Category: Archive – 2012

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) launched a TRUST MARK scheme related to good business practice between entrepreneur/service provider and the consumer. This scheme is envisaged to enhance the trust between the two and therefore enable the consumer to purchase products and services with much greater confidence.

The aim of the Trust Mark scheme is to promote and safeguard consumer interests by helping them identifying those businesses/service providers which promise to abide by a code of conduct where the interest of the consumer is safeguarded.

Service providers subscribing to this scheme will have to endorse that they will conform to the local regulations and also that they will be complying with the contents of a code of ethics which will be an important part of the scheme.

The scheme will not involve any additional documentation and will not require any great effort to subscribe. Approved service providers will have their details included in the MCCAA website. On the other hand, once those approved are found to be breaching the salient points of this code of ethics will be shown on the defaults section and get their certificates withdrawn.

The code covers the whole service/product acquisition cycle, which consist of:

1. Enticing – the promotional and advertising stage

2. Negotiating – the pre-procurement stage

3. Purchasing – procurement stage

4. After-sales-post procurement stage

The scheme is open to all those who come in contact with people and it is very simple to follow. The commitment by those signing-up to participate in the scheme is that they declare that they will adhere to the following Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct

1. Promoting a customer-friendly relationship.

2. Conforming to all relevant regulations.

3. Doing my best to ensure that the premises are accessible and safe.

4. Advertising and providing information in a way that does not mislead potential customers.

5. Trying to understand customer requirements and advise accordingly.

6. Indicating/quoting prices that are all-inclusive.

7. Adhering to agreed commitments.

8. Ensuring that all complaints are dealt with in a timely manner.

9. Avoiding if possible that disputes are referred to the Consumer Claims Tribunal by opting for resolution through mediation.

10. Providing an adequate after-sales customer service.

For further information kindly email on the following address and we will send you the necessary information and application form.

Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority

Mizzi House

National Road

Blata L-Bajda

Tel: +356 23952200

Malta Enterprise has been appointed as the National Contact Point for the European Commission's Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), which aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises and particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

With a budget of €3.3 billion and running from 2007 to 2013, the CIP supports innovation activities, provides better access to finance and delivers business support services in the regions participating in the programme. 

Additionally, it encourages a better take-up and use of ICT, helps to develop the information society, and also promotes the increased use of renewable energies and energy efficiency.

Previously under MIMCOL's responsibility, the CIP's National Contact Point in Malta has now moved to Malta Enterprise, enabling the Corporation to offer an even more comprehensive range of support, services and schemes to facilitate the successful operation and growth of local enterprises.

Amongst others, Malta Enterprise already runs the local offices for other European programmes or networks, such as the Enterprise Europe Network, EUREKA and Eurostars, besides adminis

tering a number of schemes for businesses and industries co-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for which a Fourth Call is currently open.

The CIP's National Contact Point's main role is to promote and disseminate information on CIP and its funding opportunities, encourage and guide the participation of Maltese entities under specific calls for proposals and other networking initiatives, and offering partner search support.

More than €3.1 million are estimated to have been budgeted for co-funding for Maltese stakeholders – including public bodies, businesses and NGOs – through the previous calls of the CIP's three operational programmes, namely the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP), the Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT-PSP), and the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEE).

The EIP focuses on improving access to finance for SMEs through specific instruments, and provides business services through the Enterprise Europe Network. It supports innovation

policy and transnational networking; eco-innovation pilot and market replication projects; and supports policymaking through contracts and grants for analytical work and awareness-raising.

The ICT-PSP provides funding for pilot actions by both public and private organisations for ICT-based services in various areas such as health, digital libraries, improved public services,

energy efficiency and multilingual web evolution. It also supports networking actions and monitoring of the Information Society.

The IEE supports projects and best practices in intelligent energy, energy efficiency and best use of renewable energy

sources. The annual calls for the three operational programmes are currently open.

CIP will eventually give way to COSME, a new programme for the competitiveness of enterprises and SMEs which will run from 2014 to 2020 with a foreseen budget of €2.5 billion. The new programme will take forward and add to the initiatives under the Entrepreneurship and Innovation segment of CIP, facilitating access to finance, encouraging entrepreneurship and competitiveness, and supporting SME internationalisation.

Further information may be obtained from www.cipmalta.com or by contacting Malta Enterprise on 2542 0000.

A Business Breakfast is being organised on 11th April at Le Meridien in St Julians. The topic will be the Executive Training Programme and EU Gateway Programme designed to assist companies who wish to do business with the Japanese and South Korean markets.  These are markets which have great potential but are somewhat difficult to access due to logistics and cultural differences.

The Executive Training Programme provides up to 45-week training course in Japan or Korea, including an internship in a local company that will enhance your business prospects in these countries.

The EU Gateway Programme organises and funds Business Missions in high technology and design sectors for European companies to develop their business in Japan and Korea by offering financial and logistical support, strategic preparation and a tailored search for business contacts.

Date: 11^th April 2012

Time: 8:30hrs

Venue: Le Meridien Hotel, St.Julians

The Info session shall be delivered by Mr. Alvaro Biel Turon of the Madrid Office in charge of said programmes.

Further information about the programmes may be accessed here:

http://www.eu-gateway.eu/go.php?nID=22&page=Home

http://www.euetp.eu/

Interested parties are to contact Malta Enterprise on or tel: 25423418

Take the opportunity and meet them  – A business delegation from Austria will be visiting Malta with the aim of doing business with Maltese companies to export their products and partnership agreements. The business to business meetings will take place on the 25th April. The sectors involved will be:

 

Environmental Technology, Energy Industry, Renewable Energy:

– Boiler and energy technology – Systems engineering and food technology

– Solid waste management – Solar panels

– Wind turbines – Gas fueled reciprocating engines

– packages generator sets – cogeneration units for the efficient generation of power and heat

– Water control systems – Termal solar systems

– Flat and tubular collectors – Hot water storage tanks for heat management

– Block heat and power plants – Photovoltaic systems

– Thermal solar systems – Gas alarm devices

– Water and waste water industry- measurement, inspection, cleaning and disinfection

– Probes, transmitters and accessories for level and pressure management, temperature management

Hotel Equipment

– Bathroom dispensers and supplies

– Supplies for bedrooms (quilts, pillows, underbedding etc…)

ICT

– Air Traffic Management – Videoconference systems

– e-Government, e-Mobility, security – LED lumination

– Application software – Booking and payment system

– Prepaid cards – Electronic file systems

Consulting and Advertising

– Advertising – Real estate services and property management

– Employee training and coaching – International business etiquette

Machinery & Equipment manufacturing

– Process equipment construction for the food industry

Wood and packaging

– Pallets – Packaging solutions made of timber

Interested in any of the above? Contact Abigail Mamo at GRTU on or 21 232 881

 

On the 22nd March GRTU's Social Affairs representative Michael Galea participated in EuroCommerce's European Social Dialogue meeting. EuroCommerce represents the retail, wholesale and International trade sectors in Europe and represents GRTU in Brussels.

Trade Union strategy- targeting employers

European commerce must focus on choosing the right skills that are in demand. The organisation plays an important role in job creation, internships and apprenticeship. Internships and apprenticeship are meant to provide young people with the opportunity to gain work experience or use formally acquired skills in a practical setting. In order to explore the quality of internships offered in Europe today, the European Youth Forum has conducted a research in the form of a survey targeting current and former interns.

Call for a European Action Plan for Retail (REAP)

The role that retail is playing in the creation of jobs was emphasised. European commerce faces a number of barriers especially in central and eastern European countries.

The key challenges addressed by the EU Action Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) are to improve the overall environmental performance of products throughout their life-cycle, promote and stimulate the demand of better products and production technologies, and helping consumers to make better choices. The Plan recognises retailers' important contribution to sustainability and to influencing sustainable consumption through their own and supply chains operations, and consumer behaviour.

European retailers share the view that achieving sustainable consumption and production is a key challenge for the future. Retailers witness – on a daily basis – the changing demands of their customers, the constantly evolving needs for suitable and accurate information, the rapid introduction of new eco-products, and ever ‘greener' supply chain processes.

At the same time, retailers witness the challenges in converting consumers' general environmental awareness into purchasing decisions, in anticipating future consumer wishes without becoming divorced from current consumer demands and in greening their internal processes and procedures at an economically sound and efficient pace.

Within the parameters of fair and robust competition, taking forward the SCP and SIP Action Plan, European retailers voluntarily propose the Retailers' Environmental Action Programme. EuroCommerce is confident that REAP will soon be a reality. There are issues on international trade and employment. As a committee EuroCommerce has to be very precise, in terms of what it wants from the Commission in the coming years.

The action plan would not only help improve the recognition of the importance of retail in meeting the EU 2020 strategy targets for smarter and sustainable growth in Europe. It would also rest in the development of concrete immediate and longer term recommendations for action.

The retail associations ERRT, EuroCommerce, EuroCoop and UGAL urge for action to be taken immediately on the following priority areas:

Making the retail sector benefit from a fully functioning internal markefor goods, services and capital

Making the digital agenda a reality for businesses and consumers

Support employment, skills development and entrepreneurship in retail as an

Support expansion abroad

Social Dialogue

The EU is celebrating 20 years of Social Dialogue. Europe is currently

1. In the finalization and realization of the Single market

2. Engaged 5 countries where Social Dialogue is strong in organization of the 20^th anniversary celebrations.

3. EuroCommerce to lead in these celebrations

Social Dialogue between EuroCommerce (representing employers) and UNI-Europa Commerce (representing workers) was active continuously since 1983 and was officially recognised by the European Commission in 1990. In 1993, EuroCommerce and Euro-Fiet (now UNI-Europa) officially recognised each other as social partners within the meaning of Articles 3 and 4 of the Agreement on Social Policy. On 30 November 1998, following the reorganisation of the European social dialogue, the social partners agreed to establish a sectoral social dialogue committee.

The Social Partners for Commerce tackle employment and labour related issues through a large range of instruments such as statements, opinions, guidelines, framework agreements or concrete projects (vocational training material, studies and reports). Unions are using social media a lot, contrary to commerce.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

We have recently seen the first politic statement since 2006. A lot of initiatives are being started. Two key elements:

1. New definition of CSR

2. Agenda for action covering 8 different areas.

EuroCommerce has long been committed to CSR, as the commerce sector has an established tradition of initiating and developing a broad spectrum of responsible practices. In our view a voluntary approach is preferable, as it allows for creativity and enables companies to share ideas and experience on best practice.

The two main bodies involved in the formation and implementation of CSR policy are the European Multi-Stakeholder Forum, which is coordinated by the European Commission, and, on the business side, the European Alliance for CSR, which is a vital forum of exchange for companies and business associations.

CEEMET

CEEMET was created in 1962 under the name western union metal trades employers organization. In 2004 it was renamed CEEMET. The members are national employers' organizations and federations, representing 200,000 member companies across Europe, the vast majority of which are SMEs providing 13million direct jobs in the metal, engineering and technology based sectors. Together these companies make the largest industrial sector in Europe in terms of employment and added value.

CEEMET's mission is to represent, promote and defend the social policy-related interests of the employers in the metal, engineering and technology-based industries on the European level, working together with all stakeholders to create and maintain a sustainable and competitive environment for European industry.

CEEMET's core objectives are:

To promote the exchange of information among its members on all social issues which directly affect the interests of the metal, engineering and technology-based industries

To coordinate views and opinions on social policy and industrial relations issues of concern to the members, and organize and implement the initiatives and actions of the members at European level

To issue statements and position papers on matters of common interest

CEEMET and the European Metalworkers Federation began their dialogue informally in 2001. In January 2010 this sectoral social dialogue was formalised, with the European Commission recognizing CEEMET and the EMF as formal sectoral Social Partners. CEEMET believes that European-level sectoral social dialogue can contribute to improving the economic and business environment that supports the development of competitive and profitable companies, thus also helping to promote sustainable employment and conditions in the MET industries in Europe.

 

During his intervention at the EESC Economic and Monetary Union, Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)Section at the discussion on the legislative proposals for laying down common provisions on the various regional, cohesion, agriculture and structural funds (ERDF, ESF, ECF, PSEI, EGTC, CF, EAFRD and EMFF) Mr Farrugia raised the following points:

Implement the Small Business Act and its principles "Think small fist" and "Only once";

Article 5 of the General regulation of the governance partnership is one of the keys to the success of cohesion policy. One should 1) guaranty the participation of economic and social partners and representatives of various categories of SMEs at all levels, particularly for operational programmes and partnership contracts; 2) ensure its implementation by Member States and the Regions.

Grant a margin of flexibility for regions to enable them to take action on specific target audiences in specific situations;

Give priority to long term and continuous development of all types of SMEs, irrespective of their market, including nearby markets, not only the competitiveness of innovative companies and internationalisation.

Measures to support mentoring and counselling, tangible and intangible investment, particularly in training and activities of intermediary organisations acting for different categories of SMEs;

The performance reserve is counterproductive if it encourages investment policy in infrastructures with immediate effect instead of growth policies based on more sustainable investments in human capital, the effect cannot be measured in the long run.

Administrative simplification: complete or specify the proposed measures 1) by drafting texts that require harmonised implementation and where managing authorities see no margin in the interpretation of these texts.

Interpretation, 2) more clearly defining the rules for inspection and audit, the criteria for applying the principle of proportionality as well as the rules of payment and payment delays.

Overall Mr Farrugia stated that he welcomed the proposals for the general regulation and the specific regulations for structural funds 2014-2020. They represent a positive step forward which should allow a better involvement of SMEs in the cohesion and the development of territories. Other specific proposals included:

European Social Fund ESF: 1) support initial and continuous vocational education and training, 2) support long term and continuous development and transfer of businesses, not only the creation of enterprises, 3) facilitate access of young people to the labour market, 4) promote the adaptability of business leaders 5) not limitation of the choice to four investment priorities but set priorities in consultation with social partners, 6) simplified costs for 50 000€ and 100 000€ on EU co-financing not only for public financing 7) formally maintaining ensure the existence of the ESF Committee.

Cohesion fund: Support tangible and intangible investments, including training, adaptation to climate change, including for SMEs and micro enterprises.

Rural development EAFRD: 1) Open the consulting services to SMEs and intermediary organisations and involve SMEs and micro- enterprises 2) reserve to SMEs and micro enterprises the assistance to beneficiaries other than farmers 3) aim to support processed goods directly transformed into consumption goods 4) support the transformation in the form of local industries involving agricultural and non agricultural activities 5) provide assistance to non- agricultural processors, not only to primary producers 6) promote local industries involving producers, processors and retailers of non farming SMEs, not only to farmers 8) ensure that all types of aid apply by the rules of competition and do not distort competition between identical activities carried out by farmers and non-farmers.

Vincent Farrugia has already presented these proposals verbally during the Section meeting and will present them formally in writing to the EESC Rapporteur.

The excellent relations between Malta and Libya were further cemented last week when GRTU signed a Bilateral Agreement with the Misurata Chamber of Commerce in Misurata. This agreement makes reference to the sustained aid effort that was made during the Libyan Revolution, where GRTU was the first organisation to call for aid for Libya and was always at the forefront in lobbying organisations and the Government to help Libya in various ways.

Indeed, this resulted in a wholehearted participation of GRTU in the I-GoAid Foundation, giving material and logistical support to the aid programme by means of its many members.

The agreement makes it possible for members of both the Misurata and the Maltese businesses members of GRTU to "feel at home" when visiting Libya and Malta. As such, a Misurata Chamber member will be entitled to all the benefits that a GRTU member has in Malta and Vice Versa.

This will mean that companies wishing to invest in both Malta and Libya will have their processes facilitated by both organisations. A programme of cultural and trade visits is also being organised.

The GRTU Delegation was given the full treatment in Misurata. Amongst others, they visited the Misurata War Museum and saw at first hand a record of the bravery of the Misuratans in fighting Kaddafi. The destruction left behind is already being repaired, but the suffering this city went through was still very evident.

During the visit, it was evident that Libya's businessmen are now looking outwards, towards the EU. They specifically asked for GRTU's help in getting their products certified for the EU's markets. In fact, we were surprised to see how well advanced Misurata's manufactured products are, especially the steel and diary sectors.

Misurata's mindset is very much like Malta's. Misurata's people are very business oriented, with a can-do attitude that is very heartening to see. This means that Malta's businessmen will feel very much at home in this environment and will be sure to find new partners for their businesses in Libya.

The delegation also met the whole of the new Misurata Local Council and were hosted to lunch by the new mayor, Yusuf Ben Yusuf.

With a specific focus on ports and maritime services, manufacturing, food industry and Construction, GRTU will help companies in these fields explore business and investment opportunities in post-war Libya. As such, any companies interested in this can attend an informal seminar at the GRTU offices in order to set up a GRTU Libya committee to start organising the first GRTU visit and one-to-one meetings with Libyan companies. This seminar will be held on Tuesday 19^th April at 14.00hrs.

Commission wants to cut red tape for motorists, but concerns about the risk of fraud remain. – The European Commission wants to make it easier to transfer vehicle registration from one member state to another, to overcome one of the most frequent complaints of citizens who move to another EU country.

Long waiting times, double payment of registration tax, and multiple road-worthiness tests and technical checks were among the problems identified in a 2010 survey of citizens' experiences. Car rental companies have also faced difficulties moving vehicles from one country to another.

Under the proposal, to be put forward by the Commission on Wednesday (4 April), member states would be able to use a simpler procedure to obtain authorisation for searching the registration information of other member states. Member states would also be obliged to give automatic recognition to a registration made by an employer on behalf of an employee. This is designed to benefit people who live in one member state but work in another. A special registration will be introduced for people who spend part of the year in another EU country.

The proposal falls short of a pan-EU registration certificate, which a majority of citizens identified as their preferred solution. Most businesses respondents, however, favoured only improved communication between national authorities.

Crime concerns

Some concerns have been expressed about threats to safety or risks of fraud if member states are obliged to recognise foreign registrations.

"Many vehicles are currently taken into different member states in order to facilitate crimes," the Association of British Insurers wrote in its contribution to a recent consultation. The association suggests that many people currently avoid re-registering their vehicles because of the cumbersome process involved, and argues that higher rates of re-registration would help insurers to know which vehicles are on the road and where.

Vehicle ownership

This is the second recent initiative to share knowledge of vehicle ownership across borders. In November, member states agreed to set up an electronic data-exchange network that aims to fine drivers who commit traffic violations in another country. Foreign drivers make up 5% of traffic in member states but account for 15% of traffic offences.

Member states could already fine foreign drivers who committed offences, but they have often chosen not to, because of the difficulty in identifying the owner of a foreign vehicle. The database is due to be set up by November 2013.

According to the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets" published today, 37% of EU SMEs have at least one full or part-time green employee. Green jobs are largely created in SMEs as opposed to large firms: In 2012, 1 in 8 employees of small and medium-sized firms had a green job or almost 13% of all SME jobs (in large firms it was only 1 in 33 equivalent to 3% of all large company jobs). Green jobs in SMEs are also estimated to expand dynamically with a rate of 35% in the next 2 years.

 

The Eurobarometer survey also reveals other sources of untapped potential which could be used by SMEs. For example, less than a quarter of SMEs take advantage of the single market for green products or services. Bureaucracy is considered as one of the obstacles: 20% of SMEs says that it would be easier to do green investments if cross-border administrative and legal procedures were not so complex.

SMEs in green industries are also maturing. Three in five (61%) SMEs selling green products or services have been active in green markets for more than three years compared to 52% in the US. Food and beverages (25%) and electronic and mechanical machinery and equipment (23%) are the most commonly sold green products and services by SMEs in the EU.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship unveiling today the Eurobarometer results said: "I am happy to see that SMEs are taking on this huge untapped potential which will pay off with more innovation, more competitive SMEs and more jobs. However, there is still a lot of work to do. Only very few European SMEs extend their green business to foreign markets. Knowing that the EU makes up roughly one third of the world market for environmental industries this reveals a huge potential for SMEs to grow."

For more information please see MEMO/12/218

The full report on the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets"

Green SMEs: Strong at home, but weak abroad

Green markets  for SMEs in the EU remain mainly domestic. 87% of SMEs involved in green business (or the green economy) operate in their national markets. Just below a quarter of SMEs report that they exploit the opportunities of the Single Market. With BRIC countries estimated to account for about 60% of world GDP by 2030, only 3% of SMEs in the EU adventure themselves to sell their green products or services in Asia and the South Pacific and a mere 2% in Latin America.

Customer demand plays a major role

According to the Eurobarometer survey, the main reason for SMEs in the EU to sell green products or services is demand from customers (48%). Companies' core values (32%) and image (30%) also play a role in this respect.

SMEs reduce energy and resources consumption

93% of EU SMEs take actions to be more resource efficient. 64% of SMEs save energy, 61% recycle and 62% minimise their waste. 33% of SMEs improve resource efficiency as a top priority.

Policy measures can help unleash the 'green growth engine'

Financial incentives are considered by SMEs as the best means to help them become greener in the way they operate and the products and services they offer.

Approximately half (51%) of SMEs consider tax rebates, grants and loans as the best policy measures to support energy efficiency investments.

Approximately half (49%) of the SMEs that are already offering green products indicate that financial incentives for developing products would be the best way to help the expansion of their range of green products or services.

31% of the SMEs that are currently not offering green products and services believe that financial incentives would be the best way to help them launch a range of green products or services.

Administrative simplification would boost green products

Technical advice and administrative simplification are also considered to be very effective in helping SMEs to be greener. In the next two years, four SMEs in five (80%) plan to implement resource efficiency actions but one in five SMEs says that it would be easier if administrative and legal procedures were not so complex or the costs of taking actions would be lower.

One in four (25%) SMEs say that simplifying administrative procedures for constructing cogeneration capacity such as installing solar panels would be particularly effective to boost energy efficiency.

More information on energy service contracts and options to save energy would also help one in four (24%) SMEs to reduce their energy bill.

Around one in five SMEs currently who do not offer green products and services say some assistance in identifying potential markets or customers for green products or services could make consider entering green markets.

Green public procurement still a challenge

Green public procurement as a driver for a more sustainable economy is still a challenge for SMEs. According to available data, only 11% of SMEs in the EU have bid for a public procurement tender that included environmental requirements compared with 16% of large companies.

Background

The Flash Eurobarometer 342 survey "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets" was carried out between the 24th of January and the 10th of February 2012 by TNS Political & Social. It was conducted in the 27 EU Member States and in Albania, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, the Republic of Serbia, Turkey, Israel and the United States. It is a survey that covers businesses employing 1 or more persons in the Manufacturing (Nace category C), Retail (Nace category G), Services (Nace categories I/J/K/H/L/M/) and Industry (Nace categories B/D/E/F) sectors within the European Union. It does not cover sole traders.