Author: SME Chamber

Following the announcement of new EU grants for businesses as part of the EU Recovery and Resilience Funds, the SME Chamber organised a webinar for its members with the participation of Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Dr Chris Bonett.

The webinar focused on the 2 latest funding opportunities digitalisation and energy efficient schemes. A total of €35 million of these funds will be used for digitalisation-related projects; with €5 million for SMEs and €10 million for projects tied to the tourism and cultural sectors. Whilst €20 million will be used for schemes promoting more energy efficiency in buildings.

Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Chris Bonett, accompanied by the Director General at the Measures and Support Division Mr Claude Sammut and Mr Chris Magri, explained the schemes to almost 200 participants while they also replied to various questions made by members.

The webinar recording is available upon request for all paid-up members.

Should you need any further information kindly email Mr Fabian Demicoli on

On the 13th of July, President Mr.Paul Abela, Deputy President Mr.Philip Fenech, and Council Member Mr.Beppe Muscat met a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for all of its 190 member countries. It achieves this through backing economic policies that encourage monetary cooperation and financial stability, both of which are necessary to boost economic growth, job creation, and productivity. 

While on a formal visit to Malta as part of routine talks with member nations, the IMF officials met with the Malta Chamber of SMEs.

The Chamber of SMEs examined the present state of the economy, the primary difficulties facing SMEs today, and ultimately the best course of action for resolving these issues.

Celebrating the UN’s World Day dedicated to MSMEs

The 27^th of June has been dedicated by the United Nations as a day for the world to celebrate micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This year marks the 5^th anniversary since the start of this commemorative occasion.

Malta stands at par with the EU with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) amounting to 99.8% of total enterprises. MSMEs in Malta however account for 78% of total jobs in the private sector in Malta, surpasses the EU average by 10%. Malta also surpasses the EU average when it comes to the value-added generated by these same MSMEs by a staggering 25% with a total of 82% of all value added generated, compared to the EU average of 57%.

The level of significance that micro, small and medium enterprises have in Malta is higher than anywhere else. Our smallest in terms of size also are the biggest contributors in terms economic and social value. This is something we should be proud of.

The Chamber of SMEs has always valued the work of entrepreneurs and appreciated the dedication and personal risk this involves. Running a business is never easy, nothing comes guaranteed. Businesses work very hard to ensure they give a service to be able to retain and attract more clients and also earn a living for themselves, their employees and their families, for whom they feel responsible.

The unprecedented challenges Maltese MSMEs are experiencing at the moment make it even harder to stay in business. This year the UN has chosen to celebrate MSMEs under the theme of ‘Resilience and recovery in view of the triple threat of Covid, conflict and climate’, a theme that perfectly reflects the circumstances of Malta’s MSMEs.

Malta’s MSMEs are on a rollercoaster of events: preparing for the digital and green transition and being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Covid delt a disproportionate impact. Even though several support measures were created many businesses took on debt financing to keep their companies afloat. Following this, during a time crucial for recovery, a devastating war started at Europe’s doorstep, creating further challenges and disruptions. MSMEs are also suffering from persistent disruptions in supply chains, intense labour shortages, excessive bureaucracy and compliance requirements, which negatively impact their ability to function, take on work and carry out investments.

Notwithstanding all these difficulties, local MSMEs continue being resilient and step by step walk steadily towards recovery. MSMEs turn our economy into the miracle that it is. The road ahead however offers many challenges, and we call on our policy makers to be aware that the manifold challenges can be overwhelming.

Before approving a new legislative or policy proposal, decision-makers should think about whether they – in the shoes of the entrepreneur – would feel supported by the policy initiative to make their business recover or would they be able to comply with the proposed rules and the burdens involved. Our policymakers should “think small first” and act accordingly.

As part of our efforts to promote business matchmaking for Israeli companies, The Federation of the Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC) announced several business offers from companies and its members.

All companies within the list of business offers are looking for new business partners, distributors, representation, or suppliers.

Companies interested to get more information related to these business offers and a full list of business offers, please contact Jamie Tanti by email at

Click here for the full list of business offers.

Companies who find these offers relevant to them may contact FICC directly and approach Ms. Yonat Keren:

The Malta Chamber of SMEs augurs success for this first edition following the pandemic

With the Malta Trade Fair opening its door for the first time following the pandemic, Malta has reached another milestone in terms of normality following the very disruptive Covid patch. The Trade Fair, traditionally, has always had a place in Malta’s economic and social calendar. Being able to plan and restore such important milestones in our calendar is a very important step for Malta.

Covid is however no longer the main challenge facing Malta and the economy. Today a number of other challenges have taken their position as top priorities and the SME Chamber is pleased to see a good number of these being addressed by the Malta Trade Fair.

• Lack of Resources – with lack of human resources being a major hurdle, maximizing resources is of paramount importance. Through the platform of the Malta Trade Fair, businesses receive a concentration of exposure and in joining forces with other traders at the fair, they are able to combine efforts and provide complementary solutions.

• Inflation – while there is limited action Malta can take on this matter, it is surely very opportune for private initiatives coming together to provide their very best offering and discounts for the benefits of local consumers.

• Sustainability – an increasing number of traders are offering solutions and options which are smarter and more sustainable. Malta needs to work much harder at reducing its dependency on resources, especially scarce and harmful ones. making use of renewables, recycled materials and technologies ,which are both good for the environment and people’s pockets, are well featured at this year’s fair.

The Trade Fair has something for everyone on offer, whether one is looking for items to buy, window shopping or a family outing, it will surely not disappoint. Tha Malta Chamber of SMEs wishes the MFCC and all traders participating great success.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs and the HSBC Malta Foundation have partnered up to organise a series of six webinars for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on corporate sustainability practices across a variety of industries.

The first three webinars of the series focused on sustainability in general, sustainability in the transport and maritime sectors, and sustainability in the retail, wholesale and hospitality sectors.

The remaining three webinars, taking place in the coming months, will elaborate on how sustainability practices can embellish operations in the professional services sector, in the manufacturing and industrial services sectors, and in the financial services sector.

Dr Roberta Lepre, Managing Consultant at Weave Consulting and host of the seminar series, said: “Increasing sustainability practices in corporate operations brings with it various advantages. Beyond being a prerequisite for a better future, sustainability can help businesses in reducing operational costs and gaining access to more innovative technologies. Additionally, business leaders who adopt sustainable approaches will see their corporation’s reputation growing, further underpinning commercial success.”

Michel Cordina, Executive Director and Head of Business Development at HSBC Malta, said: “HSBC Malta is committed to becoming a net-net zero bank by 2030 so sustainability for us is a strategic imperative. In this context, we are actively supporting the business community through activities such as this seminar series to learn about the advantages of sustainable practices and to begin to adapt their operations accordingly.”

Abigail Agius Mamo, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of SMEs, said: “Operational sustainability is an indicator of how long a business can maintain its current practices without risking its future resources. Ever so more, sustainability refers to ecological resources; however, the focus must also concentrate on social and economic resources, too, to ensure long-term success in today’s challenging corporate landscape.”

More information on upcoming webinars is available by sending an email to .

4Sight Group in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised a successful networking event for over 200  business people during the first edition of FLOW – The Digital Trasformation Event.

Throughout the 1 day conference which was held at Giardini Lambrosa, Rabat, industry experts delivered sessions, who together with a number of panelists provided attendees a wealth of useful information and experience-sharing.

A number of case studies were shared and additionally various demo workstations were available for a hands-on experience.