Category: Archive – 2010

People will be able to do their Christmas shopping in Valletta without worrying about being charged for parking in the capital city because the CVA fee has been waived for December afternoons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The controlled vehicular access (CVA) system will not levy a charge after 3 p.m. next month, the Valletta Business Community Committee announced yesterday. It said it had been informed of the decision during a meeting with Transport Minister Austin Gatt on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the committee raised the concerns of Valletta businesses over the lack of access and parking caused by the city's regeneration project and both sides agreed the issues required further discussion.

As reported in the Times of Malta

GRTU Director General has addressed the College of Permanent Secretaries. Vince Farrugia explained what are the 10 important pillars of the SBA: Create an environment in which entrepreneurs and family businesses can thrive and entrepreneurship is rewarded

 

Ensure that honest entrepreneurs who have faced bankruptcy quickly get a second chance

Design rules according to the "Think Small First" Principle

Make public administrations responsive to SME needs

Adapt public policy tools to SMEs' needs: facilitate SMEs' participation in public procurement and better use of State Aid possibilities

Facilitate SMEs access to finance and develop a legal and business environment supportive to timely payment in commercial transaction

Help SMEs to benefit more from opportunities offered by the Single Market

Promote the upgrading of skills in SMEs and all forms of innovation

Enable SMEs to turn the environmental challenges into opportunities

Encourage and support SMEs to benefit from growth of markets

Recently the Small Business Act has gained increased importance in Malta when the white paper on the Small Business Act Malta was launched last month and it is currently at consultation stage.

GRTU said that we have been in this situation of talks with Government on the subject of Government efficiency and its functionality to SMEs on countless occasions, so far we have registered some small steps.

There was a general agreement that all Permanent Secretaries will do their utmost to enforce these 10 pillars within the Ministries under their responsibility. GRTU's greatest complaints concerned Access to Finance and State Aid.

GRTU was pleased to note that Government has The Chairman of the College, Dr Godwin Grima,  issuing specific instructions to all public sector entities in line with the "only once principle" to ensure that after the 18th of November no certificates already in Government's position are to be requested again

Direct India provides consultation and assistance in marketing and business development to global companies towards their objective to explore the opportunity in business which India offers today.

 

They have over 25 years of working experience in Indian market and have helped several overseas companies including Fortune company right from entry level to establishment. Companies from a variety of sectors from manufacturing to services, etc found their assistance / professional guidance useful. They provide:

‘Road Map – The Strategic Business Development & Marketing Plan' for Indian market

Industry sector / cluster specific market study with recommendations for business in India

Assist to locate channel partner for importing, distributing, joint venture, manufacturing and agent for sales and marketing business in India

They have offices in South of Mumbai and executives have travelled to several countries.

If you are interested in making contact with this company kindly contact Ashwin Merchant. Their website is www.directindia.com

 

With the introduction of Regulation No. 39/2010 of 4 October 2010, the Indonesian authorities have changed their previous practice and now allow economic operators to import both finished goods for sale on the domestic market and raw materials for production, under the same legal entity.

 

In September 2009, the Indonesian Ministry of Trade issued Regulation No. 45/2009. This regulation imposed new conditions for imports, implying that a company could no longer import both finished products and raw materials for production under the same legal entity. As a consequence, in order to import both finished goods and raw materials, a company would have had to set up a new legal entity. The implementation of this policy would therefore have imposed significant costs and an additional administrative burden for foreign companies established in Indonesia, as well as for domestic companies.

Regulation No. 45 applied to all sectors. Nevertheless, it had a particularly negative impact on the pharmaceutical industry because of the overlap with the provisions of Decree 1010/2008. This Decree provided that pharmaceutical companies are allowed to import finished products only if they have production facilities in Indonesia. The practical effect of both decrees taken together was a de facto import ban on pharmaceuticals.

The EU delegation, jointly with the European Chamber of Commerce, held intense discussions with the Indonesian authorities, inter alia in the context of a newly established sectoral dialogue on pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This led to Regulation No. 39/2010 of 4 October 2010, which will allow imports of both finished products and raw materials under the same import license and legal entity as of 1 January 2011. As a result, the de facto ban on the importation of pharmaceuticals will be removed.

Indonesia is an important and growing market for the EU pharmaceutical industry, given its increasing middle-class and health-insurance coverage. EU exports of pharmaceuticals to Indonesia amounted to nearly €124 million in 2009. Between 2005 and 2008, the Indonesian market for EU pharmaceuticals increased by 72%. The EU Member States that were mostly concerned by Regulation No. 45 were Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium.

Despite the above-mentioned improvements, imports of both finished products and raw materials will only be possible under certain conditions. For example importers will have to be approved by the Ministry of Trade and will have to submit quarterly reports on the volume of imports. It should also be noted that the new Regulation is still facing resistance both from the Indonesian Parliament and the SME association who fear a "flooding of the market" with finished products.

The issuance of Regulation No. 39/2010 marks a significant success for joint market access work undertaken by the EU Delegation, Member States and the EU industry (under the umbrella of the European Chamber of Commerce). The Commission, Member States and European business will continue to monitor the situation closely.

The "Single Market Act" unveiled by the European Commission lacks the vision, ambition and coherence needed to bring Europe's internal market to the next level. On the positive side, GRTU welcomed the Commission's plans on the review of the Small Business Act and on the evaluation of the implementation of the Services Directive as well as its calls for progress on a Community patent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the negative side, we deplore the lack of discussion with small businesses in the preparation phase of the text, which led to a worrying choice of wording in the chapter on corporate social responsibility and to clear errors of judgment on SMEs elsewhere in the text. The consultation phase announced by the Commission today will be crucial to give a new direction to the current text if small businesses' concerns are finally taken on board.

After all the hype anticipating its unveiling and all the work made to prepare the ground, we were expecting more from the „Single Market Act‟. As it stands, the text is not a strategy capable of inspiring the relaunch of the internal market, but a mixed bag of old news and half-baked proposals, with some occasional good ideas thrown in the mix. The single market deserves much more than this. It needs clear principles, a long term vision, a plan on how to get there and the enforcement of rules. If the aim was to inspire, the text falls quite short of achieving it.

On the positive side, the text opens with a clear call on the Parliament and on the Council to adopt the proposals for a Community patent, which we appreciate and fully support. The lack of a single European patent system is one of the key obstacles facing our internal market, where the same invention can be subject to up to 27 different legal systems at the moment. The text has also good ideas on how to review the Small Business Act and follow up on the implementation of the Services Directive, two points that clearly deserve attention.

On the negative side, the Commission seems to be leaning towards legislation again as a means to regulate corporate social responsibility. Also on the negative side, the language used for SMEs is spot on at the beginning, when their fundamental role for the single market is highlighted, but becomes somewhat patronising elsewhere in the text, for instance when it says that the small companies of today are the large companies of tomorrow. The truth is, most of them will stay small, and that is not necessarily a bad thing as the Commission seems to imply.

The current text has many shortcomings both as far as the structure and the proposals are concerned. We hope that the consultation phase will take small businesses concerns finally on board and help in transforming the document into a concrete and ambitious strategy, since the „Single Market Act‟ as it stands is not likely to make a significant difference in the daily life of European small businesses.

The European Commission is proposing a Directive to protect and ensure the sustainable use of soil across the EU. The Directive will, if adopted, impose an obligation on land users to take precautionary measures if their activities may significantly hamper soil functions, and establish measures to limit the introduction of dangerous substances into the soil.

 

In this context MEUSAC is organising a briefing and consultation session for stakeholders on the issues involved, the current discussions taking place at the EU level and developments to be expected in the near future.

This session should be of particular interest to operators of:

Establishments such as power stations and gas installations

IPPC (integrated pollution prevention & control) sites

Areas in airports, land-based areas in ports and areas in former military sites where use, handling and storage of significant amounts of relevant hazardous substances occurs or has occurred.

Petrol and filling stations – this is because fuel leakage from damaged underground pipelines and tanks can, because of its known toxicity, have a detrimental or fatal effect on the flora and fauna within the contaminated area.

Dry cleaning facilities – a dry cleaning facility can contaminate soil or groundwater with hazardous chemicals used in dry cleaning. 

Quarries – since the removal of vast quantities of rock can result in the removal of layers of valuable soil. Moreover, machinery and heavy traffic used in a quarry could cause soil erosion.

Waste landfills

Waste water treatment installations

Pumping stations and areas where leaks have been reported of pipelines for the transport of hazardous substances.

The session, which will be conducted in Maltese, is being held as follows:

Tuesday 23^rd November 2010

Time: 9.00 – 10.30 hrs

Venue: 254, Europe House, St Paul Street, Valletta

Participation is free of charge, however registration is highly recommended in view of seating restrictions and should reach MEUSAC offices by not later than noon of Friday 19th November 2010 on email address  For further details and assistance on this event, kindly contact Mr Brian Pace at the abovementioned address.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a future EU programme for the audiovisual sector which, from 2014, would replace the current one. During the second semester of 2011, the Commission intends to adopt a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and Council establishing a new MEDIA programme after 2013. This new programme will help achieve the objectives of the new "Europe 2020" Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

 

The purpose of this consultation is to gather views from all relevant stakeholders of the audiovisual sector in Europe. Views are sought regarding the objectives, activities, and types of support within the new programme.

One area of particular interest in this consultation concerns the objectives and activities of the programme. There is, in this respect, a need to see how the programme's objectives and action lines should be revised in the light of technological, financial, social and other recent developments in order to ensure that they remain as relevant, clear and focused as possible.

The European Commission is also interested in consulting on management aspects of the programme in this context. Although considerable simplifications have been introduced during the run of the current programme, the Commission and its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, responsible for the operational management of much of the programme, would, however, welcome input on further possible simplifications.

Maltese stakeholders working in the audiovisual sector are strongly encouraged to participate, as the future MEDIA will need to address the concerns of those working in the sector.

MEDIA Desk Malta hosted by the Culture and Audiovisual Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for promoting the MEDIA programme in Malta.

For more information:

http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=futureumedia) or www.mediadeskmalta.eu

As part of its programme to set up yearly appointments for its members within all of Malta's Localities, GRTU has this month held a Locality meeting for the Naxxar and Gharghur business community. The prime aim of these annual meetings is of bringing GRTU closer to its members to better cater for their needs by reaching out to them directly from a place that is more easily reachable. The meeting was chaired by GRTU Locality Vice-President Michael Galea.

 

The meetings are useful to touch base with our member, giving them very valuable information for their business and hearing from them about what issues they would like GRTU to address in order to help them in their business activities.

Public Transport Reform: How will this effect the Localities of Mosta and Gharghur

Representatives from the MITC gave an overview of the public transport reform and the main changes that will come about. They also gave Locality specific information regarding public transport services within the community. The presentations can be obtained from GRTU upon request.

All present welcomed the effort to give users a public transport that is more reliable, efficient and has a better presentation. A suggestion from the floor was put forward that the direct link between the locality of Gharghur and Mater Dei be maintained as it seems to be one of the most popular routes. There was some disappointment from the side of the Naxxar business Community that Mosta and not Naxxar or not Naxxar as well was chosen as a major interchange hub which the Naxxar business people feel might cause some loss of business to Mosta. Some present also complained that they will have to catch more busses when coming from outside Naxxar to work however the MITC assured them that they will not feel much of a change since the service will become more efficient. 

Environment: Separated waste collection from the business community & reducing your waste

GRTU explained to those present the important changes that the requirement to separate waste and waste management schemes are bringing about. We explained that in many Localities today there is a specific day reserved for the collection of separated waste from the business community. Agreement on a date has not yet been reached for Naxxar and Gharghur. GRTU however also assured those present that before a date is set Eco Councilors will be sent to survey the business community and from there we will come up with a date that suits the business community's needs best. GRTU also explained the obligations of importers and local buyers under the waste packaging Directive. Where importers must register with MEPA as importers of packaging waste (the carton, shrink rap, pallets, etc.. coming with the importation of the actual products) and local buyers must check that the companies they are buying from have a waste packaging registration number on their invoice. For more information on waste collection and environmental obligations kindly contact GRTU.

Those present who were importers asked on how would they go about quantifying the weight of waste packaging they get yearly with their imports. These were asked to contact GRTU as they must be computed on a case by case basis and we would help them carry out this exercise. A question was also asked for other types of waste produced for example the waste thrown by butchers. GRTU explained that this fell under the Animal By-Products Directive and that till now through GRTU, Government has carried out a study to quantify the amount of waste falling under this category is thrown away and at the moment it is analyzing the feasibility of the options it has for implementation of the Directive.

Commerce: Licences, rights and Obligations

A representative of the Commerce Division was also present to the meeting and the first thing she outlined is that all businesses in operation must have their activity licensed by the Commerce Division. This except some few cases which are licensed by the MTA. If a business is operating without a license it is infringing the law and would be operating illegally. Explained was also the licencing procedure and that change of address, use or closure of a business must be immediately notified to the commerce division. An overview of the opening hours was also given.

Those present were not aware of most of the information given and they requested contacts of the Commerce division to update their situation. Questions were also asked related to specific cases of opening hours. More information on the opening hours is available from the GRTU and more information on Licencing can be obtained from Ms Silvana Borg of the Commerce Division on 25690199 or on .

Malta Enterprise's MicroInvest Scheme

A Malta Enterprise representative gave an overview of the tax credit scheme which can save businesses up to €25,000 off their tax bill when making an investment in their business. The scheme is targeted at enterprises employing less than 9 full time employees making an investment which includes furbishment, the wage of new employees and also vehicles used for the transport of goods. The application system was also explained which consists of just 2 pages and is very simple to fill in. The tax benefit a self employed person or an enterprise is eligible for is calculated as 40% of the amount spent on the investment and enterprises can apply once every year, preferably at end year so that all expenses of that year are included. Eligible expenses are those made since January of this year will end 2012. Help and further information can be obtained from GRTU.

Due to unforeseen circumstances two interventions had to be cancelled. A representative from the Consumer Division had to had to provide an explanation on consumer rights and obligations would have included price indication, disputes between businesses and consumers, etc.. The other representative should have presented the ETC Employment Aid Programme which offers a scheme to employers who choose to employ a person considered to be at a disadvantage and have in most cases half of the salary and NI paid by the programme for a duration of 3 months.

GRTU invited those present to put forward anything they wished GRTU to address regarding problems they experience hampering their business within the Locality. Anyone still wishing to put forward such situations is invited to contact GRTU.

GRTU also invited those present that if they are interested they can form part of the Naxxar and Gharghur Locality working Group. Members in these Localities who could not attend are still invited to put their name forward if interested. GRTU needs the continuous input of its members to work on and solve issues within a specific Locality. This would be the prime aim of the working group. The working group would meet on a monthly basis.

If you did not have the opportunity to attend and would like to know more kindly contact Bernice Cutajar @ GRTU.

Green MT as an authorised waste packaging recovery scheme and fully owned subsidiary of the GRTU has opted to stop using Wasteserv Malta Limited facilities over what we feel are over-inflated charges.

 

Green MT has recovered 10,800 tons during the first nine months of this year and under the current agreement with Government, Green MT is supposed to use Wasteserv Malta Limited facilities to separate bale. Wasteserv subsequently sells the material on behalf of the scheme.

This was normal practice until Wasteserv provided their open book accountability for the first calendar year of operation. After having reviewed the figures it transpired that it was not cost-effective for Green MT to continue using the services of this material recycling facility. On behalf of its members, Green MT is committed to provide the best technical solutions at the least price possible.

Wasteserv Malta cannot pretend to be the Government. Green MT strives to manage the scheme as cost effectively and efficiently as possible and it is unacceptable that Wasteserv imposes a phenomenal charge for handling of material, which is four times more than the average rate similar management facilities pay in other EU countries, when we had an agreement.

Wasteserv unilaterally decided, and in our view illicitly, to withhold funds due to the company on the sale of materials it delivers to them for sale on the excuse that the charge for material handling is not what we agreed upon.

We charge a rate to our members per tonne based on the cost we agreed with suppliers and Wasteserv. Wasteserv cannot turn commercial practices upside down.

Through the Green MT initiative GRTU is helping its members carry their collective social responsibility. If Wasteserv cannot offer a service which is economically viable as a result of the high cost of operations, low level of efficiency and poor capital investment, then it is up to Government to resolve the impasse.

Green MT is also recovering much more then its legal obligations at law. However, the company also has contractual and moral obligations towards Local Councils and will without fail continue to provide a service to the community. In order for this service to continue Government would do well to make sure that the competent authority enforces on producers to be paying members of schemes. This is imperative for the services of recovery of recyclable waste from localities to continue.

There is always of course the other option, of Government not providing any enforcement at all but paying up for the service itself. This is no time for lip service. Government has to stand up to be counted when implementing such directives. Green MT cannot allow a situation where the few are paying for the many who have not yet registered as scheme members.

Green MT is committed to cleaner localities, and more. Zero Waste Strategy in no longer an option. While others sit back, Green MT is the leader and very proactive in the current implementation of the waste management strategy.

In respect to all packaging waste placed on the market, the price of the product is what the buyer pays, the actual cost is what society pays.

I intend, as member of EESC, to raise this issue at EU level as Maltese enterprises, being small in a remote location, can only meet their obligations under EU laws through the only facility they have, Wasteserv. This at a cost which is competitive when compared to the norm in other EU Member States and not more than four times more the burden suffered by our competitors.

I expect Government to intervene and find a solution as for the GRTU this situation is completely unacceptable and tantamount to a decision to destroy what has been diligently and laboriously built over these last years. What we have now on the table is nothing but a veritable farce.

Green MT is pleased to note that recovery from Birkirkara Local Council in June 2010 reached an all time record for recovery from any one locality in Malta. The scheme recovered 97.2 tons of packaging waste in June 2010, thus an average of 23.4 tons every week. This now means that Birkirkara Local Council is recovering 15.5 tons additional tons weekly since Green MT started recovery of separated waste in June 2009.

Vincent Farrugia