Author: SME Chamber

The final conference gives important recommendations for the future of EU Semester from SMEs’ perspective

On Thursday 16 September 2021, the SMILES project held its final conference on SMEs’ Involvement in the European Semester: stocktaking and the way forward. The 2-year EU-funded project finalised with a rich debate among SMEunited members and the cross-industry social partners, contributing to useful conclusions for the future of the European Semester. The Malta Chamber of SMEs EU and Communications Executive, Fabian Demicoli,  participated in this project from the very beginning and provided input on consultation within Malta’s Government structures.

The purpose of SMILES was to create a better understanding of the state of play of SME organisations’ awareness, consultation and involvement in the European Semester and promoting it further through the exchange of good practices, mutual learning and recommendations for future action.

The event brought together the European Commission, Member States, SME organisations representatives and European and national social partners to exchange on how to improve and strengthen the role of social partners and SME organisations in the European Semester.

Opening session

In her opening speech, Secretary General Véronique Willems reviewed the project’s path in the last two years. She emphasised the necessary adaptation of SMILES to the new economic and social reality caused by the pandemic: “We asked our members during the course of SMILES to report and debate about their involvement in the preparation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), the use of the EU budget for smoothing the crisis impact and finally for the structural reforms mentioned in the European Semester integrating all major relevant policies for SMEs.”

Presenting the main outcomes of the project, SMEunited Director for Social Affairs, Liliane Volozinskis mentioned the main policy recommendations at European as well as at national level.

National views

In the first session, speakers from national SME organisations CPME  from France and CNIPMMR from Romania and social partners, had the opportunity to share their views and give a more ‘hands-on’ experience on the EU semester process. In the second session representatives from GSEVEE (Greece), ZRP (Poland) discussed about the challenges in their involvement in the design of National Recovery and Resilience Plans.

In the first session, speakers shared a more hands-on experience and vision on the European Semester process, representing views from  CPME (France), CNIPMMR (Romania) and national social partners, .The second session focused on the challenges for the involvement in the design of National Recovery and Resilience Plans with representatives from GSEVEE (Greece), ZRP (Poland).

The new European Semester process – the way forward

Pim Lescrauwaet, Member of Cabinet of Vice-President Dombrovskis referred to adaptations of the European Semester to the changing circumstances in the last decade. “It is clear that the European Semester and Recovery and Resilience Plans will co-exist in the following years. The European Semester will not become obsolete, it will remain in place to look at the broader policy agenda”, he added.

Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General, SGI Europe addressed the necessary focus on the regional aspect: “In many Member States, the real implementation is at regional level. A question is how we should tackle this challenge.”

Markus Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope emphasised that next to spending money we must ensure the right conditions to create it, hence strengthening growth and competitiveness.

Luca Visentini, General Secretary of ETUC insisted that for a successful European Semester, Next Generation EU with the RRF, the Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights must be fully integrated in the process.

At the end of the conference, SG Willems concluded that a joint call by the European social partners for a systematic, meaningful and timely involvement of national social partners in the European Semester still stands. This is especially through the implementation and potential adaptation of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans by national authorities. She added recommendation on a stronger role for the European Semester Officers, a clear overview of the deadlines for each step of the Semester process and support for capacity building to social partners and SME organisations where necessary.

She emphasised: “It is a unique opportunity to best combine the use of the Recovery and Resilience Facility with the European Semester process. The political decision makers at national level should fully integrate social partners and SME organisations views to have a good bottom-up approach and to learn from the ground what are the real needs after the pandemic shock.”

source: smeunited.eu

Proposals were presented during a Press Conference on Monday

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has today publicly launched its Budget proposals for 2022. A total of 26 proposals were presented which aim at accelerating the economic recovery, help businesses become future proof, support those businesses still heavily suffering the effects of Covid and to help Malta move into normality. 

The full set of proposals can be found here. The below is a summary of the main proposals presented: 

 

• Widening of existing tax brackets 

Extending the middle 25% tax bracket for up to Eur 100K income to help businesses in their recovery. 

 

• Removal of SISA 

Exercise to be removed for all goods that do not carry the excise identifier marker to avoid unfair competition. 

 

• Rescue package for worst COVID hit businesses 

Extending existing moratoria and lengthened repayment periods. 

Extended Covid Support Assistance – Wage Supplement, Rent, Electricity. 

Scheme for converting accumulated debt due to the Covid impact into a non-repayable grant based on specific criteria. 

Aggressive grants to support the strengthening of the business to the post-Covid scenario – Refurbishments, change in business structure, marketing, re-employment, stocks. 

 

• Addressing the adverse banking environment 

Banking services supervision through the setting up of a task force with the ultimate aim of establishing a Charter for Banking Services and the appointment of a separate Banking Services Supervisory Board that will act as a redress mechanism for disproportionate action or treatment.  

The government is also asked to attract more competition in the banking sector.  

 

• The Workplace 

The SME Chamber is calling for a revamp of the quarantine financial mechanism and  the legalisation of requesting information about vaccine status and travel plans at the workplace. 

a. Unvaccinated employees by choice would not be eligible for any quarantine leave  

b. No Quarantine leave for travellers to areas where quarantine will be necessary upon their return 

c. Legalise the requirement to share information – Vaccination and Travel  

Incentives for employers to create safe and professional team building activities to mitigate increase in mental health and marginalisation issues.  

 

• Accredited Training  

A full financed training scheme based on the training necessities of employers. With resources being very limited at the moment a strong incentive is necessary in order to increase training levels. 

 

• Digitlisation Strategy 

A grant scheme that would help businesses cover costs linked to the successful execution of a website. This includes: 

d. Building/updating/replacing of content which includes products or services for sale. 

e. The optimization of client experience 

f. Linking the site to stocks and having a fully fledged integrated system that can also include the upgrade of the point of sale system and backend functions 

A scheme specifically aimed at raising awareness and supporting businesses investing in cyber security via a tax-credit. 

 

• Reforming MicroInvest 

50% of the eligible tax credit convertible to a (Max. Eur 5,000) grant. 

Extend the duration to use tax credit from 3 to 5 years. 

Increase capping from 50K to 70K for all businesses and from 70K to 90K for businesses currently falling under the preferential category. 

 

• Imports & Exports  

Addressing the high shipping costs at Macro Level through discussions at the EU to negotiate matters as a continent, and at Member State level to negotiate shipping agreements that would reduce importation costs. 

Incentives that would help local businesses produce products previously imported in a sustainable manner. 

Malta to present its case at EU level to get specific exemptions on Brexit procedures. 

Incentivise Exports to Africa through a state facilitated Guarantee Scheme or Insurance. 

 

• Mitigating the Greylisting  

Compliance authorities to implement enforcement fairly and to focus on educating and supporting users to increase compliance.

A specific grant should be made available for CSPs and other service providers to invest and upgrade their due diligence system. 

 

• Carbon-neutral Strategy 

More aggressive grants for the private sector to purchase EVs and creating opportunities for companies to invest in multiple charging stations in several spots, including fast chargers within the business. 

Greener Special Type vehicles scheme should include the possibility to upgrade fleets to the latest Euro Engine. 

Scrappage scheme should be extended to vehicles which are not for private use. 

 

• Gozo 

Proposal for Gozo include a clear ban on the development in ODZ areas as swell as a scheme to renovate unutilised properties. A mutli-storey car-park in Victoria and incentivising clean transport by reduction the ferry cost for Maltese residents with electric vehicles and having the installation of electric chargers in all villages. 

 

Click here for the full proposal document

Click here to download powerpoint presentation

The Customs Department would like to inform all economic operators that, as from Monday, 4^th October, the mandatory uploading of all supporting documents to the National Import System (NIS) is being extended to all cargo arriving by air, except Courier and Postal consignments. This means that the above mentioned procedure applies for all cargo controlled by Luqa Airfreight Section.

Essentially, this means that, all invoices, packing lists, bill of lading, notice of arrival, certificates and other documents related to the particular consignment where a declaration has been submitted, would be required to be attached as shown hereunder:

Greater support for businesses to protect themselves against cyber attacks

Malta Chamber of SMEs Vice President Marcel Mizzi and CEO Abigail Mamo met the Microsoft CEO responsible for Malta, Cyprus and Greece.

Microsoft shared a number of interesting facts in a presentation:

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has held a meeting with the Minister for Finance Hon. Dr. Clyde Caruana in order to voice its concerns on a number of issues relating directly to Banking.

The Main issues highlighted during the meeting where:

Excessive Bank Charges:

The SME Chamber raised its members concerns on the regular increase in bank charges, these mainly relate with cash deposit, cash handling fees, account maintenance and other administrative charges. The SME Chamber highlighted the fact that the main banks in Malta have an obligation to provide basic services, given their dominant position in the Market.

The SME Chamber has reaffirmed its position to follow this issue and seek a workable solution for its members.

 

Burdensome Administrative and Bureaucratic Procedures.

During the meeting the SME Chamber emphasised that the increase in paperwork and bureaucratic procedures are slowing their productivity and increasing costs for businesses. Although the SME Chamber fully understands that certain procedures need to be in place (especially following Malta’s greylisitng), processes can be improved in order to alleviate additional administrative procedures. Members regularly note that such requirements increase indirect costs and take a toll on business resources, which resources can be put to better use.

 

General Issues with Banking

Members represented by the SME Chamber in particular Company Service Providers regularly complain on the ever increasing issue to set-up bank accounts for a number of businesses in particularly start-ups wishing to start operation.

The SME Chamber also raised its concern on this becoming more problematic in the coming months in light of the FATF Grey lisiting.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has called on the Minister for Finance to seek other alternatives and possibly find a long term solution for this ever-growing issue.

The SME Chamber has agreed to keep following the above and other possible issues in the future and keep an open line of communication with Hon. Caruana informing him directly with any developments and any othe issues encountered by our members from time to time.

Keeping the workplace safe without breaching employment and personal data regulations

During our most recent Webinar: Covid and Vaccinations, which was held on the 28th of July in collaboration with the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) and the Office of Information and Data Protection Commission (IDPC), we interpreted the requirements of the regulations on employment and personal data in relation to Covid-19 and vaccinations.

This webinar focused on assisting businesses on how to handle situations arising at the place of work.

Both DIER and IDPC representatives replied to issues arising and replying to questions such as: can I force my employees to get vaccinated?, can I ask my employees if they have been vaccinated?, Can I ask employees to carry out routine swabbing?, amongst other questions.

Following this webinar we’ve prepared a few Q and A’s which surely answer most of your questions:

• Can I ask employees to carry out routine swabbing?

The health authorities are already catering for when swab tests are required. In order to ask for additional swab tests, employers should have a very valid reason which goes beyond the general health concern.

• Can I ask my employees if they have been vaccinated?

Employers should avoid collecting personal data of employees. As far as possible therefore, any exchange of information should be done verbally and no records to be kept. At no point are employees obliged to pass on such data unless there is a strong necessity to do so. On the other hand employers may request a doctors certificate confirming that employees are fit to return to work.

• Can I oblige employees to inform me when travelling?

In the same way this was not possible before Covid, it is similarly not possible now. Employees do not need to disclose their reasons to require leave, yer it is at the employers’ discretion to approve it or otherwise. Keeping however also in mind that any leave not availed from would need to be compensated for unless this would be agreed to be carried forward.

There is an only exception when travelling to a red-list country. In that case the travel information must be disclosed.

• Can I retain data and ask for swabs if my employees agreed to it?

Agreeing with employees is always the best way forward and things should always be done in the interest of the collective. Employers however should be aware that in terms of employment regulation this is a very important principle but in terms of data protection, agreement between employer and employee holds much weight. It is therefore still important to act tactfully in terms of data collection and retention.

• If an employer requires to collect data due to specific circumstances?

Employers should start by carrying out a risk assessment and following this consulting with with the Office of Information and Data Protection Commission (IDPC) for guidance.

Members that would like to receive the link to view this webinar should send on email to 

The eBusiness Awards is an annual event that aims to acknowledge uniques and innovative ideas and initiatives

This year marks the tenth-year anniversary of the renowned eBusiness Awards which seek to recognise and celebrate the best of Maltese talent, ambition, and achievement in multiple categories for our digital ecosystem.

The eBusiness Awards have consistently provided a prestigious platform for increased visibility to participants and an excellent means to credit the efforts and unique talents demonstrated by all those involved in the rollout of innovative business initiatives.

In this respect, we encourage businesses to participate and put forward their creations in the technology sphere.

In order to participate in any of the nine categories covering various elements such as eCommerce, start-ups, cloud-based solutions, academic research and eGovernment initiatives, interested participants can access the form through the link below:

https://ebusinessawards.com.mt/nominate/#participate

Closing date for submissions is 12th September 2021.

Join the Master in Creativity and Innovation (full time/part time day) at the Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation next October!

Applications are open until 30th September at 14.00 against the University of Malta’s late application fee.
This course is relevant for business owners as it equips them with various competences to strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, sustain their ventures, and stand out from the competition.

These include creative idea generation and problem-solving, opportunity identification, business modelling, and innovation management.
It is open to applicants in possession of an undergraduate degree in any subject from the University of Malta, or an equivalent qualification obtained from any other recognised university.

It therefore attracts local and international students from diverse educational and professional backgrounds.
Eligible students may benefit from a tax credit of up to 70% of the course fees under the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.
For further details, email , phone 2340 2434, or visit:
Master Full-Time: https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/PMCAIFTT8-2021-2-O
Master Part-Time Day: https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/PMCAIPDT8-2021-2-O