Category: Archive – 2010

GRTU was left disappointed by the EC report on the implementation of the Small Business Act at European and national level. According to GRTU, the text adopted today is a clear demonstration of the lack of ownership of the Small Business Act by Member States, only a few of which have acted in a comprehensive manner, while most have only cherry-picked parts of the package.

GRTU also criticises the European Commission for failing to publish a comprehensive assessment of the status quo, preferring instead a rather short and uncritical document that does not compare and contrast Member States' actions in the last 12 months. The SME organisation acknowledged the progress made on issues such as access to finance and standardisation, while stressing that SME organisations must be more involved to ensure an all-inclusive implementation of the SBA and of its principles. SME organisations in Malta have not been involved in any of the stages of the implementation of the Small Business Act.

The report is disappointing in more than one way. First of all, it is a very short and superficial document that amounts to little more than self-gloss by the Commission. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it shows that only a handful of Member States have acted in a comprehensive manner, while most cherry-picked a few points and got away with it. All we have is a few examples from a few countries on a few issues. We are very, very far from where we should be one year after the adoption of the Small Business Act.  GRTU had expected a detailed country by country report.

As far as Member States are concerned, only two out of 27 have fully transposed the Small Business Act in their national policy programmes. Positive news came on some issues such as late payments, where some Member States are anticipating the recast of the EC directive and at times go beyond its scope, although they are much more willing to act on B2B payment terms than on their own payment delays. However, the picture at national level is far from being rosy, with most Member States failing to take advantage of the rules already in place and above all to put in place an all-encompassing transposition of the Small Business Act and its principles into national law.

As far as the Commission is concerned, GRTU was left unimpressed by today's report, which does not deliver an in-depth analysis of the situation and only provides a handful of positive examples in an uncritical manner. We acknowledged the progress made on legislation with the adoption of a number of proposals linked to the Small Business Act and recognise that the Commission has acted swiftly and positively to secure access to finance during the crisis and to promote SMEs' participation in and defence of their interests in the standardisation process. However, the EC must do more to embrace the "Think Small First" principles and significantly improve the "SME Test" recently introduced.

On the whole, the report shows a significant lack of ownership of the Small Business Act at national level and mixed results at European level. The Commission may say that progress has been made by looking at the adopted legislation, but when we speak to entrepreneurs on the ground we hear that nothing has changed. The Small Business Act suffers from a clear lack of commitment, which must be swiftly redressed in the coming months. This can be done for instance by involving more closely business organisations. It is not by chance that the countries that decided to do so are the more advanced in the implementation of the Small Business Act.   

Family Businesses construe a critical component of both national and global economy. The wealth of the nation depends on them but nonetheless they are often subject to crucial encounters amongst internal members. The 2nd Annual Family Business Conference, launched by 2M Management Consultancy and Family Business Solutions Ltd., will be centring and challenging issues related to Governance and Succession Planning within the Family Businesses, through the contributions of distinguished speakers, panel discussions, workshops and networking.

Key components of this conference will be that of providing practical and real examples of successful governance strategies and succession processes which you can implement in your family business. The conference will also provide a forum for family business owners and managers to learn from the experience of others.

This conference will appeal to family business owners, family members working in the family business or those aspiring to work in the family business, shareholders in family businesses, Directors sitting on family Business Boards, family business management teams and those with an interest in Family Businesses. Small, medium and large family businesses.

Speakers will include: Hon. Tonio Fenech-Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment (MFEI); Mr. Ken McCracken-Family Business Solutions Ltd; Mr. Mario Duca-2M Management Consultancy Ltd; Mr. Alan Camilleri-Malta Enterprise; Ms. Helga Ellul-Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry Mr. Vince Farrugia-GRTU; Mr. Anton Spiteri-Ministry of Finance the Economy And Investment; Mr. Pier Luca Demajo-Demajo Group; Mr. Tancred Tabone-Forestals Group.

Please contact Abigail Mamo @GRTU if you are interested in the Conference. Conference fee is of €150, reduced to €125 for GRTU members.

Imports into the European Union of textile and clothing products originating in Belarus and exports of these products from the EU to Belarus following the expiry of the bilateral textiles agreement with Belarus on 1 January 2010

By the present notice, operators in the European Union are informed that on 31 December 2009 the bilateral textiles and clothing agreement between the European Community and Belarus which has been in force since 19931 will expire.

This will entail two important changes in the EU – Belarus trade in textile and clothing products.

On the one hand, exports of certain textile and clothing products from the European Union to Belarus will no longer benefit from preferential tariff rates. The tariff rates applied for all textile and clothing products as from 1 January 2010 are those set by the Customs Union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus of which Belarus will be member as from 1 January 2010. Detailed information on the applicable duty rates can be found under: www.tsouz.ru/db/ettr/tnved/Pages/default.aspx.

On the other hand, quantitative restrictions in the form of quotas will continue to be imposed on certain textile and clothing imports originating in Belarus. These quotas will be maintained on an autonomous basis. Therefore the Council Regulation (EC) 517/94 setting out common rules for imports from certain third countries has been amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1260/2009 of 18 December 2009 so as to include the overall quota levels and product coverage. These levels will remain the same as applied in 2009. Consequently, shipments of certain textile and clothing products into the European Union released for free circulation as from 1 January 2010 shall comply with the quota and surveillance management system under the provisions of the Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94. These provisions require importers to apply for import license as set out in the Management Regulation Commission Regulation (EU) No 1258/2009 of 18 December 2009. This Regulation includes the quota levels per operator and license by category of textile and clothing product applicable for the year 2010.

The Council of the European Union has decided to implement the Interim Agreement with Serbia. The agreement abolishes nearly all customs duties and quantitative restrictions for imports from the Balkan country. Only for a very limited number of products (baby beef, sugar and wine) annual import quotas remain in effect. The measure is excellent news for European importers, as it will finally provide legal security concerning customs free imports from Serbia.

The agreement also provides for the alignment with European rules on competition and state aid. This will contribute to ensure a level playing field for European retail and wholesale and competitive prices for consumers.

The title of this Act is the Metrology Act of 2010.  This Legal Notice transposes the European Directive 2009/3/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to units of measurement.  This Directive changes the First Schedule of the Metrology Act.

Directive 80/181/EEC supports the smooth functioning of the internal market through the level of harmonisation of units of measurement it prescribes. In this context, it is appropriate that the Commission monitors market developments relating to that Directive and its implementation, notably as concerns possible obstacles to the functioning of the internal market and any further harmonisation required to overcome those obstacles.

 

It is appropriate that the Commission continue to strongly pursue, in the context of its third country trade relations, including the Transatlantic Economic Council, the acceptance in third country markets of products labelled only in the units of the International System of Units (SI).

Supplementary indications could also allow the gradual and smooth introduction of new metric units which may be developed at the international level. In 1995, the General Conference on Weights and Measures decided to eliminate the class of SI supplementary units as a separate class in the SI and to interpret the units ‘radian' and ‘steradian' as dimensionless SI derived units, the names and symbols of which may, but need not, be used in expressions for other SI derived units, as is convenient.

In 1999, the General Conference on Weights and Measures adopted, within the framework of the SI, the ‘katal', the symbol of which is ‘kat', as the SI unit for catalytic activity. This new harmonised SI unit was intended to ensure a coherent and uniform indication of units of measurement in the fields of medicine and biochemistry and, as a consequence, to eliminate any risk of misunderstanding arising from the use of non-harmonised units.

In 2007, in order to eliminate one of the major sources of the observed variability between different realisations of the water triple point, the General Conference on Weights and Measures adopted a note on the definition of the ‘kelvin'. The ‘kelvin' is defined as a fraction of the thermodynamic temperature of the triple point of water. The note refers to water of a specific isotopic composition.

Since the acre is no longer in use for land registration purposes in the United Kingdom and Ireland, there is no longer any need to provide for an exemption in that respect. In accordance with point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making, Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interests of the Community, their own tables illustrating, as far as possible, the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public. (12) Directive 80/181/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly,

GRTU yesterday stressed at MCESD and to Minister for Finance, The Economy and Investment, the Hon. Tonio Fenech, on the need to improve the economic stimulus package proposed in Budget 2010 to mitigate for the added pressure on micro, small and medium sized enterprises imposed by the new electricity and water tariffs and approved by the Malta Resources Authority.

 

GRTU also insisted with Government on the utmost importance to have all schemes mentioned in Budget 2010 implemented without further delay and to have these schemes made available to all micro and small firms.

GRTU is proposing to Government a number of new initiatives and schemes adding to those already presented by GRTU in the pre-budget discussions and incorporate in Budget 2010. This new initiative includes the following proposals:

 

Rate of subsidy for investment in photovoltaics to go up to 70% to all enterprises that opt to implement the project within 12 months from approval, to benefit employment increase and immediate energy savings.

A standard attractive feed-in tariff for all firms, households and other establishments interested in investing heavily in photovoltaic systems. It is important that those who have the space and the capabilities are encouraged to provide new orders for new jobs to be created and saving on electricity made in the medium to long term.

Power Conservation Programme: Set up a quota allocation benchmarked on usage in Year 2008. This would give credits on the bill of those who successfully diminished their quota so that small and medium enterprises can benefit from reduced tariff payment on future bills.

Eco-Rebates for SMEs according to the Energy Conservation Programme.

Enterprises increasing their production or employment and as a result will suffer increases in electricity billing would be awarded a tax credit of 60% on the additional electricity charge when compared to the same period a year before.

The €2.5M Electricity Support Fund for small enterprises mechanism be put in place with immediate effect and increased to €10M.

The €20M Micro-Credit Support Scheme for SMEs should also be made available for the benefit of micro and small firms who encounter liquidity problems to meet their electricity billing with a written commitment not to reduce employment levels for a period of 12 months. The Scheme must be made available to all economic activities, including those involving vehicles and road equipment. This because it would give these sectors the possibility to shift funds from investment to cash flow needs to meet their electricity, water and fuel billing. The 40% (60% for Gozo) Tax Credit scheme will also be similarly applied.

Introduce a two option billing system by Enemalta. One based on a guaranteed price and another multi tier option. This gives enterprises the option to buy a two year fixed special rate depending on the electricity intensitivity of the service or product they produce.

Increase funding for Energy Audits to all economic sectors since this has now become an urgent matter for most micro-firms.

Enemalta to extend the use of night meters, especially for the super-markets, mini markets and other food retailers and wholesalers.

Special rates to be given to firms where more than 65% of their output sale is of essential products sold directly to Maltese consumers.

Tax credits of up to €2000 for builders of all new energy efficient homes constructed according to energy efficient standards approved by MRA/MEPA/MSA for all homes built in 2009 and 2010. These tax credits would be given if a building obtained 50% reduction in the building's total energy and power cost according to approved levels.

A tax deduction of €20 per square meter made available to owners of new and existing buildings used as premises for commercial, catering, industrial, accommodation, retail or office who install interior lighting, building envelope or heating, cooling, ventilation or hot water systems that reduce the building's total energy and power cost by 50% or more in comparison to a building meeting minimum requirement as set by the MSA/MRA/MEPA. Energy saving must be calculated using qualified computer software approved by the Inland Revenue Department.

Tax deduction of €5.00 per square meter available to owners of existing licensed commercial, catering, industrial, accommodation, retail or office premises where individual lighting, building envelope, or heating and cooling systems meet target levels that would reasonably contribute to an overall building saving of 30% if additional systems were installed.

Quicker implementation of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, including plans for assistance for energy saving investments.

Traffic lights and public lighting to be converted to operate by solar power and works to commerce with a short time framework, thus creating new green job possibilities.

For Release: 14^th December 2009