Did you know that the Malta Chamber of SMEs offers a number of advisory services on EU funds? Including advisory services on EU funds? We offer one-to-one meetings on schemes that are related to both EU and national funds. We can assist with schemes that are part of the recovery and resilience funds.
Contact us if you would like to receive further information via email at
Innovation is high on the agenda of SMEs looking into the future. The highly disruptive and competitive times SMEs are operating in, make the adoption of digital capabilities and processes, indispensable. “Enterprise Innovation” aims to bring together companies that are seeking digitalisation solutions with companies that provide such services and products. The event’s agenda foresees a keynote address by the guest speaker from the European Innovation Management Academy in Germany and numerous case studies and inspirational testimonials by businesses that successfully adopted digitalisation practices to fuel their business growth.
The event will have two separate focuses: one targeting the more advanced manufacturing technologies whilst another session will hone in on digitalized commercial processes that could easily be integrated into the retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors, amongst others. Participants can visit the exhibition of services and products and set 1-to-1 meetings during the Brokerage Event in the second part of the day.
This event brings together a collection of Case Studies as well as introduces the attendees to a range of service providers of Industry 4.0 technologies to help implement their innovation vision…all under one roof. This European Advanced Manufacturing Support Centre (ADMA) initiative helps SMEs assess the possibility of adopting both advanced manufacturing solutions as well as social innovation strategies. This would transform organizations towards next-generation factories with more competitive, modern, and sustainable production
The match-making session in the afternoon then brings together companies that are seeking effective solutions with the providers. This is a unique opportunity to generate new business contacts and leads. The model is time – and cost-efficient and results in business! Meetings will take place in a dedicated area and will be arranged in advance by means of this website.
The SME Fund, a European Commission initiative implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has been launched once again this year and will run from 23 January 2023 to 8 December 2023. Funds are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
The SME Fund offers financial support to SMEs established in the European Union. The application can be filed by an owner, an employee or an authorised representative of an EU SME acting on its behalf.
In this regard, the Commerce Department is collaborating with the EUIPO to offer financial support/grants to those SMEs by providing 75% reimbursement of trademark and design fees at EU and national level. The grant consists of a partial reimbursement of costs to the beneficiary, up to a maximum of €1,000 per beneficiary in the case of trademarks and designs. Vouchers related to patents are financed by the European Commission’s financial contribution, and the modalities are still being fine tuned.
Applicants can apply at any point in time from 23 January 2023 to 8 December 2023.
It is important to note that vouchers are not retroactive, costs for activities executed before getting the grant decision cannot be reimbursed.
Should all the funds be used before the end of the call submission period, the online application system (eForm) will be closed and applicants will be informed accordingly on the SME FUND website.
Applicants will need to click on https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/sme-fund and proceed with filling the relative application form. After receiving the voucher, the SME can apply for their trademark and/or design on https://ips.gov.mt/ or for an EU application on https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/apply-now and thereafter, for the reimbursement with the EUIPO.
More details can be found at: https://euipo.europa.eu/ohimportal/en/online-services/sme-fund
A study conducted by the Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Misco among 237 business owners shows that 60% of SMEs in Malta in 2022 increased their total turnover when compared to the previous year. 22% replied that the turnover during 2022 remained the same and 17% replied that the turnover decreased when compared to 2021.
The main reasons for the increase in sales in 2022 were attributed to the “end of Covid-19 restrictions”, “more stability compared to 2021” and “more consumer confidence”, among others.
The survey which was part of the SME Barometer® was carried out between the 12th and 27th of January 2023 amongst business owners. The SME Barometer® will present quarterly surveys which give insights through scientific data on economic trends, business sentiment and state of enterprises in Malta.
The press conference was addressed by SME Chamber President Mr Paul Abela, Vice-President Mr Marcel Mizzi, Deputy President Mr Philip Fenech and CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo and Misco founder Mr Lawrence Zammit.
According to the Business performance survey, 39% of the businesses reported that 2022 was better than 2019 as the pre Cov id period, 15% reported that 2022 was equivalent to 2019, 17% replied that 2022 was close to 2019 and 29% replied that 2022 was below 2019 or still far off from 2019.
Asked about their biggest concerns for the year, businesses said they were seriously concerned about the increases in costs in general, the increasing wage costs, labour and employees shortage, effects of Ukraine-Russia crisis and the energy prices, should subsidy stop, among others.
Refering to plans for 2023, 29% of the businesses replied they plan to stay the same while 21% replied they intend to expand your business in Malta.
Click here to view the Business Performance Survey results.
Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo and Head of Policy Mr Andrew Aquilina met officials from the Malta Digital Innovation Authority – MDIA to discuss the foreseen changes to the legislation and plans ahead.
MDIA have recently launched the Mind the Gap scheme, targeted to enhance cyber resilience in digital commerce.
Click here to read more https://www.mdia.gov.mt/schemes/mind-the-gap/
The Malta Chamber of SMEs organised an online information session for its members about the Customs Malta new IT system as during 2023 the Customs department will be introducing changes in its IT systems which will bring about a number of changes to the current procedure.
The aim of this to achieve a paperless customs environment by 2025.
As part of The EU customs work programme shall see the implementation of all customs procedures using electronic data-processing techniques. A new coding system and new data requirements according to the EU Customs Data Model (EUCDM) shall feature in the new Automated Import System (AIS).
During this information session, the Malta Chamber of SMEs, together with the Customs Department highlighted these changes.
The 2023 annual competition for the WIPO Global Awards is searching for exceptional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of creators, inventors, and designers that are making smart use of intellectual property rights to achieve their business goals while also harnessing their innovation and creativity for the good of society.
The 2023 competition will run until the 31 March.
It is open to SMEs from around the world, active in all sectors of the economy – be that technology, agriculture, the creative industries or beyond, with applications using all forms of IP, ranging from copyright, to trademarks, patents, and geographical indications.
For further information, please visit the WIPO Global Awards website. https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/en/2023/
Malta Chamber of SMEs Deputy President Philip Fenech and CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo earlier today met new MCESD – Malta Council for Economic and Social Development chairperson Perit David Xuereb.
During this meeting, the SME Chamber congratulated Mr Xuereb on this new role and discussed ideas and proposals for improving and strengthening social dialogue in Malta.
The Malta Chamber of SMEs has today launched the SME Barometer® in collaboration with MISCO. The SME Barometer® will present quarterly surveys which give insights through scientific data on economic trends, business sentiment and state of enterprises in Malta.
Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO, Ms. Abigail Agius Mamo said that “the SME Chamber conducts regular research with its members and we are proud to enhance an already successful practice through our collaboration with MISCO. MISCO is surely a household name in research, which is synonymous with excellence and of admirable repute. The SME Chamber is therefore proud to partner with MISCO to bring to the fore economic and social indicators for the benefit and service of the business community and the country as a whole.”
Data gathered will be made available to the general public and will provide visibility on the most important issues our country and enterprises are facing periodically. The SME Barometer® will also be key in identifying future threats and propose ways on how these can be mitigated.
MISCO founding partner, Mr. Lawrence Zammit, said “over the last 40 years MISCO has sought to contribute to a better understanding of Malta’s business environment. MISCO is proud to collaborate with the Malta Chamber of SMEs through its expertise and insight on this project, which it hopes will become a point of reference for the business sector and for policy makers.”
The first joint survey conducted will be the annual business performance survey published shortly, later on in January.
