Category: Archive – 2011

GRTU is extremely concerned that in spite of the Prime Ministers` friendly words and statements in favour of small businesses and in spite of the excellent words incorporated in Malta's Small Business Act proposal the whole public sector set-up is increasingly geared against small business owners.

The Ministry for finance to which the small business and self employed Parliamentary Secretary is attached is the one with the worst guilt conscience. Anyone who goes to the Courts on a regular basis will not fail to notice what is happening. In what the Ministry for Finance believes to be a clever ploy to convince Brussels Bureaucrats that Malta is doing sufficiently well in narrowing the public sector Budgetary deficit, as requested by the Commission under the new European Semester economic framework, the tax authorities of Malta have issued incredible demands on Maltese private entrepreneurs to pay up on what are termed as tax arrears. The demands made on individual enterprises, and demands that are juridically implementable, are beyond imagination. The sum total of these demands, that according to the judicial letters issues, are effectively and legally owing to Government, substantially reduce the Budget deficit.

But, GRTU asks, are these amounts really owing to Government? Is the Budget deficit falling as a result of these monies that according to Government are "owing"? Or is this just a ploy, as GRTU seriously believes, to convince Brussels, that all is well in the little state of Malta. Hundreds if not thousands of entrepreneurs are being dragged to court like criminals on claims that drive anyone with a poor cardiac condition strait to ICU. There was a time when the nationalist party in opposition made a tremendous fuss, instigated by GRTU, when the then socialist Government used a similar tactic. Many old GRTU members come to GRTU and ask us ironically the name of the finance Minister: "Is it Wistin Abela or Tonio Fenech?". This is the state we are in.

GRTU is facing daily problems on all fronts Petrol Station owners are being denied of their permanent licence. Petrol Station owners are being accused most unjustly of crimes of which there is no proof, except hearsay.

Gas distributors have arbitrarily been denied of their contractual rights and at the same time fuel bowser owners are denied their decent profit margins. Water bowser owners are being blamed of depletion of the water table when the real culprit is Government's own Water Corporation and a multiplicity of other major water suckers.

Waste carriers have for two years been waiting for a practical solution that enables them to invest in new trucks. The whole waste management operators await decisions that really make waste management compliance professional and economically viable. On Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment GRTU has been waiting for four years to have a clear indication from Government as to how to proceed.

Cargo hauliers are sick and tired waiting for a decision that affects proper arrangements for the parking of trailers and empty containers. Retailers and service providers in most localities face indecision connected to parking and traffic management.

The list is endless. The attitude of the public sector towards the self employed and the small business owners never change: Paroli Si Fatti No.

L-2010 zgur li tibqa' sena li ma ninsewix malajr, wara dak li gara fl-2008 meta d-dinja ekonomika li konna nafu qisha f'daqqa wahda splodiet. Ahna konna nformati, grazzi ghall-analizi f'waqtha u tajba li dejjem jaghmlilna d-Direttur Generali, li l-ekonomija taghna fl-2009 kienet ser issib ruhha f'bahar verament imqalleb. L-2008 u l-2009 kienu snin li nisperaw li ma nergawx naraw bhalhom. Ahna qatt ma kellna dubju illi l-effett tal-mewga kerha ekonomika li laqtet id-dinja kien ser jibqa' jkaxxkar ukoll fl-2010 u li jigri x'jigri id-dinja ta' wara l-krizi qatt ma kienet ser terga' tigi ghal li kienet.

Konna nafu wkoll illi pajjizna, wiehed mill-aktar pajjizi ekonomikament miftuha ghad-dinja, ma setgha qatt jehlisha lixxa, ghaliex il-qligh ewlieni ta' pajjizna, kemm jekk industrija ghall-esportazzjoni, turizmu, trazbord u attivita' portwali, attivita' finanzjarja jew attivita' marbuta ma' e-gaming jew attivita' ohra bhal back-office work u servizzi lill-intraprizi, kollha jiddependu fuq is-swieq internazzjonali u jiddependu fuq kemm sejrin tajjeb l-ekonomiji li maghhom ahna nikkomercjalizzaw, b'mod partikolari l-partners taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja.

Ahna f'pajjizna nistghu, mhux ma nistghux infasslu policies li f'kaz ta' inkwiet minn barra, jilqawlna d-daqqiet u jghinuna nilqghu l-isfidi, pero' fl-ahhar mill-ahhar ahna m'ghandnix is-sahha li ninfluwenzaw id-dinja. Illum anzi bis-sahha ta' shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja niehdu sehem ukoll permezz tal-Prim Ministru fil-Kunsill tal-Ministri tal-Gvernijiet Ewropej u niehdu sehem f'kull konsultazzjoni u f'kull rapprezentanza li tolqot, mhux lill-pajjizna biss, izda lir-Regjun kollu Ewropew. Qatt qabel din is-shubija f'sitwazzjonijiet ta' krizi Malta ma kienet involuta; la fil-konsultazzjoni, la fid-decizjonijiet u aktar u aktar fil-qsim ta' fondi li jinholqu biex jimmansaw il-krizi u nilqghu b'mod komprensiv ghall-problemi ta' wara l-krizi.

Tahsbu li din kienet xi krizi li facli tirrisolva ruhha? Kienu hafna f'Malta u f'kull pajjiz li jippuntaw subghajhom u tkazaw b'dak li gara u b'dak li ghamel haddiehor. Pero' x'hin nigu ghas-soluzzjonijiet ftit kienu dawk, anke fl-akbar pajjizi, li hargu bis-soluzzjonijiet. Meta l-Unjoni Ewropeja vvutat is-somma ta' hames t'elef biljun, jigifieri hames miljun, miljun ta' ewro biex tilqa' ghal problema enormi tal-krizi finanzjarja fl-Ewropa, hadd qabel ma kien semma' cifri bhal dawn. Il-waqgha fil-livelli tax-xoghol u ta' attivita' ekonomika ingenerali kexkex lil kulhadd. Id-djun ta' pajjizi hafna akbar minnha, anke dawk li konna inharsu lejhom bhala kapaci, bhall-Irlanda u Spanja, sfaw imkissra. Minbarra l-Germanja ftit kienu dawk il-pajjizi li hasbu minn qabel biex meta jkollhom krizi jkollhom fuq xiex jaqghu.

Ahna f'Malta konna ilna s-snin nghidu lill-Gvern biex jahseb ghax bid-deficit pubbliku li kellna u bir-rata tad-dejn Nazzjonali kif kien qed jitla', allahares tinqala' krizi kbira ghax il-pajjiz jiehdu l-mewg u ma jkollnix fuq xiex naqghu. Ghal grazzja t'Alla dan ma garax. Jien kburi li l-GRTU, avolja rat u qalet go fiha kull kritika' immaginabbli, zammet iebes u kull fejn il-Gvern, f'isem pajjizna, talab is-sapport taghna ahna dejjem tajnih kemm f'Malta kif ukoll fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Dan ghaliex m'hemmx haga aktar facli minn dik li tikritika u tattakka mbghad x'hin tigi ghad-decizjoni tbewweg u tisparixxi. Izda ahna bhala mexxejja responsabbli ta' ghaqda kbira bhal ma' hi l-GRTU ahna kburin li konna minn ta' quddiem nett li lill-Prim Ministru ghidnilu biex jiehu dawk id-decizjonijiet li hemm bzonn li jiehu u li lilna jsibna spalla ma' spalla mieghu. Stajna ghidnilu aqbad il-ftit rizorsi li ghandu pajjizna u qassamhom lin-nies taghna halli nilqghu ahjar ghall-isfidi u nintghogbu t-tnejn li ahna. Imma ahna m'ghamilnix hekk. Ahna lill-Gvern ghidnilu aqbad l-industrija tal-esportazzjoni u ighinha kemm tiflah ghax jekk taghlaq u titlaq il-barra zgur li ma ngibux ohrajn minflokha.

Ghidnilu ighin kemm tiflah lis-settur tat-turizmu ghaliex bhall-industrija dawn iridu jgibu l-eluf minn barra u b'hekk ikunu jistghu jonfquhom fl-industriji li nirraprezentaw ahna. Ghidnilu ighin kemm tiflah lis-settur tal-Back-Office u lill-industrija gdida Knowledge-Based. Ghidnilu investi bil-kbir fl-edukazzjoni u t-tahrig halli n-nies li jinqabdu bla xoghol jigu mharrga halli kif tghaddi l-krizi nsibu lill-haddiema lesti. Ghidna lill-Gvern johrog skemi godda biex l-intraprizi z-zghar waqt li jonqsilhom il-bejgh ikollhom il-krediti biex jinvestu u jizvilluppaw l-intraprizi taghhom. Ghidnilu johrog aktar skemi mill-ETC biex in-negozji z-zghar flok inaqqsu l-haddiema jkollhom l-assistenza halli jzommuhom u jhaddmu nies ohra. Ghidnilu johrog skemi godda ta' progetti kapitali halli ma jhallix l-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni titkisser. Il-Gvern ha hafna mill-pariri taghna u niehdu pjacir nisimghu lill-Prim Ministru jikkonferma repetutament li l-GRTU affaccjat din il-krizi bl-akbar responsabbilita'.

Izda mhux kulhadd ha pjacir. Kien hemm uhud minn go nofsna stess li rribellaw u min haseb li ahna rqadna. Kellna min mar ixewwex lil nies, li suppost huma intelligent, biex iwaqqfu assoccjazzjoniet godda biex minghalihom iharrbtu lill-GRTU. Il-GRTU ilha tezisti tnejn u sittin sena. Rajna minn kollox, assoccjazzjonijiet tac-cekcik twieldu u mietu. Il-GRTU baqghet ghaddejja ghax il-mexxejja taghha dejjem gharfu jaraw l-ewwel u qabel kollox x'inhu l-interess tal-pajjiz u kif l-interess tal-pajjiz jista' jissahhah bl-investiment u x-xoghol tal-intrapriza z-zghira. Kien hemm zmien meta hadd ma kien isemmihom liz-zghar. Issa kulhadd sar pampalun taz-zghar. Anke dawk li sal-bierah kienu jippruvaw iceknuna billi jghidu li ahna nirraprezentaw liz-zghar u huma jirraprezentaw il-kbar, issa qed jaqaw ghar-redikolu billi jmorru bir-riklami fuq it-televixin jippruvaw ihajjru liz-zghar jidhlu maghhom. L-Assoccjazzjoniet tal-kummerc l-ohra issa qed ihossuhom bravi bizejjed biex fejn tidhol l-intrapriza jiltaqghu bil-mohbi u wahedhom, u barra minn hekk ihallu lill-GRTU barra qishom huma biss jifmhu fejn tidhol l-intrapriza.

Ahna dawn it-teatrini ma jdejqunix. Ihammru biss wicc min jaghmilhom. Lanqas ma idejjaqna kliem fil-vojt bhal dak li ntqal dan is-sajf li ghadda meta nfethet kampanja kontra l-ghazla ghaqlija li ghamel il-Gvern fejn id-Direttur Generali taghna Vince Farrugia gie maghzul biex jirraprezenta lis-sidien tal-intraprizi Maltin fil-Kumitat Ewropew Socjali u Ekonomiku. Vince Farrugia huwa persuna maghrufa u stabbilita' sew kemm bhala kelliem ghall-intraprizi  f'Malta u kif ukoll fuq livell Ewropew fil-partecipazzjoni tieghu fin-negozjati u fil-konsultazzjonijiet biex Malta dahlet fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Vince Farrugia wkoll ghen fix-xoghol qawwi dwar ir-rapprezentanza fil-EuroCommerce u fil-UEAPME kif ukoll fid-djalogu socjali u ekonomiku fuq il-livell tal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja, u ghalhekk illum hu rikonoxxut ghal dan. Vince Farrugia hu persuna maghrufa u stmata. F'Pajjizna Vince Farrugia ilu snin twal stabbilit bhala ekonomista u bhala specjalista fuq il-kwistjonijiet kollha li ghandhom x'jaqsmu mall-intraprizi micro, small u medium u kienet ghalhekk oxxenita', ibbazata biss fuq l-ghira u fuq pika l-kampanja li haddiehor fetah kontra din in-nominazzjoni.

Ghal darb'ohra l-GRTU ssaportiet l-inbix kollu ghax kienet taf li wara dan kollu kien hemm skop; mhux li jcekknu lid-Direttur Generali tal-GRTU, mhux li jaghmlu hsara lill-GRTU, imma li jidfnu l-lehen qawwi li l-GRTU tat lin-negozji zghar u medji Maltin. Iva, ghad baqa' f'pajjizna min ma jahmilx jisma' l-lehen qawwi li l-GRTU tat lill-intraprizi zghar Maltin. Vince Farrugia illum ta prestigju gdid lir-rapprezentanza tas-sidien tan-negozji Maltin fl-Ewropa u l-mexxejja tal-GRTU f'pajjizna llum huma stmati aktar minn qatt qabel ghax ma jiddejqux anke akkost li jnaqqsu fil-popolarita' u dak li ghandhom jghidu jghiduh. Id-dwejjaq taghna

hu li mhux il-proposti kollha mahduma bil-ghaqal mill-GRTU jittwetqu minn naha tal-Gvern. Imma ahna ma naqtghux qalbna u ser nibqghu nippressaw kemm nifilhu fuq livell nazzjonali, fuq livell ta' sezzjonijiet u fuq livell ta' lokalitajiet biex il-Gvern u l-awtoritajiet tal-Gvern jistenbhu u jaghtu aktar kaz b'aktar determinazzjoni dak li tghidilhom il-GRTU. Matul l-2010 pressajna u pressajna bil-kbir. Gibna rizultati f'diversi oqsma, bdejna naraw l-ekonomija terga' tibda tirpilja u bil-mod il-mod terga' tibda tikber. Is-Setturi rapprezentati mill-GRTU ghadhom mghaffgin pero' l-aghar issa jidher li ghadda, ahna irsistejna u matul l-2011 ser nirsistu hafna aktar biex il-Gvern jirsisti aktar biex iwettaq il-progetti li nifthemu dwarhom u jwettaq bla dewmien zejjed l-iskemi li jolqtu lill-intraprizi z-zghar. Ser nirsistu biex naraw li s-Small Businesses Act minn kliem sabih fuq bicca karta jsir realta' imhaddma mill-Ministeri kollha. Ser inkunu aktar iebsin mall-Awtoritajiet tal-Gvern li qisu xejn m'hu xejn ghalihom x'hin jigu biex jinponu fuq in-negozji z-zghar.

U lill-Ministri ser inrossuhom aktar. Ma jistax ikun li issa li l-ghawg il-kbir ghadda u li ahna konna irgiel li cedejna l-prijorita' tal-azzjonijiet tal-Gvern li jmorru fuq haddiehor, issa li s-sitwazzjoni giet ghall-ahjar l-interessi tan-negozji z-zghar ta' pajjizna ma jitilghux fuq nett fil-prijorita'. Matul l-2011 ser inkunu iebsin aktar biex inkunu zguri li dawk li ghamlu s-sagrifficji waqt il-maltempata issa ma jigux minsija. Ahna ghandna lesti proposti ghal kull settur u l-Gvern jaf li meta ahna nkellmuh ahna mhux paroli imma nitkellmu bil-fatti f'idejna u b'soluzzjonijiet imfassla sewwa.

Is-sena 2010 zgur li nibqa' niftakarha b'rimors kbir ghall-avveniment ikrah li gara fl-ufficini tal-GRTU fil-11 ta' Marzu li ghadda. Jum verament ta' ghajb fejn persuna li ahna stess konna tajniha l-fiducja taghna dahlet fl-ufficju tad-Direttur Generali bl-aktar mod arroganti u wettqet quddiemi bhala President u l-istaff taghna fil-GRTU l-aktar attakk vjolenti li qatt sar bhalu fuq persuna pubblika fl-istorja ricenti ta' Malta. Kieku jien personalment ma intervjenejtx fizikament, dakinhar kienet tigri tragedja. Dan li niehdu ghax b'kuragg nohorgu ghonqna f'isem in-nies taghna. J'Alla dak li gara fil-11 ta' Marzu 2010 ma jigri qatt f'pajjizna la fil-GRTU u mkien. Nispera f'Alla li l-gustizzja issir ghax dan kien att kriminali li qatt ma ghandu jerga' jissuciedi.

Jiena ghandi fiducja kbira li l-2011 tara lill-pajjizna jimxi il-quddiem b'pass kbir u aktar mghaggel. Irridu nkunu ahna pero' li minflok inwebblu lin-nies, b'dak li hu biss holm, nirsistu biex nahdmu u nipproducu aktar. Ahna rridu nsahhuh lill-pajjizna. Ahna rridu nahdmu ghall-pajjizna. Ix-Xoghol ma jigix bil-krib u billi neqirdu. Lanqas m'hu ser jikber l-infiq bl-addocc u bis-sussidji. Billi nokorbu u nsemmu dejjem l-ghawg mhux ser naslu. Il-GRTU mhux ser taqa' ghat-tentazzjoni li noqghodu biss innewwhu, nikkritikaw u nimmarcjaw imbghad x'hin nigu ghad-decizjonijiet iebsa u ghas-soluzzjonijiet ingibu elf skuza.

Min ghandu agenda ta' ghawg u krib mhux habib taghna. Min irid ixammar, ikun pozittiv, irid jahdem u jipproponi kif ser inkunu ahjar u kif ser inkabbru l-gid ta' pajjizna, postu maghna. Ghandna wisa' ghal kulhadd. Is-sena li ghaddiet kellna Kunsill Ezekuttiv tajjeb hafna bis-sahha tal-akbar Elezzjoni li kellna f'hafna snin. Kien Kunsill li hadem hafna u nixtieq nirringrazzja lill-Kunsill kollu mhux biss tal-fiducja shiha u konsistenti li urew fija u fid-Direttur Generali imma fuq kollox ghal hidma kbira li wettqu. Nirringrazzja minn qalbi lill-istaff kapaci kollu tal-GRTU kif ukoll lit-team formidabbli tal-kumpanija sussidjarja taghna

Green MT li llum hi l-Iskema Nazzjonali li timmaniggja l-iskart riciklabbli f'isem il-komunita' tan-negozji. Nirringrazzja wkoll lill-membri kollha tal-Kumitati tal-GRTU tax-xoghol enormi li ghamlu matul l-2010.

Ftit tal-gimghat ilu bdilna l-Istatut biex nizguraw li l-Kunsill ikollu aktar kontinwita' u nkunu nistghu naghzlu bi kwietna kull sena sitt minn nies li jsahhu t-tmexxija tal-Kunsill. Ghas-sena d-diehla ghandna Kunsill ta' tmintax -il membru li fih ukoll demm gdid u nies ta' esperjenzi li qabel ma kellnix fil-Kunsill. Kull membru tal-Kunsill Ezekuttiv hu kapaci fil-qasam tieghu jew taghha u jiena cert li l-Kunsill Ezekkuttiv 2011 flimkien mad-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia u mal-istaff kollu li llum ghandna ser ikomplu jsahhu bil-kbir dak kollu li bnejna s'issa u li jilqghu b'hila l-isfidi godda li zgur li ser ittina l-2011.

B'qalbi qawwija ghas-sena li gejja fuqna nawguralkom ilkoll sena tajba ta' xoghol u gid.

Nirringrazzjakom li gejtu ghal din il-Laqgha u nistedinkom biex tinghaqdu mieghi ghal bibita' li l-Kunsill qed joffrilkom.

Paul Abela

President

Din zgur li kienet sena iebsa mhux biss fuq livell lokali imma aktar u aktar fuq livell ewropew, l-aktar fiz-zona Ewro. Dak li gara fid-dinja mill-bidu ta' l-2008 l'hawn qatt qabel ma rajna bhalu. L-Unjoni Ewropeja li ahna llum parti mportanti minnha tirraprezenta regjun b'sahhtu fid-dinja u meta inqalghet il-krizi mondjali fis-sistema finanzjarja bl-effetti koroh taghha fuq l-ekonomiji kollha, l-Unjoni Ewropeja sabet li ma kelliex is-sistemi mehtiega biex tilqa' ghall-krizi ta' dak il-livell meta l-Unjoni Ewropeja bdiet titkellem fuq cifra ta' eluf u biljuni jigifieri miljuni ta' miljuni ta' ewro bhala programm ta' Investiment biex tkun salvata s-sistema finanzjarja u ekonomika. Dawn kienu cifri li qatt qabel hadd fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ma kien holom li jsemmihom.

Malta giet milquta hazin ukoll b'din il-mewga enormi ta' inkwiet finanzjarju u ekonomiku ghax hekk kif bdew ifallu l-banek u istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji kbar u jisparixxu u jintghasru r-riservi ta' hafna negozji kbar mad-dinja kollha, beda wkoll mal-ewwel jonqos ir-ritmu ekonomiku fil-pajjizi li ahna ninnegozjaw maghhom u n-negozju mondjali ha tizbita enormi li qaleb ta' taht fuq hafna u hafna ekonomiji li sa ftit qabel hasbu li kienu b'sahhithom. Din mewga kiefra li r-riperkussjonijiet taghha baqghu jidwu ghal aktar minn sentejn u l-impatt issa matul l-2010 inhass fuq l-ekonomiji ewropej li kellhom djun Nazzjonali enormi bhala proporzjon ta' dak li kapaci jipproducu kull sena. Pajjizi enormi qrib taghna sabu ruhhom f'diffikultajiet kbar. Dawn huma l-pajjizi li ahna rridu nbighulhom u minnhom irridu t-turisti u l-kummerc taghna ghall-portijiet u ghal hafna mix-xoghol li Malta trid minn barra biex issahhah u zzomm il-pilastri li fuqhom hi msejsa l-ekonomija taghna u li minnhom jiddependu direttament l-ghixien ta' eluf kbar ta' haddiema Maltin u ta' hafna intraprizi zghar li jghixu minn fuq ix-xoghol u l-infiq ta' dawn l-intraprizi u l-infiq tal-impjegati taghhom.

Bhal kull ekonomija fl-Ewropa, bejn l-2008 u l-2010, Malta kellha tiehu mizuri li qatt qabel ma hadet bhalhom. Il-GRTU hi kburija li matul dawn is-snin iebsin ahna tajna il-kontribuzzjoni shiha taghna biex aktar milli nimlew l-irjus u ngergru biss, qisna nghixu f'dinja ghalina, ahna konna minn ta' quddiem nett bi programmi li jirrifflettu l-attwalita' ekonomika u bbazati fuq il-prijoritajiet li l-pajjiz irid jaffaccja. Ghalkemm sikwit inkunu mizinterpretati minn nies li suppost jafu aktar, ahna qatt ma nsostnu skemi jew tberbiq tal-Gvern fuq progetti, sussidji, jew spalpaljar li m'huwiex sostenibbli u li ma jwassalx biex l-infiq u d-dhul tal-Gvern ikun fuq bazi strutturata sewwa. Ahna dejjem ipproponejna skemi li jinkoraggixxu l-produttivita', innaqsu t-taxxi fuq min irid jahdem u jistinka ha jkabbar il-prodott Nazzjonali u jintaxxa l-aktar fejn m'hemmx tant inizjattiva u fejn l-infiq jew l-investiment mhux tant produttiv imma aktar ta' kapricc jew ta' spekulazzjoni. Il-programm taghna kien u ghadu li l-ewwel u qabel kollox tissahhah is-sinsla ekonomika ta' pajjizna, jigifieri jitnaqqas id-deficit tal-Gvern, jitrazzan id-dejn Nazzjonali u jitnaqqas l-izbilanc kbir li Malta ghandha ma' barra. Dan kollu f'kuntest li n-negozji Maltin, l-aktar dawk imsejjha micro u small li llum jirraprezentaw 98% tal-intraprizi kollha Maltin ikunu jistghu jikbru billi jinvestu, jhaddmu, jirriformaw u jirrinnovaw biex inkomplu dejjem insahhu l-gid Nazzjonali.

Il-GRTU ma ddejqitx li mill-bidu nett tal-krizi taghti pariri lill-Prim Ministru biex jaghmel dak kollu possibli biex l-ewwel u qabel kollox isalva lill-intraprizi li jesportaw u li jara li fl-anqas zmien possibli l-haddiema kollha li tilfu l-impjieg u li kienu fuq short working week jergghu jiddahlu ghax-xoghol fl-inqas zmien possibli. Il-GRTU kienet ukoll minn ta' quddiem nett li nsistiet li l-Gvern jaghmel dak kollu li hu possibli biex insahhu t-turizmu anke fi zminijiet difficli.  Hu mportanti ghalina li ghan-negozji kollha Maltin il-qligh li jigi minn barra ma jitnaqqasx ghaliex mhux biss dan huwa s-sostenn ewlieni ta' eluf ta' intraprizi imma wkoll ghaliex it-twessigh tal-bilanc tal-pagamenti ma' barra jiddebolixxi l-ekonomija Maltija u jaghmilha hafna aktar difficli biex il-Gvern isostni s-suq intern Malti. Il-GRTU dejjem fehmet li jkun inutli li l-Gvern isostni s-suq intern u jiddebolixxi l-bilanc ekonomiku ma' barra ghax is-sahha tal-ekonomija domestika tkun b'sahhitha meta l-qligh mhux ikun artificjali ghax imsejjes fuq id-djun tal-Gvern imma ghax gej minn qligh li l-intraprizi kapaci jigbdu minn barra. Kien ghalhekk li anke fiz-zmien ta' krizi li l-GRTU   nsistiet bl-aktar mod preciz u bi proposti mahduma sew li l-enfazi tkun fuq skemi ta' assistenza lill-intraprizi Maltin kemm kbar, kemm zghar, kemm micro u mill-oqsma kollha biex matul il-perjodu ta' nuqqas ta' attivita' ekonomika kkawzata mill-krizi, huma jkunu jistghu jikkoncentraw fuq progetti ta' investimenti godda, bdil ta' sistemi u riformi ohra li setghu jwettqu sakemm tghaddi l-krizi u jergghu jkunu f'pozizzjoni li jikkompetu.

Ghall-Grazzja t'Alla Malta bl-isforzi ta' hafna ma ntlaqtitx hazin bhal ma ntlaqtu pajjizi ohra pero' l-GRTU jiddispjaciha ferm li ghalkemm il-Gvern accetta hafna mill-proposti taghha hafna ohrajn baqghu ma gewx imwettqa' jew gew imwettqa' b'hafna dewmien u b'hafna taqtigh ta' qalb. Ahna hdimna hafna u m'ghandnix dubju li kieku llum il-Gvern semgha iktar minnha llum Malta qeda f'pozizzjoni ahjar. Hu ghalhekk hafna minn nies taghna m'humiex qeghdin f'pozizzjoni biex jaffacjaw l-impatt tal-krizi kif xtaqna u ppjanajna ahna u li issa ahna qed nirsistu li din is-sena l-Gvern ikollu aktar pjan komprensiv ta' kif ser jiffaccja l-perjodu iebes ta' wara l-krizi, perjodu li issa dehlin fih. Il-GRTU hadmet hafna u qed tahdem bla waqfien. Kellna laqghat mall-Prim Ministru kemm bhala mexxejja tal-GRTU kif ukoll bhala Kunsill Ezekuttiv shih, ippartecipajna bis-shih f'kull forum u attivita' ta' konsultazzjoni u tajna r-reazzjoni dettaljata taghna ghal kull skema u proposta. Hadna sehem attiv fl-MCESD u fuq il-Bord tal-Malta Enterprise u hdimna fuq livell settorali settur b'settur b'laqghat kontinwi mall-Ministri individwali u mas-Segretarji Permanenti specjalment mas-Segretarju Permanenti responsabbli mill-Finanzi u l-Ekonomija u l-Investiment. Zgur li hadd mill-Ministri, mis-Segretarji Parlamentari, Segretarji Permanenti tal-Ministeri, Chairmen u Chief Officers ta' l-Awtoritajiet ma jista' jghid illi l-GRTU ma kinitx l-organizazzjoni li matul dan il-perjodu iebes ma kinitx fuq ta' quddiem nett bhala numru ta' laqghat, proposti u prezentazzjoni ta' soluzzjonijiet ghall-problemi mqajjma. Il-GRTU dan ghamlitu bis-sahha tad-diskussjonijiet interni fuq livell ta' Kunsill Ezekuttiv, fuq livell ta' Kumitat tas-Sezzjonijiet, bis-sahha tal-questionaires u l-komunikazzjoni diretta tal-membri u fuq kollox bis-sahha ta' numru kbir ta' laqghat li l-GRTU zzomm kemm il-Belt kif ukoll fil-Lokalitajiet.

Illum il-GRTU hi organizzazzjoni tassew partecipattiva fejn aktar u aktar qed nikkoncentraw fuq dak li jridu l-membri u fuq informazzjoni jew li gejja dirett minn barra jew mghotija lilna mill-MEUSAC jew mill-konsultazzjonijiet mall-Ministri. Illum m'ghadux iz-zmien li titkellem fil-vojt u tgerger biss. Illum ghandna l-mezzi biex l-informazzjoni ngibuha, nanalizzawha u fejn m'ghandnix il-kapacitajiet bizzejjed nuzaw l-expertise tal-ghaqdiet Ewropej li maghhom ahna affiljati.

Fil-Laqghat mall-membri taghna u permezz tas-sistema ta' komunikazzjoni interattiva' li llum ghandna mall-membri ahna nghaddu l-informazzjoni u niehdu r-reazzjonijiet biex jghinuna nfasslu proposti ta' sustanza. F'dan il-kuntest qed naghmlu uzu tajjeb hafna ta' l-informazzjoni u l-analizi professjonali li kontinwament nircievu mill-Kumitati diversi li jannalizzaw probemi partikolari fi hdan il-EuroCommerce u l-UEAPME, iz-zewg organizzazzjonijiet Ewropej li fihom ahna attivi. Ma jkunx possibli ghalina bhala organizzazzjoni f'pajjiz zghir b'rizorsi limitati kemm ta' flus kif ukoll ta' man power li kieku ma tkunx il-partecipazzjoni taghna f'dawn l-organizazzjonijiet. Sfortunatament ahna ma nistghux nattendu hafna mill-laqghat pero nahdmu hafna fuq id-dokumentazzjoni li nircievu u ninvolvu l-membri skond l-expertise li jkollna bzonn u skond is-setturi.

In-Numru ta' membri ta' kwalita' fil-GRTU li llum japprezzaw ix-xoghol professjonali li taghmel il-GRTU qieghed dejjem jikber. Il-gazzetta elettronika taghna, l-GRTU NewSTRING, illum lahqet kwalita' li hija apprezzata minn hafna u tinqara mhux biss mill-membri taghna imma ukoll mill-ufficjali ta' pozizzjoni gholja f'kull Dipartiment u Awtorita' u minn hafna ohrajn li m'humiex imsiehba. Hija hasra li ghadna mhux qed naghmlu bizzejjed back up work biex nigbdu lejna aktar membri billi nies ohra ikunu aktar infurmati bix-xoghol siwi u professjonali li llum aktar minn qatt qabel dahlet ghalih il-GRTU. Dan ma jfissirx li membri godda mhux qed jidhlu fil-GRTU anzi bi pjacir nghidu li dahlu 199 membri godda li l-bicca l-kbira minnhom dahlu precizament bil-laqghat ta' informazzjoni u konsultazzjoni li l-GRTU qed twettaq fost il-membri u wkoll ghaliex aktar intraprizi qed japprezzaw illi llum il-GRTU m'hijiex organizazzjoni li tgerger biss imma aktar u aktar li tahdem, tipproponi u toffri servizzi lill-membri bi prezz u bi specjalizzazzjoni li mhux kapaci isibuhom bnadi ohra. Dan fil-fatt hu l-bazi tal-GRTU tal-lum. Dan hu li qed igieghel lill-ghaqdiet l-ohra li jirraprezentaw lill-intrapriza u l-kummerc li bl-aktar mod sfaccat jattakkaw u jfixxklu l-hidma tal-GRTU. Pero' dan lilna ma jaqtalniex qalbna, anzi meta l-kompetizzjoni qed tinkwieta bina u tiftah ghalina hu sinjal car li ahna qeghdin fit-triq it-tajba.

Illum il-problemi mhux biss trid tkun tafhom, izda trid tkun kapaci tifimhom, trid tkun kapaci tannalizzhom u tkun kapaci tipproponi bidliet u alternattivi li jkunu aktar ta' fejda ghas-setturi ta' negozji li nirraprezentaw. Ahna barra fuq livell Nazzjonali u settorali dan ix-xoghol il-GRTU qed isir ukoll fuq livell lokali. Illum il-GRTU sahhet bi kbir ix-xoghol taghha fil-lokalita'; qed insegwu aktar mill-qrib dak li jsehh fil-Kunsilli Lokali u fuq proposti originati kemm fuq livell Lokali kif ukoll minn Awtoritajiet bhal Transport Malta u l-MEPA. F'dan il-kuntest nitkellmu ma' l-awtoritajiet, mal-Kunsilli Lokali u mall-membri taghna direttament biex l-interessi tal-membri taghna jkunu imharrsa f'kull lokalita'. Il-lista ta' lokalitajiet illi ahna konna nvoluti fihom b'mod dirett fejn ir-raprezentanza taghna kienet mehtiega jinkludi:

Il-Belt: l-GRTU kontinwament involuta f'laqghat ma' l-Awtoritajiet ikkoncernati fejn jidhol xoghol ta' restawr ta' swar, xoghol ta' tisbih fit-toroq, il-progett ta' bieb il-Belt li bi hsiebu jiehu madwar tlett snin u diversi issues ohra fejn jidhlu sidien li l-business taghhom ser jintlaqat minhabba dawn ix-xoghlijiet. Bhalissa l-GRTU qieghda f'laqghat ma' l-Awtoritajiet ikkoncernati sabiex tilhaq l-ahjar ftehim ghas-sidien tal-gabbani f'bieb il-Belt li ser jintlaqtu direttament bil-progett ta' Bieb il-Belt. Issues ohra li qeghdin jigu diskussi bhalissa huma l-parking u l-hinijiet u l-granet ghal distribution of goods fil-Belt.

Naxxar: Il-GRTU ltaqghet mas-sidien tal-hwienet sabiex tiddiskuti maghhom proposta mill-Kunsill Lokali tan-Naxxar ghal tisbih f'toroq madwar il-Parrocca, b'parti mill-Pjazza issir pedonali u tibdil fid-direzzjoni tat-traffiku. Il-GRTU wriet l-pre-okkupazzjoni taghha dwar kif dan il-progett ser jolqot l-Kommunita' Kummercjali u ghaliex l-Kunsill ma kkonsultax maghha bhal ma jaghmlu Kunsilli Lokali ohra.

Wara diversi laqghat li l-GRTU zammet mall-membri taghha gie deciz li tigi mibghuta ittra ta' oggezzjoni lill-MEPA u ittra ohra lill-Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) ghan-nom tas-sidien tal-hwienet membri tal-GRTU gewwa n-Naxxar.

L-GRTU m'hijiex kontra progetti bhal dawn sakemm ma jkunux ta' detriment ghall-Kommunita' Kummercjali. Fil-fehma tal-GRTU din il-proposta ser tkun ta' detriment kbir ghall-Kommunita' Kummercjali fiz-zona tal-parrocca tan-Naxxar. Il-GRTU hi nfurmata li jekk il-progett jibqa' ghaddej; bosta stabbilimenti ser jispiccaw sabiex jaghlqu l-hwienet taghhom ghaliex l-operat mhux ser jibqa' vijabbli ghalihom minhabba l-problema ta' nuqqas ta' parking u n-nuqqas ta' access ghall-klijenti u konsumaturi bil-vetturi taghhom.

Il-GRTU hi nfurmata li  l-MEPA  ser tinvolvi lill-GRTU b'kull process dwar din l-applikazzjoni. Il-Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) infurmat lill-GRTU  li l-korrispondenza kienet ser tigi pprezentata lill-bord li hu nkarigat minn dawn il-progetti sabiex tingibed l-attenzjoni qabel ma jsiru aktar zviluppi dwar din l-applikazzjoni.

L-GRTU ltaqghet ma' l-Onorevoli Dr. Chris Said u l-Onorevoli Dr. Jason Azzopardi sabiex izzommhom aggornati dwar dak li qieghed jigri. Dwar din l-issue l-GRTU ghandha s-support ta' 357 resident li huma kontra dan il-progett.

M'Xlokk: Il-GRTU kienet minn ta' quddiem sabiex ix-xoghol fuq il-promenade jimmaterjalizza. Issa wara hafna snin ta' diskussjoni mall-partijiet kollha kkoncernati dan il-progett  tlesta. L-GRTU issa qieghda tahdem fuq l-ahjar ftehim fejn il-promenade jkun jista' jitgawda kemm mis-sidien tar-restoranti, il-bejjiegha tal-monti, is-sajjieda kif ukoll ir-residenti. 

Sliema: Il-GRTU kontinwament izzomm diversi laqghat mall-Kunsill Lokali, Kuntratturi, OHSA, Transport Malta, Wardens u l-Pulizija ta' dan il-lokal rigward xoghol ta' kostruzzjoni sabiex tilhaq l-ahjar arrangement bl-inqas impatt fuq is-sidien. Mhux facli li f'lokal bhal dan b'ammont ta' hwienet u nies jahdmu u ohrajn li jzuruh li ssib l-ahjar arrangament. Hafna laqghat ohra saru separatament rigward traffic management.

Safi: Il-GRTU zammet laqgha kordjali hafna mall-Kunsill Lokali dwar xoghlijiet li saru fi Triq Valletta Zurrieq. Ix-xoghol fi Triq Valletta tlesta u l-GRTU giet infurmata li l-Kunsill talab li Triq San Pawl issir one way permanenti u hekk fil-fatt sar minghajr biss lanqas  ma giet ikkonsultata. Il-GRTU talbet laqgha ohra sabiex tiddiskuti fid-dettal din id-decizjoni u l-impatt li jista' jkollha fuq il-Komunita' Kummercjali.

Mellieha: Il-GRTU kellha diversi laqghat mall-Kunsill Lokali ta' din il-lokalita' dwar proposta maghmula mill-istess Kunsill sabiex Triq Borg Olivier issir pedonali. Din il-proposta saret bil-ghan li jitnaqqsu diversi problemi minn din it-triq fosthom l-kongestjoni tat-traffiku, parkegg, hadd ta' merkanzija u t-tniggiz li kien qed jigi kkawzat mill-ammont ta' vetturi li juzaw din it-triq. Il-GRTU ma opponietx ghal din l-proposta izda bhala l-organizazzjoni li tirraprezenta l-maggorparti tas-sidien tan-negozji f'dan il-lokal talbet sabiex din il-proposta tigi diskussa internament l-ghaliex m'hijiex xi proposta facli u jista' jkollha effett negattiv fuq n-negozzji.

Wara li l-GRTU iddiskutiet mall-membri taghha rrizulta li jekk din il-proposta timmaterjalizza, s-sidien ibatu telf fil-bejgh. Il-GRTU kkommessjonat survey mall-membri taghha u rrizulta li dawn assolutament ma jaqblux ma din l-proposta u proposti ohra mressqa. Saret laqgha ohra mall-Kunsill sabiex jigi diskuss fid-dettal s-survey u tigi diskussa l-ahjar soluzzjoni li tissodisfa l-partijiet koncernati. Laqghat ohra mall-Kunsill u awtoritajiet ohra kkoncernati saru dwar xoghol ta' kostruzzjoni fi Triq il-Kbira.

Swieqi: Il-GRTU iltaqghet mall-Kunsill Lokali fejn giet diskussa l-problema tat-traffic management fil-pjazza (Triq l-Uqija). Il-GRTU enfasizzat li kemm is-sidien tal-hwienet kif ukoll l-impjegati ghandhom jevitaw li juzaw il-pjazza ghal parking u l-haddiema tal-Bank juzaw il-parkegg provdut mill-istess Bank b'arrangament li sar mall-GRTU.

Il-GRTU talbet l-intervent tal-Onorevoli Dr. Chris Said sabiex tinsab soluzzjoni dwar dan. Sadanittant gie issugerit li jintuza' aktar l-Luxol Grounds ghal parkegg sakemm jintlahaq arrangament iehor. Ghandha tigi organizzata laqgha mall-Kunsill Lokali ta' Pembroke sabiex tigi diskussa bicca art li llum taghmel parti mis-Swieqi u Pembroke sabiex tigi organizzata f'parkegg u sservi bhala dahla principali ghall-Lokal tas-Swieqi.

Il-GRTU ghandha terga tiltaqa' mall-Kunsill sabiex tiddiskuti s-sistema tas-CCTV li giet installata bi prova sabiex jigu kkontrollati abbuzi li kienu qed isiru fi Triq l-Uqija. Kulhadd qabel ma' din is-sistema basta ma tkunx ta' detriment ghas sidien. Sadanitttant bdiet bi prova s-sistema ta' timed parking approvata mill-GRTU ghall-Triq l-Ibragg u Triq l-Uqija.

San Giljan/Paceville: Inzammu diversi laqghat mall-Kunsill Lokali ta' San Giljan u entitajiet ohra kkoncernati bhal l-RID, Wardens, Pulizija, OHSA, Kuntratturi u Public Transport fejn gie diskuss fid-dettal l-progett ta' Pender Place issa li wasal sabiex jibda l-operat tieghu fuq it-tieni fazi. Progett mill-isbah u grazzi ghal-laqghat kontinwi dan il-progett qieghed isir bl-inqas inkonvinjent possibli ghas-sidien tal-hwienet u ohrajn. Laqghat ohra saru sabiex jigi organizzat it-traffic management fuq xoghlijiet ohra relatati ma' xoghlijiet ta' servizzi ohra f'diversi toroq ohra f'San Giljan u Paceville.

Ta' Xbiex: Il-GRTU zammet diversi laqghat mall-Kunsill Lokali sabiex jigi diskuss fid-dettal t-traffic management u r-residential parking scheme. Il-GRTU hadet hsieb torganizza laqghat mall-membri taghha sabiex jintlahaq l-ahjar arrangament.

Matul is-sena saru laqghat ohra ghas-sidien tan-negozji fil-Gharghur, Naxxar, B'Kara, Mosta fejn gew diskussi u saru presentations fuq diversi issues fosthom:

• It-Trasport Pubbliku; kif ser jaffettwa l-Lokal tieghek
• Konsumatur; id-drittijiet u r-responsabiltajiet
• Ambjent; separazzjoni u gbir ta' skart mill-lokal
• Kummerc; il-Licenzja – d-drittijiet u l-obligazzjonijiet
• Skemi rigward Krediti ta' Taxxa; skema ta' 40% kreditu ta' taxxa ghal kumpaniji li jimpjegaw inqas minn ghaxar impjegati.
• ETC; Programm li joffri ghajnuna dwar l-impjiegi
• Hatra ta' Kumitat

Ix-xoghol importanti jibqa' dak tar-rapprezentanza tas-Sezzjonijiet fejn il-problemi ma jonqsu qatt. Fost dawk is-sezzjonijiet li dwarhom il-GRTU kellha tiehu azzjonijiet aktar deciziva kien hemm dawk tal-Petol Stations, Gas Distributors, Sidien ta' Farmaciji, Sidien tal-Water Bowsers, Waste Carriers, gabbani f'bieb il-Belt, Bicciera, VRT Stations fost bosta ohrajn.

Attivita' kbira li ghalija dahlet il-GRTU u li matul is-sena li ghaddiet kibret bil-kbir kienet dik li ghandha x'taqsam ma' l-immaniggjar ta' l-iskart. Din hi problema enormi li s-sidien ta' l-intraprizi kollha riedu jkunu konxji taghha u fuq kollox ikunu kapaci jamministraw minghajr piz finanzjarju esagerat. Kienet il-GRTU u l-GRTU wahedha li fehmet id-dimensjoni ta' din il-problema u fehmet kemm kien se jkun difficli biex l-intraprizi zghar Maltin igorru l-piz kollu ta' l-ispejjez ghall-gbir tal-materjali kollha li huma responsabbli ghalih u li jitfghu fuq is-suq u li eventwalment jispiccaw fuq il-waste stream. Kienet il-GRTU li fehmet mal-ewwel li kienu l-intraprizi kummercjali li riedu jaghmlu tajjeb ghall-ispiza enormi biex il-materjal li jingabar jittiehed f'facilita' li tkun ekonomikament vijabli u li ghalhekk ma tghabbix hlasijiet esagerati li l-intraprizi zghar taghna ma jifilhux ghalihom. Ftit kienu dawk li apprezzaw il-kobor ta' din il-problema u kif setghet din iddisprat lil hafna sidien ta' intraprizi specjalment importaturi u produtturi kieku l-GRTU ma dahlitx ghalihom u refghet hi r-responsabbilita' li tigwidhom. Organizzazzjonijiet ohra li jirraprezentaw il-kummerc u l-industrija, l-ewwel qaghdu izekzku u wara intefghu ifixxklu biex issa qed jipprovaw jikkompetu.

Il-GRTU baqghet ghaddejja, mhux biss waqfet skema hi stess f'isem il-membri imma ukoll sirna r-rapprezentanti ewlenin tas-settur kummercjali Malti fis-setturi kollha mal-awtoritajiet biex is-sistema tithaddem u tithaddem sewwa u jitwaqffu l-istituzzjonijiet u inhargu r-regolamenti u jitwettqu l-progetti u jsir l-enforcement necessarju biex  pajjizna, jigifieri l-Intraprizi Maltin, mhux biss ma jgorrx piz aktar milli jiflah imma wkoll ma jehilx penalitajiet imposti mill-Kummissjoni Ewropeja ghaliex ahna ninqabdu f'infringments tad-direttivi Ewropej. Il-volumi ta' kitba, is-sieghat ta' laqghat, ix-xoghol u l-energija li taghti l-GRTU f'dan is-settur m'ghandu l-ebda paragun ma dak li jaghmel haddiehor anke jekk jingabar dak kollu li jaghmlu l-organizzazzjonijiet l-ohra kollha f'daqqa.

Bizzejjed nghidu li llum Green MT il-Waste Management and Compliance Scheme li l-GRTU waqfet f'isem il-komunita' kummercjali Maltija llum hi responsabbli ghal gbir ta' skart riciklabbli minn 41 Kunsill Lokali li fihom jghixu l-fuq minn 68% tal-popolazzjoni Maltija. Sa l-ahhar ta' Settembru 2010, l-Iskema kellha 75 membru li bejniethom poggew fuq is-suq Malti 8714 -il tunnellata ta' Skart tal-Ippakeggjar. F'Awwissu ta' din is-sena bi sforzi kbar mill-GRTU nhargu l-applikazzjonijiet ghall-ezenzjonijiet mill-Eko-Kontribuzzjoni. Green MT applikat ghan-nom ta' 29 membru u dawn illum qed igawdu minn ezenzjoni mill-Eko-Kontribuzzjoni.

L-Iskema gabret il-fuq minn 14,600 tunnellata ta' skart riciklabbli fis-sena 2010. Dan huwa l-ikbar ammont li Skema Awtorizzata qatt gabret gewwa pajjizna. L-Iskema kienet l-ikbar kontributur ta' Skart Riciklabbli fil-facilita ta' Sant Antnin fejn ikkontribwixxiet 78% tal-ammont kollu li dahal f'dan l-impjant. Dan kollu jawgura li fis-sena li gejja nkomplu nsahhu dak li bnejna bi ftehim mal-Awtoritajiet tal-Gvern u anke ma' Ministeri kkoncernati.

Wara li Green MT issottomettiet lill-MEPA r-rapporti kollha mehtiega, u ssodisfat il-kriterji mehtiega, il-permessi tal-operat ghas-snin 2011 u 2012 hargu fl-20 ta' Dicembru 2010.

Xoghol kbir li ahna kburin hafna li wettaqna matul l-2010 hu dak li ghandu x'jaqsam ma' l-Unjoni Ewropeja. Illum id-decizjonijiet il-kbar li jolqtu n-negozji kollha fl-Unjoni Ewropeja fosthom ukoll lin-negozji Maltin, fil-bicca l-kbira tal-kazi m'ghadhomx jittiehdu fil-parlament u fl-istituzzjonijiet Maltin imma qed jittiehdu aktar u aktar fuq livell Ewropew. Ghalhekk huwa importanti li Malta mhux biss ikollha rapprezentanza permanenti fi Brussell b'sahhitha u kapaci, izda wkoll in-nies li jirrapprezentaw lil Malta fl-oqsma kollha li jolqtu l-ekonomija u l-kummerc iridu jkunu nfurmati sewwa fuq x'inhu fl-ahjar interess tan-negozjanti Maltin u fuq x' inhu fl-ahjar interess ta' l-SMEs Maltin. Illum l-EU Desk tal-GRTU hi bicca importantissima mill-GRTU ghaliex izzomm kuntatt kontinwu kemm mall-UEAPME kif ukoll mall-EuroCommerce u nahdmu kontinwament biex naghtu il-perspettiva ta' l-ekonomija Maltija u tan-negozji zghar Maltin fuq il-lista ma tispicca qatt ta' issues, direttivi u regolamentazzjoni gdida li kontinwament tigi fuq l-Agenda. Ahna dan naghmluh b'kitba u partecipazzjoni diretta f' tahdidiet kemm fuq livell lokali permezz tal-MEUSAC u permezz tar-raprezentanza taghna mall-Ministri individwali kif ukoll permezz ta' rapprezentanza qawwija fi Brussell. Ghalkemm sibna tfixkil kbir u b'riha kbira ta' ghira u ta' invidja milli fuq bazi ta' argumenti sodi, il-GRTU rnexxielha zzomm il-pozizzjoni li bi dritt akkwistat meta Malta dahlet fl-Unjoni Ewropeja, dik illi izomm wiehed miz-zewg postijiet li Malta ghandha fil-Kunsill Ewropew Socjali u Ekonomiku (EESC) u li jirraprezentaw lis-sidien ta' l-intraprizi Maltin kollha.

Il-GRTU ghal numru ta' snin kellha lil Sylvia Gauci bhala wahda minn dawn ir-raprezentanti. Sylvia Gauci qdiet hidmitha b'hila kbira u mhux biss ghamlet gieh lill-GRTU u lis-sidien ta' l-intraprizi kollha Maltin, imma hu ta' sodisfazzjon kbir ghalina li llum Sylvia Gauci tokkupa il-post ta' Segretarju Ezekkuttiv tal-MCESD. Wara li Sylvia Gauci temmet il-mandatt taghha fl-EESC il-Kunsill tal-GRTU hass li fic-cirkonstanzi tal-krizi ekonomika li l-Ewropa affacjat u fid-dawl tal-problemi kbar li se jigu diskussi fuq livell Ewropew biex l-ekonomija Ewropeja titjieb u jkun jista' jsir programm komprensiv biex l-Unjoni Ewropeja tilqa' ghal din il-krizi. Kien ghaqli li Malta tibat fl-EESC f'isem is-sidien tan-negozji Maltin l-aktar persuna kapaci li nistghu noffru bhala GRTU. Il-Kunsill Ezekkuttiv tal-GRTU qabel unanimaent li jinnomina lill-istess Direttur Generali tal-GRTU biex jokkupa ukoll din il-pozizzjoni. Ghalkemm il-Kunsill fehem li din il-kariga se tghabbi piz kbir iehor fuq id-Direttur Generali, il-Kunsill kien tal-fehma li kien biss permezz ta' kandidatura b'sahhitha f'dan il-livell li dan il-post ma jintilifx u li tibqa' il-GRTU l-organizzazzjoni Maltija li zzomm it-tieni post f'isem is-sidien tal-intraprizi Maltin fl-EESC u jkun assigurat li l-lehen in-negozji u intraprizi micro, small u medji Maltin f'dan il-Parlament Ewropew tal-imsiehba socjali ma jintilifx anzi jissahhah b'raprezentanza aktar qawwija.

Illum bis-sahha tar-rapprezentanza ta' Vince Farrugia fl-EESC is-sidien tan-negozji Maltin ghandhom post fil-Bureau ta' Group I (li jirraprezenta sidien ta' intraprizi), fil-Bureau tas-sezzjoni INT(is-sezzjoni li ghandha x' taqsam mas-Suq Intern Ewropew tal-Kummerc u Kompetizzjoni u Affarijiet tal-Konsumatur) kif ukoll shubija; fis-Sezzjoni ECO (is-Sezzjoni li ghandha x' taqsam ma' Affariiiet Ekonomici, Finanzi, Sistemi Monetarji) u wkoll fis-CCMI (is-Sezzjoni li ghandha x'taqsam ma' l-Innovazzjoni fis-Setturi Produttivi) u fil-kategorija' tat-Trasport kif ukoll rapprezentanza fis-Sezzjoni TEN(is-Sezzjoni dwar Trasport. Logistika, Energija u Ambjent) u wkoll rapprezentanza effettiva f'numru ta' Study Groups fuq issues ta' importanza ghal SMEs u ghaz-Zona Ewro. Fl-EESC, id-Direttur Generali llum akkwista diga' livell gholi ta' rikonixxment mhux biss fil-partecipazzjoni tieghu fid-diversi Assembleji u Fori ta' l-EESC imma wkoll bis-sahha tal-papers u kitbiet f'oqsma bhal m'huma l-programmi tar-riformi, it-tishieh ta' l-SMEs u kwistjonijet u issues Makro-Ekonomici li jolqtu direttament lill-intrapriza u l-izvilupp ekonomiku u l-izbilanci fiz-zona Ewro kollha.

Illum bix-xoghol kollu tal-GRTU u bis-sostenn kontinwu li l-GRTU taghti lill-Gvern u lill-Awtoritajiet, ghalkemm dawn mhux dejjem huma pronti li jwettqu dak kollu li tressaq b'qawwa u hila l-GRTU, Malta fi kliem stess tad-Direttur Generali ghall-Affarijiet Ekonmici u Finanzjarji tal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja Malta kellha:" A stronger than expected rebound in 2010…". Skond l-istess rapport tal-Kummissjoni l-impatt totali ta' ricessjoni dik tal-2009 l-ekonomija Maltija ckienet b'2%, rata relattivament baxxa hdejn dak li soffrew ohrajn ikbar minnha fl-UE u baxxa wkoll meta mqabbel ma' dak li gara fil-kumplament tal-Euro-Area fejn il-medja tat-telf ekonomiku kienet ta' 4.1%. It-telf il-kbir ta' l-ekonomija Maltija kien fil-livell ta' l-esportazzjoni u fil-waqgha fil-livell ta' investiment f'dawk li huma magni u apparat ghall-produzzjoni u dak tal-bini u kostruzzjoni kif ukoll tnaqqis qawwi f'dawk li huma inventarji biex b'hekk l-ekonomija ta' l-2009 ghalqet b'telf. Fl-2009 wkoll il-konsum privat li minnu jiddependu hafna l-imsiehba tal-GRTU wkoll waqgha.

Bis-sahha ta' inizjattivi li ttiehdu izda, fl-2010 l-ekonomija regghet bdiet tikber u meta pparagunata mas-sena ta' qabel l-ekonomija kibret b'4%, l-aktar permezz tal-esportazzjoni. Is-Settur rapprezentat mill-GRTU l-aktar dak kummercjali ghadu qed ihoss l-impatt ta' l-istaggnar f'dik li hi domanda domestika pero' dawn l-ahhar sitt xhur tas-sena ta' l-2010 qed juru li l-affarijiet regghu qed jiccaqalqu, dan il-moviment jitkattar hekk kif jibda jinhass l-effett ta' l-investiment f'numru ta' progetti pubblici li dwarhom qed naghmlu pressjoni kbira lill-Gvern biex jghaggel f'dik li hija implimentazzjoni u kif ukoll biex jithaffef it-thaddim ta' diversi progetti ffinanzjati mill-Unjoni Ewropeja. Il-problema ewlenija tibqa' dejjem jekk id-dhul disponibbli ghall-familji mhux qed jizdied bizejjed biex jaghmel tajjeb ghaz-zidiet tal-prodotti ta' l-energija, elettriku, fuels u gass u l-GRTU ghaddejja b'numru ta' proposti ohra biex il-Gvern jghaggel jintroduci skemi godda fil-qasam tal-energija alternattiva u bhal enterprise loan guarantee schemes biex jimbotta l-intraprizi zghar fis-setturi kollha rapprezentati mill-GRTU ha jinvestu u joholqu xoghol gdid. L-indikazzjonijiet qed juru li hekk kif il-livell ta' infiq minn naha tal-Gvern fuq l-oqsma ta' investiment u strutturi jizdied ikun hemm qabza wkoll f'dik li hi zieda fl-attivita' li taffetwa d-domanda domestika l-aktar fl-oqsma marbuta mal-kostruzzjoni.

Pero' din is-sena irridu nikkoncentraw aktar biex nizguraw li l-pressjoni li ha ssir mill-Unjoni Ewropeja l-Gvern Malti jkun imgieghel jaghmel aktar sforzi fejn jidhol id-deficit u d-dejn Nazzjonali ma jkollix impatt negattiv fuq l-infiq tan-nies fl-ekonomija interna. Hu ghalhekk li l-GRTU qed tahdem kontinwament fuq il-prezentazzjoni ta' skemi li jghinu biex id-djar u l-intraprizi zghar jinvestu aktar f'riformi u investimenti godda biex l-infiq isir bil-ghan li johloq aktar xoghol u aktar tkattir ekonomiku il-quddiem.

Sfortunatament hafna sidien ta' intraprizi zghar jahsbu li kollox isir wahdu jew isir ghax xi hadd jitkellem fuq it-televizjoni jew fil-Parlament. Il-verita' hi li l-iskemi u d-dettalji ta' x'ghandu jsir iridu jkunu diskussi ma' organizzazzjoni serja bhal GRTU u li minghajr is-sahha ta' ghaqda bhal GRTU s-sidien tan-negozji zghar Maltin ma jkunu qa

For the sake of patient safety, in the era of global economy it is desirable to address adequate tracking and tracing of medical devices at a global level. One reliable way to achieve track and trace of medical devices is to develop a Unique Device Identifier (UDI). Such system will also improve fight against counterfeiting. In addition, the development of an international approach will make the trade of medical devices more secure for all the stakeholders.

Whilst it is already a legal obligation on economic operators to ensure they have in place an adequate traceability system, the EU is currently working with its international partners to develop an adequate mechanism for a UDI for each individual medical device. The most popular choices seem to be barcoding and radio-frequency identification (RFID). The mechanism chosen is aimed to be standardized and harmonized on a global level, meaning that it will probably not be the manufacturers themselves that draw up the barcode or RFID tag for their devices, but will be set out either by standardization institutions or specialized privately-owned approved companies that ensure that the codes/tags are truly unique for each device. Thus, it is expected that the unique codes will need to be bought at a cost.

In this regard, MSA kindly ask you to inform what impact (financial, administrative or otherwise) do you envisage on your operations and products should such system be introduced. It may be necessary to seek the opinion of your suppliers and business partners. Detailed replies will be greatly appreciated by the 31^st January 2011. Email:

SECOND STEP is a training programme that leads to an ICT Diploma in Information Technology, Information Systems or Computing and Information Systems.

The programme is fully funded and therefore offered free of charge. It aims at investing in human capital within the context of a flourishing local ICT industry that is increasingly recognised as a major component in Malta's economic development. ‘Second Step' is aimed at encouraging participants to pursue ICT studies at a higher level.

This programme is mostly targeted at individuals who are unemployed or at risk of long-term unemployment. These include individuals who work in the manufacturing industry, women who intend to return to work, and citizens who would like  to improve their career and upgrade their job prospects within the ICT sector. A basic knowledge of ICT skills and a good command of the English language are essential. Individuals need to have a SEC/O Level pass in Computer Studies (or ECDL Core – subject to an aptitude test), Mathematics and English together with a pass in any one of the following subjects: Business studies, Accounting or Physics.  Pass marks should be at Grade 5 or Grade C (or better), or the equivalent.

Students possessing any one of the following qualifications are also eligible to apply:

BTEC First Diploma in Engineering; IT Practitioners; Mechanical Engineering

City & Guilds Diploma in IT systems support; Software developers; Using Computers; Engineering; Electrotechnical Technology

First Step Programme (previously implemented by MITC) – subject to an aptitude test 

Other EQF/MQF Level 3 qualification related to ICT and Engineering.

A minimum of 3 years work experience in the ICT sector supported with a relevant reference letter from the employer – subject to an aptitude test. 

Priority will be given to applicants who intend to utilise this ICT Diploma for employment prospects. Kindly note that availability is limited and subject to eligibility criteria. Applications will close on Friday 28th January 2011. For more information visit www.mita.gov.mt

The Trade Policy Committee – Steel, Textiles and other Industrial Sectors (TPC STIS) is proposing to discuss EU trade in electronic goods. Discussion will focus on the offensive side of trade. The Economic Policy Division would appreciate to know of any concerns or any general comments on trade in this sector in Malta.

The electronic sector can be divided into four sub-sectors: electronic components, computer and office equipment, telecommunications equipment, and consumer electronics. The first three are also commonly referred to as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The borders between these categories are often fluent, with consumers increasingly having access to professional equipment and multifunctional devices. Electrical appliances are not covered (the so-called "white goods", such as washing machines or refrigerators).

The EU maintains a strong international position in telecommunication and some other product categories, but is a major importer of consumer electronics. Overall it encounters a large trade deficit in electronics. The importance of the sector is not limited to its own economic weight. It accounts for a much larger share of overall productivity growth thanks to the important role that ICT plays in boosting innovation throughout the economy. Semiconductors for instance are a key enabling technology for the electronics and many other sectors such as automotives, machinery or medical devices. The electronics sector is dominated by large multinational companies with global supply chains. Another typical feature of the sector is the increasing link between goods and services.

The discussion in the TPC STIS would focus on a selection of significant trade issues in a wide variety of fields affecting the EU electronics industry. Tariff barriers still play a role for products not (yet) covered by ITA or in non-ITA countries (Latin America, Russia). However, non-tariff barriers are the key issue for EU industry, such as burdensome certification procedures and IT encryption requirements, double testing, IPR protection, but also access to raw materials (e.g. rare earth).

Due to well established global supply and value chains of multinational companies in the area of electronics, intra-company trade and global sourcing plays a big role which has an impact on trade flows, rules of origin, and companies' European or global interests in general. As far as investment incentives and subsidies are concerned, they play a role in the global competition for instance in the area of semiconductors due to huge investment costs and high fluctuation in product and conjuncture cycles. Another specific feature for semiconductors is the existence of a plurilateral forum that represents over 90 % of worldwide semiconductor production, the Government/ Authorities Meeting on Semiconductors (GAMS). It comprises the EU, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the US and addresses all sector related trade, regulatory, IPR, counterfeiting, environmental and other aspects.

On January 1, Hungary assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time since the country's accession to the EU in 2004

The Hungarian Presidency is the third within the context of the "trio presidency" whereby three successive Member States work together over an eighteen month period to accomplish a common agenda with the current president continuing the work of the previous "lead-president" after the end of its term.

Hungarian Presidency programme in context

The priorities of the Hungarian Presidency are partly predetermined by two factors: Hungary's membership of the trio Presidency and the global economic crisis.

The Hungarian Presidency is the last member of the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio. Its programme, therefore, fits into the trio programme and its priorities are built on the results of the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies.

During the first half of 2011, Europe needs to concentrate on improving its economic performance and on job creation so as to make growth sustainable and the recovery from the crisis irreversible. Some important lessons from the crisis have been learned and political decisions were made to reinforce economic co-ordination, to strengthen the control of fiscal discipline and to elaborate a framework ensuring long term competitiveness of the European economy. 2011 will be the year of action: the EU has to start implementing the decisions taken in 2010 and use the opportunities offered by the Lisbon Treaty.

As the last member of the current Trio Presidency, Hungary will work to promote the finding of a way out of the economic crisis and to lay the foundations for future development. The EU has experienced many crisis situations and has always come out of them stronger. The Hungarian Presidency also wishes to find a solution for the challenges that will make the

EU stronger than ever and that will create a strong Europe in an economic, social, political and institutional sense also.

The agenda of the Hungarian Presidency is fundamentally defined by the need to manage the consequences of the economic crisis and to launch the new forms of cooperation.

The EU has to be better prepared for eventual future crisis situations: there is a need to institute a permanent crisis management mechanism, to improve economic coordination and to introduce stricter controls of financial discipline.

However, there is also life after the crisis. One now has to see what kind of long-term measures could increase the global competitiveness of the EU. The Europe 2020 strategy provides a firm foundation to increase employment, strengthen regional and social cohesion and to improve the innovation abilities of businesses, so that Europe can emerge new and strong from the current shock.

General priorities

The Presidency Programme is built on four main priorities. Their shared central element is the objective of putting Europe to the service of its citizens: refocusing policies on the sorely missed human face of European integration. These priorities are:

• Growth, jobs and social inclusion for promoting the European social model
• Stronger Europe – building on the foundations and saving the future

A Union close to its citizens

Enlarging responsibly and engaging globally

Source: MEUSAC news

The Single Market Act, up for public debate until February 2011, proposes a set of 50 actions. Actions in the Single Market Act proposal fall into three categories: Strong, sustainable and equitable growth; Citizens at the heart of the single market; Better governance and dialogue in the single market.

Strong, Sustainable and Equitable Growth

21 million European companies cater to 175 million jobs and supply 500 million consumers. The single market must encourage companies to expand, buy, sell, create, invest and hire throughout the European Union and beyond, because Europe is poised to think and act globally. 10 actions falling under this category are given here.

A European patent (Action Nr 1)

Our current fragmented system for patents stifles innovation and fails to properly protect inventors and centres for research and businesses.

Any company or individual registering a patent has to go through a process of validating it in each and every Member State. This involves translation fees, a costly business that deters smaller companies.

Registering a patent now may also be subject to expensive and risky multi-forum litigation in different Member States. The Single Market Act aimed to have the first EU patents issued in 2014, but despite several attempts to broker a compromise, Member States have been unable to reach unanimous agreement over language rules.

But an alternative solution is at hand. At the request of 12 Member States, the Commission recently tabled a proposal for "enhanced cooperation" for a unitary patent between those Member States willing to move forward immediately, leaving the way open for others to join at a later stage. The proposed decision to authorise enhanced cooperation on unitary patent protection needs to be approved by the EU's Council of Ministers by qualified majority, after the consent of the European Parliament. The Commission will come forward in 2011 with detailed proposals for implementing enhanced cooperation for unitary patent protection, including translation requirements.

Tackling problems for Electronic commerce (Action Nr 5)

The sector that poses the most problems to consumers is the online single market. Today, only 7% of consumers buy online. Too often consumers cannot purchase products from other Member States because of their nationality or place of residence. A recent study revealed that 61% of online purchases failed because companies refused to sell to people from other countries. In 2011, the Commission will support Member States by providing more guidance on how to rule out discrimination in e-commerce. On 2 December, the Commission issued a Communication on e-invoicing aimed at making it the predominant method of invoicing in Europe.

The absence of a European framework for copyright further complicates online purchases. Buying or selling music, books or other creations of cultural value is still too complicated. As a result, Europe's potential for an EU-wide exchange of works that are of cultural value remains largely untapped. In 2011, the Commission will propose a Framework Directive on copyright, in order to open access to art online while ensuring proper protection and remuneration for copyright holders.

Fighting Counterfeiting and Piracy (Action 3)

Counterfeiting and piracy have become major problems for world business. Twenty years ago, counterfeiting was a concern mainly for manufacturers of expensive handbags. Today, counterfeiters not only fake electrical appliances, car parts, toys and software, but even medication. This means that not only that millions in tax revenues are lost, but also that jobs and the health and safety of citizens are put at risk. The Commission will propose an action plan to confront counterfeiting and piracy in 2010 and will put forward a legislative proposal for a reinforcement of customs control. It will also re-examine its strategy on intellectual property rights for non-EU countries.

Deepening the single market for services (Action Nr 4)

Services are an essential part of Europe's economy and represent more than 70% of all jobs. But although progress has been made, the single market for services still does not work as well as it could. Cross-border services only represent 5% of GDP, which is very low compared to goods traded in the single market, representing 17% of GDP. Citizens and businesses, especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) all stand to gain from a better-functioning Single Market for Services. The implementation of the Services Directive constitutes a major step forward, estimated to bring about economic gains of up to 140 billion Euros, representing up to 1.5% growth of EU GDP. More needs to be done, however, to tackle remaining obstacles. That is why the Commission will put forward further measures to improve the single market in services in 2011.

More efficient rules for common product standards (Action Nr 6)

Common standards means companies no longer have to comply with different standards for different markets. It reduces their cost and gives them better access to global markets, which leads to more trade and growth. New products that comply with international quality standards deliver a message of trust and professionalism. Common standards for products across the EU have also been essential to ensuring EU consumers have access to safe, quality goods, regardless of a product's origin. The economic benefit of standardisation is close to 1% of GDP. But there still is room for improvement. Standards should be agreed more quickly to keep pace with rapidly developing new technologies. Otherwise we deprive companies of export opportunities.

Access to capital markets for small and medium sized enterprises (Action Nr 12)

SMEs represent 99% of all EU companies. But they often cannot exploit their potential to expand because they are faced with difficulties of access to capital. It is still much easier to access capital for a big company than a small one. That is why improving SMEs' access to finance is so important. The Commission will encourage the creation of a network of regional stock exchanges and ensure that venture capital funds can invest freely in all Member States, which will favour small start-ups. It will take action on giving SMEs more visibility to potential investors and push for less complicated requirements for their listing on capital markets. The Commission also wants to simplify accounting rules for SMEs, and improve their access to public procurement contracts.

European bonds for citizens' savings (Action 15)

The Commission will look at finding ways to encourage private investors to invest in long-term economic strategies as well as in big European infrastructure projects such as transport and energy schemes. One option is the creation of "project bonds", an idea raised by President Barroso in his State of the Union Address of 2010. These bonds could be issued in close cooperation with the European Investment Bank.

Common consolidated tax base and improved VAT systems for companies (Action Nr 20)

The 27 national corporate tax systems all work very differently. This creates fiscal obstacles for businesses discouraging and often blocking cross-border activities. Hardest hit are SMEs, who are often unable to overcome the complexities of various tax systems. This is why the Commission wants to introduce a common tax base to address those provisions in the tax systems that limit the growth of companies seeking to benefit from the European single market. A common tax base would mean that a company has to abide by only one set of rules and would need to deal with only one agency on tax issues. This initiative will not affect the rates of corporate taxation that Member States apply.

Our VAT system has remained largely unchanged since it was first introduced in 1967. For businesses operating cross-border, costs are too high and administrative procedures too cumbersome. Fiscal fraud, tax- and duty evasion and bankruptcies have resulted in a net loss of 12% of VAT revenue. The Commission will propose a new VAT strategy in support of a stronger single market with simpler rules.

Greener, more innovative and more efficient public procurement (Action Nr 17)

Public procurement is the process whereby the public sector awards contracts to companies for the supply of goods or services, such as building and construction works. This has generated more competition for government contracts: on average, five bidders compete for every publicly tendered contract. Contracting authorities believe that this has delivered average savings of between 5 and 8% on expected costs. Goods and services bought after public procurement procedures constitute 17% of EU GDP. EU rules on public procurement have contributed to greater transparency in the awarding of public contracts. Over 150,000 contracts were advertised EU-wide in 2009.

However, there is still room for improvement. By 2012, the Commission will have put forward proposals for making public procurement greener and more innovative. Options to make economies of scale by testing trans-national public tendering with more than one Member State involved will be studied. The Commission will also look at ways to improve access to public procurement contracts for SMEs.

The external dimension of the single market (Action 23-24)

The EU is the largest exporter of goods and services in the world and one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment. The single market should function as a solid base for European businesses, supporting their trade worldwide. It is important that our trade partnerships at international level are based on mutual interests and benefits. The EU needs to continue to be vigilant in its defence of European interests and jobs, and use all appropriate means to combat unfair trading practices. In general, the Commission believes that the adoption of more international rules would benefit both EU enterprises and global economic growth. The EU will also continue to push for more regulatory convergence with its trading partners at the G20 and in bi-lateral negotiations. In international public procurement the EU should work with a view to obtaining a level playing field for EU- and non-EU companies when competing for public contracts.

The European Union is contemplating tougher food hygiene rules, following the dioxin scare in Germany that led to around 4,700 of its farms being closed last week and investigations into food safety in several other member states.  Around 490 German farms remained closed.

A spokesman for John Dalli, the European commissioner for health and consumer policy, said that the EU's 2001 food hygiene law could be "reinforced". Dioxins were found in eggs and poultry from German farms in concentrations up to four times greater than allowed under EU law. The contamination arose when fats intended for use in the paper industry were mixed with animal feed. German authorities suspect criminal activity, but are still investigating the contamination, which they believe dates back to March 2010.

Germany's agriculture minister, called for EU rules to ensure that fats for industrial uses and animal feed are produced in separate facilities. Aigner would also like to see EU authorities tighten safety further by establishing a list of substances that can be used in animal feed.

An EU official said that the authorities were still investigating how the contamination occurred. "It might be tempting to say that we need more legislation. Perhaps we need better monitoring. We are still in the process of finding out," the official said.

Contaminated egg products found their way to France, the Netherlands and the UK. Although dioxin levels were found by the authorities to be well below the levels considered dangerous to human health, some UK supermarkets decided to withdraw quiches and cakes made with the contaminated eggs as a precautionary measure.

Last month European ministers asked the Commission to draw up legislation to ensure that poultry, lamb and pork are labelled with their country-of-origin. Beef already has this requirement, following the BSE scare in the 1990s.

More than 90% of human exposure to dioxins, a group of compounds that cause cancer and reproductive problems, comes from food. Since the EU began setting limits for dioxins from 2002 – in response to an eggs and poultry scare in Belgium in 1999 – there have been four food scares in the EU.