Author: SME Chamber

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a vital part of the global economy, but many are struggling to keep up with the fast-paced changes of the digital age. Digital transformation is essential for SMEs to remain competitive and grow, but the process can be daunting.

Before embarking on digital transformation, it’s essential to have a clear strategy in place. This means identifying your business goals, understanding your customers and the market, and developing a plan for how digital technologies can help you achieve those goals. Without a clear strategy, you risk investing in the wrong technologies or implementing them in the wrong way.

One of the key benefits of digital transformation is the ability to improve the customer experience. By using digital tools to gather data and insights, you can better understand your customers’ needs and preferences and create a more personalised and convenient experience for them.

FLOW, The Digital Transformation Event explores the latest innovations in digital transformation and helps you discover how you can apply them to your business, understanding the challenges businesses face in today’s fast-paced digital environment.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a lot to gain by attending a digital transformation event. These events provide valuable insights into the latest technologies and strategies that can help SMEs optimise operations, improve customer engagement, and stay ahead of the competition.

Additionally, SMEs can network with other business leaders and industry experts to gain new perspectives on the digital landscape and find inspiration for their own digital initiatives. Attending a digital transformation event can also help SMEs stay current with the latest industry trends and developments, which can be vital for long-term growth and success. Overall, attending a digital transformation event is an excellent investment for SMEs looking to improve their digital capabilities and stay competitive in the modern business environment.

The event aimed to create a place to connect people who are enthusiastic about IT, creativity, innovation, and digital transformation and hear from industry experts and thought leaders their insights and strategies for success.

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KPMG in Malta, through its Public Sector and EU Advisory team and in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of SMEs, organised two information sessions focused on EU funding and incentives. With the current EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) running until 2027, this is a timely opportunity for businesses to tap into EU funds, particularly via the Business Enhance Grant Schemes under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Key Takeaways from the Audience

Over 70 participants from a wide range of sectors attended the sessions. Kicking off with an interactive polling session led by Martina Spiteri (Advisor), it was revealed that while most attendees had some awareness of EU funding, many still felt unclear about how to access opportunities, where to begin, and the extent of the administrative process involved.

Overview of Available EU Grants

Dylan Felice (Manager) delivered a presentation on the Business Enhance Grant Schemes, including an overview of funding-specific rules and eligibility criteria, and how these grants can support digital transformation, new equipment investment, and service expansion, amongst other initiatives. The importance of early planning, aligning projects with relevant schemes, and understanding eligibility from the outset was clearly outlined.

Case Studies: From Planning to Funding Success

The sessions also included practical case studies from businesses that successfully applied for funding with KPMG’s guidance. One notable example involved collaboration with KPMG’s Digital Solutions team to develop a strategy that led to funding for both project planning and implementation. Marco Vassallo (Partner and Co-lead of KPMG Digital Solutions) highlighted how similar approaches are enabling businesses to invest in custom digital solutions aligned with both the operational needs and the long-term goals of the company.

Upcoming Advisory Grant Schemes

Insights were shared into new advisory grant schemes, particularly relevant for SMEs planning to have in place a strategy for marketing, internationalisation, or attaining recognised standards and awards. As part of his presentation, Karl Aquilina (Associate Director) highlighted how these grants reflect a wider effort to improve planning around larger investments, and to make expert advice more accessible to local businesses.

Tax Incentives: An Additional Funding Route

Doreen Fenech (Tax Partner) and Faye Gauci Grech (Senior Manager) presented a complementary stream of support through Malta Enterprise’s tax incentives. These can be accessed either alongside or instead of EU funding, depending on project needs and funding rules. With the right experience and expertise at hand, KPMG is able to assist clients in navigating both EU and local funding avenues to ensure the most strategic fit for their initiatives

Connecting with Experts

The sessions concluded with a networking opportunity, allowing participants to speak directly with KPMG advisors and other business representatives.

Get in Touch

KPMG’s EU funding team is available for tailored consultations. To explore current opportunities or plan for upcoming schemes, contact Karl Aquilina at or Dylan Felice at . Additional resources are available on KPMG Malta’s EU funding webpage. This article was originally written by KPMG in Malta.

For more information, visit their EU Funding Services page.

Mr. Paul Abela, President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, participated in a recent edition of PBS’s current affairs programme Popolin, where he joined a panel to discuss Malta’s long-term strategic plan, Malta Vision 2050, and its implications for the local business landscape.

During the programme, Mr. Abela emphasized the importance of placing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the heart of the nation’s economic future. He highlighted the pivotal role SMEs play in driving growth, employment, and innovation, noting that “SMEs must not be sidelined in the shaping of Malta’s vision, but rather be empowered to lead within it.”

Echoing the Chamber’s recent press release, Mr. Abela welcomed the Malta Vision 2050 initiative, which aims to reshape the country’s economy towards a more sustainable and forward-thinking model. The SME Chamber has long advocated for the creation of a unified national vision and believes that this roadmap presents a unique opportunity to realign Malta’s economic priorities.

“The Malta Chamber of SMEs urges stakeholders and policymakers to ensure that SMEs are placed at the forefront of this initiative. As primary contributors to the Maltese economy and the backbone of the country, SMEs must be central to the development and implementation of the Vision,” the Chamber stated.

With over 99% of all enterprises in Malta classified as SMEs—97.8% employing fewer than 50 people—the Chamber stressed that their voices must be heard in shaping economic policy. Key areas for SME contribution include innovation and technology, sustainability, and skill development.

The SME Chamber reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with government, industry, and the wider community to ensure that Malta Vision 2050 delivers inclusive and impactful results.