased competition
• Reduced customer spending power
• Labour shortages
• Inflation and global uncertainty
Profitability remains largely unchanged
Despite fluctuations in sales, profitability levels remained broadly stable:
• 39% reported profits remained the same
• 35% indicated they were less profitable
• 26% experienced higher profitability
This suggests that rising costs are absorbing much of the revenue growth seen in
parts of the business community.
Among businesses that increased prices in 2025, the main contributing factors were:
• Employee wage and salary costs (59%)
• Higher cost of imported products (40%)
• Increased overheads excluding wages
• Transport and freight costs
• Rent and regulatory compliance expenses
The festive trading period proved challenging:
• 44% of businesses saw a decrease in sales compared to the previous year
• 30% remained the same
• 26% reported an increase
The strongest sales day was Black Friday on 28th November (28%) folowed by
Christmas Eve (23%).
Survey respondents expressed increasing frustration regarding the overall business
environment. A significant number feel that Malta is not moving in the right
direction, citing:
• Unfair competition and illicit trading
• Rising bureaucracy and compliance costs
• Lack of enforcement against non-compliance
• Overpopulation and insufficient infrastructure
• Governance and transparency issues
The Malta Chamber of SMEs highlighted several ongoing issues affecting
businesses:
• Persistent labour shortages and difficulty attracting skilled workers
• Delayed payments negatively impacting SME cash flow
• Rising costs putting pressure on profitability
Based on the findings, the Chamber recommends:
• Strong action against unfair competition to ensure a level playing field
• Simplification and centralisation of compliance processes
• Better alignment of labour migration policies with market needs
• Increased transparency and anti-corruption measures
• Improved planning and communication of infrastructure works
• Rapid implementation of fully digitised government processes to reduce
bureaucracy.
During the Press conference Mr Paul Abela, President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs said that while some businesses recorded growth in 2025, many continue to face significant challenges, particularly rising costs, labour shortages, and increasing bureaucracy, all of which need to be urgently addressed.
Misco Director Mr Lawrence Zammit said that the business sector believes it can continue to create wealth, but it needs support in order to be able to keep going.
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) is consulting on a new Administrative Instrument designed to legally mandate safety protocols for all outdoor workers, including self-employed individuals and those in construction, transport, and landscaping—during extreme weather events, defined as Red Alert warnings or Force 9-10 gale winds.
This Administrative Instrument will apply to work carried out outdoors, including, but not limited to, construction work related activities, maintenance, civil engineering, landscaping, work at heights, maritime activities, road works and any other activities involving work undertaken outdoors.
The proposed rules establish a strict three-phase approach:
Pre-Storm Preparedness: Duty holders must have a dedicated contingency plan, secure all loose infrastructure (scaffolding, cranes), and identify vulnerable workers before bad weather hits.
During the Event: There is a mandatory cessation of all outdoor activities; works on roofs and temporary structures must stop, lifting equipment must be secured (cranes left free to slew), and electrical sources isolated.
Post-Storm Recovery: Work cannot resume until the weather alert is lifted and a thorough site inspection confirms that structural integrity and safety controls have been restored.
The full document can be found here
Members wishing to provide feedback are kindly requested to submit any feedback by Wednesday 11th February at noon by sending an email to .
The Malta Chamber of SMEs’ Landlord Section met with the Partit Laburista Chief Executive Officer Mr Leonid McKay and Head of Communications Ms Norma Saliba to present the position paper developed by the SME Chamber in collaboration with its landlords committee. The paper aims to promote fair and balance between landlords and tenants.
