Category: Archive – 2005

Is-Sur Vincent Farrugia, Direttur Generali tal-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises ha sehem fl-ewwel laqgha tal-Comitato di Sorveglianza tal-Program ta’ Koperazzjoni Transfrontaliera Italia – Malta. Dan hu program ta’ assistenza tal-Unjoni Ewropea taht l-iskema INTERREG iii A. Dan il-program ta’ assistenza kommunitarja kien approvat mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea fit-8 ta’ Dicembru 2004.

Is-Sur Vincent Farrugia, Direttur Generali tal-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises ha sehem fl-ewwel laqgha tal-Comitato di Sorveglianza tal-Program ta’ Koperazzjoni Transfrontaliera Italia – Malta. Dan hu program ta’ assistenza tal-Unjoni Ewropea taht l-iskema INTERREG iii A. Dan il-program ta’ assistenza kommunitarja kien approvat mill-Kummissjoni Ewropea fit-8 ta’ Dicembru 2004.

Il-Kumitat ta’ Sorveljanza ghandu l-funzjoni li japprova l-progetti u l-iskemi ta’ assistenza taht il-programm INTERREG iii A u li jistabilixxi l-kriterji ta’ kif u fejn ghandha tinghata l-assistenza u jiddeciedi dwar l-approvazzjoni, l-kundizzjonijiet ghat-twettieq u l-impatt tal-progetti maghzula.

Il-progetti maghzula taht dan il-programm ser ikunu immirati biex jizviluppa b’mod sostenibbli l-integrazzjoni ta’ azzjoni kulturali, ambjentali, socjali u ekonomika li jkun ta’ vantagg ghall-Malta u ghal Sqallija. Il-progetti jridu jkunu immirati biex isahhu l-koperazzjoni fl-azzjoni ta’ zvilupp ta’ dan ir-regjun bil-ghan li tkun zviluppata tmexxija tar-rizorsi disponibbli integrata.

Il-Kumitat hu kompost minn rapprezentanti tar-Repubblika Taljana u tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta li jirraprezentaw is-settur pubbliku b’responsabbilta ghall-oqsma ta Kummerc, Turizmu, Ambjent, Gid Kulturali, Agrikoltura u Sajd, Trasport, Finanzi u Ekonomija. Ghall-Kumitat jattendu wkoll rapprezentanti ohra non-governattivi li jirraprezentaw lis-settur ekonomiku u socjali.

Is-Sur Vincent Farrugia attenda ghall-laqgha li saret f’Catania f’isem l-Kunsill Malti Ghall-Izvilupp Socjali u Ekonomiku.

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – ilha s-snin tikkopera mall-awtoritajiet biex illum fil-hwienet kollha u fil-postijiet tax-xoghol kollha privati u mhux biss pubblici t-tipjip jew ma jistax isir jew isir biss f’postijiet riservati ghall min ipejjep.

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – ilha s-snin tikkopera mall-awtoritajiet biex illum fil-hwienet kollha u fil-postijiet tax-xoghol kollha privati u mhux biss pubblici t-tipjip jew ma jistax isir jew isir biss f’postijiet riservati ghall min ipejjep.

Il-GRTU izda oggezzjonat u tibqa toggezjona ghall-ligi mfassla bl-ghagla u ghar-regolamenti bla sens li fasslu l-burokratici fil-Ministeru tas-Sahha bla ma hadd ta kaz tal-implikazzjonijiet serji li dawn ir-regolamenti kienu qed jimponu. Il-piz ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti imponew fuq is-sidien tan-negozji f’postijiet ta’ divertiment bhal bars, discos, canteens, restaurants, take aways, snack bars u clubs hu esagerat u ingust. Il-Ligi qatt ma kellha tqis bhala kriminali lis-sidien tal-intraprizi li investew f’negozju b’sogru kollu ghalihom u bit-tfixkil kollu li jsibu s-sena kollha. Mhux accettabbli ghall-GRTU li sid ta’ negozju jigi trattat bhala kriminal u jittella l-qorti ghax sempliciment xi hadd instghab ipejjep fl-istabiliment tieghu. Sidien ta’ negozji huma obligati li jghamlu avvizi biex il-klijenti jkunu jafu l-obligi taghhom izda il-gvern qatt ma kellu jippretendi li s-sidien tan-negozji jsiru pulizija u jharrku lil klijenti taghhom stess jew li jidhlu fl-inkwiet bla bzonn ma nies li jridu jinqdew biss servizz taghhom.

Il-Ministru tas-Sahha kien ta assigurazzjoni lil GRTU li sidien ta’ negozji ma kienux ser jittelghu l-Qorti sempliciment ghax nies jpejpu fl-istabiliment taghhom. Il-GRTU temmen li hu d-dmir tal-gvern li jeduka lin-nies dwar it-tipjip u d-dmir tas-sidien tal-istabilimenti li javzaw lil klijenti li tipjip ma jistax isir, izda mhux l-obligu taghhom li jghamluha ta’ pulizija fuq n-nies.

Illum il-gvern nesa l-weghdiet kollha li ghamel. Ma semax mill-GRTU li qaltlu li l-ligi li kienet qed tkun imposta kienet ligi mhawda u kiefra fejn jidhlu s-sidien li qatt ma kellhom jkunu klassifikati bhala kriminali. Issa is-sidien qed jittelghu l-Qorti. Hu ghajb li gvern li konsistentament jghid li hu favur l-intraprizi z-zghar u li jrid izid l-investiment u l-impjiegi fl-intraprizi z-zghar ta’ pajjizna, u issa jistma lis-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar Maltin b’dan il-mod.

Il-GRTU mhux ser toqghod ghal dan. Is-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar xebghu b’din l-atitudni u l-GRTU taf li l-maggoranza assoluta tas-sidien tan-negozji Maltin hu x’inhu s-settur li jahdmu fih mhux lesti li jaccettaw aktar li jkunu stmati ta’ kriminali meta kull ma jghamlu hu li jistinkaw biex igibu n-negozju taghom il-quddiem.

Proposal of the Commission for amending "Design" Directive 98/71/EC:
The Repairs Clause Issue
[ COM (2004) 582 final – 2004/0203 (COD)]
• Il-GRTU Favur l-Ghazla Hielsa fis-Suq tal-Autoparts
• Il-GRTU flimkien mall-Malta Insurance Association tappella lill-Postament Ewropew

Proposal of the Commission for amending "Design" Directive 98/71/EC:
The Repairs Clause Issue
[ COM (2004) 582 final – 2004/0203 (COD)]
• Il-GRTU Favur l-Ghazla Hielsa fis-Suq tal-Autoparts
• Il-GRTU flimkien mall-Malta Insurance Association tappella lill-Postament Ewropew

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises tirraprezenta lil Auto Parts Dealers indipendenti, temmen li jkun zball kbir jekk is-suq tal-Autoparts ikun maghluq ghall-produtturi tal-karozzi u ghall-dawk licenzjati minnhom biex jahdmu l-Auto Parts.

Is-suq ghall-Autoparts hu kbir u l-konsumatur ghandu dritt jixtri minn fejn irid sakemm ikollu gwida cara tal-kwalita tal-prodott u li l-prodott mhux kummercjalizzat taht pretenzjonijiet foloz. Il-GRTU izda tqies illi filwaqt li s-safety hija public good u l-legizlatur ghandu l-obligu li jillegizra favur is-safety, l-kwalita’ hi sugett ghall-ghazla u l-istess hu id-disinn. Il-Kunsumatur jigifieri, ghandu d-dritt li jiddeciedi hu dwar il-kwalita u dwar l-ghazla sakemm min qed joffri l-prodott mhux qed jizgwida. Illum izda hemm attentat fl-ewropa u li ma dan ma taqbilx il-Kummissjini Ewropea biex id-disinn u l-kwalita jkunu ukoll suggetti ghall-industrial property rights. Il-GRTU ma taqbilcx ma dan ghax is-suq jigi ristrett b’mod allarmanti, jgholew il-prezzijiet, jintilfu gheluf kbar ta impjiegi u tintilef bil-kbir l-ghazla tal-konsumatur.

Illum l-kwistjoni hi dwar autoparts izda ghada din tinfirex fuq prodotti ohra. F’Malta s-suq tal-autoparts hu maqsum bejn parts li jinbieghu minghand l-agenti tal-karozzi u parts li jinbieghu minghand firxa wiesa ta’ traders u retailers ohra indipendenti li jbieghu kemm parts impurtati mill-agenti tal-karozzi kif ukoll parts importati minnhom direttament u min importaturi licenzjati ohra. Il-GRTU trid li din l-ghazla tibqa ghaliex l-ewwel u qabel kollox hi fl-ahjar interess tal-konsumatur. Hi fuq kollox l-ahjar biex f’pajjizna tissahhah il-kompetittivita u jkunu mwarrba l-effetti negattivi tal-monopolji u ta’ ditti dominanti fis-suq.

Ghall-GRTU hu importanti hafna li negozji zghar indipendenti ma jkunux imbuttati l-barra mis-suq permezz ta’ xi regolament mill-Unjoni Ewropea immirat mhux biex isahhah is-suq intern hieles Ewropew izda biex jissahhah il-monopolju ta’ min ghandu sahha spoporzjonali b’paragun mas-sahha tar-raprezentanti tal-intraprizi zghar Ewropej.

Hu ghalhekk li l-GRTU qed tissaportja l-inizjattiva tal-ECAR biex il-Parlament Ewropew jsostni r-Repairs Clause filwaqt li jissalvagwardja x-xoghol.

Invitation to a Press Conference
on the Proposal of the EU Commission for amending "Design" Directive 98/71/EC:
The Repairs Clause Issue

Malta Chamber of SME’s

Invitation to a Press Conference
on the Proposal of the EU Commission for amending "Design" Directive 98/71/EC:
The Repairs Clause Issue

The GRTU, Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Malta Insurance Association (MIA) would like to invite you to a press conference being held on Tuesday, 19th April 2005 at 10.30a.m at the GRTU office, Exchange Building, Republic Street Valletta on the European Commission’s proposal amending the “Design” Directive 98/71/EC.

A briefing note on the subject matter is here enclosed.

Vincent Farrugia Anton Felice
GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME’s Malta Insurance Association

Malta Chamber of SME’s

Proposal of the Commission for amending "Design" Directive 98/71/EC:
The Repairs Clause Issue
[ COM (2004) 582 final – 2004/0203 (COD)]

If the clause is not approved, Maltese car owners along with Europe’s 235 million vehicle owners would face higher prices, lower choice and made powerless against the dominance of vehicle manufacturers.

The spare parts market for cars faces a key test on 21st April 2005 when the European Parliament will hear whether or not car manufacturers will have the exclusive right to design car components.

At present, in Malta, if your car suffers damage, you as a consumer have the right to buy the spare part required to repair it, from your main dealer or from an independent repairer. The part may be one produced by the manufacturer or indeed one from an independent company. Therefore, you have the option of either going to your nearest dealership and buying the replacement wing or bonnet or buying one from an independent repairer, possibly also at a lower price.

The European Commission is proposing that this practice currently enjoyed in Malta and in many other European countries should be preserved through the adoption of a so-called “Repairs Clause.” This will ensure that consumer choice will be retained and that you would be able to choose what is best for your car and your budget. The resulting competition will drive down prices, boost quality, and promote innovation.

However, car manufacturers are against this proposal and their strong lobby has influenced the European Economic and Social Committee which will report to the European Parliament next Thursday.

They are looking for a rejection of this clause in order to give vehicle manufactures a virtual monopoly on the production of spare parts.

Both the GRTU, Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Malta Insurance Association (MIA) are against monopolies. We favour the “Repairs Clause” because we want to ensure competition and low prices in the repair of damaged vehicles.

It is not certain whether the “Repairs Clause” will be adopted. If rejected, we can expect higher prices, less convenient service, and more headaches the next time we need to replace a dented wing, cracked windscreen or broken headlamp.

Malta Insurance Association GRTU – Malta Chamber of SME”s

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – illum zammet diskussjonijiet mall-Ufficcju tal-Prim Ministru, mall-Kummissarju tal-Pulizija u mall-Malta Industrial Parks biex tinstab soluzzjoni ghall-problema li nholqot wara li l-Pulizija bdiet tnehhu trailers li huma pparkjati f’Hal Far.

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – illum zammet diskussjonijiet mall-Ufficcju tal-Prim Ministru, mall-Kummissarju tal-Pulizija u mall-Malta Industrial Parks biex tinstab soluzzjoni ghall-problema li nholqot wara li l-Pulizija bdiet tnehhu trailers li huma pparkjati f’Hal Far.

Il-GRTU li tirraprezenta lill-Burdnara issostni li l-garr ta’ containers fuq trailer hu parti essenzjali mix-xoghol ta’ importazzjoni u esportazzjoni u ghalhekk l-awtoritajiet ghandhom l-obligu li jaraw li jkun hemm spazju adekwat qrib l-portijiet fejn it-trailers jkunu jistghu jigu ipparkjati bla zgombru ta’ hadd. Mhux bizzejjed li l-pulizija tinghata ordni biex tnehhi t-trailers jekk ma jkunx indikat post adekwat ghax il-problema inkella tinqala’ minn naha u tintefa band’ohra.

Il-GRTU issostni wkoll li l-problema inholqot ghaliex hafna mill-ispazju disponibbli f’Hal Far qed jinghata ghal skopijiet li m’ghandhomx x’jaqsmu xejn mall-industrija u l-portijiet.

Wara diskussjonijiet mall-Kummissarji tal-Pulizija kien deciz li jitwaqqfu l-azzjonijiet tal-pulizija biex jinghata zmien li fih it-trailers jingarru f’post indikat. Fid-diskussjonijiet mall-Malta Industrial Park gie deciz li bicca art hdejn l-Container Depot ta’ Hal Far tkun riservata ghat-trailers tal-Burdnara. Il-Burdnara issa bdew inehhu t-trailers minn fejn huma ipparkjati illum ghall-post indikat.

Enterprise in Malta is in dire striates. The pressure from government is increasing as the public sector strives to resolve the financial mess it has landed in after the spending spree that Malta has experienced over the last 20 years. Under pressure from Brussels the Government of Malta now must act to resolve the financial quagmire. More spending means more deficits. More deficits means more public debt. More public debt means more taxation. More taxation means less consumption and less investments. Less investments means lower GDP. Lower GDP means we are all poorer and less able to pay the taxes imposed on us.

Enterprise in Malta is in dire striates. The pressure from government is increasing as the public sector strives to resolve the financial mess it has landed in after the spending spree that Malta has experienced over the last 20 years. Under pressure from Brussels the Government of Malta now must act to resolve the financial quagmire. More spending means more deficits. More deficits means more public debt. More public debt means more taxation. More taxation means less consumption and less investments. Less investments means lower GDP. Lower GDP means we are all poorer and less able to pay the taxes imposed on us.

Enterprise is expected to grow and compete irrespective of this situation. Entrepreneurs expect strategies to be implemented that succeed to resolve matters and lead to a better future.

GRTU however is not convinced that these strategies exist. Too many politicians and too many trade unionists and too many civil society leaders speak as if they know it all to realize one simple and fundamental truth: it is the entrepreneur that is the engine of growth. Investment is created by entrepreneurs. Jobs are created by enterprise. Whether large, medium and small enterprise must thrive. Today enterprise in Malta is not thriving. The policies that needs to be implemented to give enterprise the enthusiasm to grow investment more and plan for a better future are not visible. The future that beckons is dull if we do not resolve this basic fundamental issue. Malta needs to become enterprise driven. Unless Prime Minister introduces fundamental changes in strategies, policies and above all people in key positions, GRTU believe that we will make it. We need to succeed. Entrepreneurs are eager to give the necessary push to have the changes that matter. Together we can push government to move and change in the one right direction: in favour of enterprise.

Spizjar aggredit ghaliex ma tghax medicina minghajr ir-ricetta tat-Tabib
IL-GRTU ILLUM SARET TAF LI WIEHED MILL MEMBRI TAGHHA, SPIZJAR MINN HAL-TARXIEN, GIE AGGREDIT MINN PERSUNA LI RIED BILFORS JAKKWISTA MEDICINI BIR-RICETTA META MA KELLUX TALI RICETTA MINGHAND IT-TABIB TIEGHU.

Spizjar aggredit ghaliex ma tghax medicina minghajr ir-ricetta tat-Tabib
IL-GRTU ILLUM SARET TAF LI WIEHED MILL MEMBRI TAGHHA, SPIZJAR MINN HAL-TARXIEN, GIE AGGREDIT MINN PERSUNA LI RIED BILFORS JAKKWISTA MEDICINI BIR-RICETTA META MA KELLUX TALI RICETTA MINGHAND IT-TABIB TIEGHU.
DAN HUWA L-AHHAR MINN SERJE DEJJEM IKTAR SPISSI TA HOLD UPS U SERQIET LI QED ISIRU FUQ SPIZERIJI FIL-KOMUNITA. IL-GRTU QED TURI IT-THASSIB TAGHHA UKOLL GHAL FATT LI FTIT LI XEJN HEMM KONTROLL FUQ AKKADUT BHAL DAN.
GHALHEKK IL-GRTU QED TITLOB LI L-FORZI TAL-ORDNI FIL-PAJJIZ LI JKINU IKTAR KONXJI MIR-RISKJI LI JGHADDU MINNHOM IS-SIDIEN U L-HADDIEMA LI QEGHDIN HEMM WARA KOLLOX BIEX JAGHTU SERVIZZ LIL POPLU. IL-GRTU TISHAQ LI SPIZERIJA MHUX NEGOZJU BHAL KWALUNKWE IEHOR IMMA SERVIZZ LIL- KOMUNITA U LI FIH MINNU CERTI RISKJI.
FILWAQT LI L-GRTU TISHAQ LI KULL SPIZERIJA GHANDHA TINVESTI F-SISTEMI TAS-SIGURTA BHAL CAMERAS, ALARMS, U PANIC BUTTON ALARMS, JIBQA L-FATT LI SER TAGHMEL LAQGHA MAL-KUMMISSARJU TAL-PULIZIJA U L-MINISTERU TAS-SAHHA HALLI TARA X’MIZURI JISTGHU JITTIEHDU BIEX ITTAFFI IS-SITWAZZJONI LI QED TIZVILUPPA. IL-PRESIDENT TAS-SEZZJONI TAL-FARMACIJA TAL-GRTU , MARIO DEBONO, QED JITLOB LIL KULL MEMBRU BIEX JAGHTI L-KONTRIBUT TIEGHU BILLI JISSUGGERIXXI X’MIZUI JITGHU JIGU PROPOSTI LILL-AWTORITAJIET.

Il-Gvern injora ghal kollox in-Negozji z-Zghar ta’ Pajjizna.

Il-Gvern li suppost ghandu bhala ghan ewlieni li jghin lill-intraprizi z-zghar ta’ pajjizna jifjorixxu, illum ta’ daqqa ohra bla sens lil numru kbir ta’ negozji zghar Maltin. Mill-lum 5 ta’ April numru ta’ bars, snack bars, kafetteriji u hwienet ohra tkomplew intghafsu bl-esagerazzjoni ta’ regolamenti dwar it-tipjip li impona l-gvern bla konsultazzjoni ma hadd.

Il-Gvern injora ghal kollox in-Negozji z-Zghar ta’ Pajjizna

Il-Gvern li suppost ghandu bhala ghan ewlieni li jghin lill-intraprizi z-zghar ta’ pajjizna jifjorixxu, illum ta’ daqqa ohra bla sens lil numru kbir ta’ negozji zghar Maltin. Mill-lum 5 ta’ April numru ta’ bars, snack bars, kafetteriji u hwienet ohra tkomplew intghafsu bl-esagerazzjoni ta’ regolamenti dwar it-tipjip li impona l-gvern bla konsultazzjoni ma hadd.

Zgur li la l-GRTU u lanqas is-sidien tan-negozji ma huma favur it-tipjip u zgur li hadd ma jrid jinkoraggixxi uzanzi li huma ta’ hsara ghas-sahha. Izda, isostni l-GRTU, hemm mod u mod kif isiru l-affarijiet. Hemm il-mod selvagg li taqbad u timponi ghax tahseb li int b’sahhtek u li int biss tifhem.. U hemm il-mod l-iehor li titkellem, tikkonsulta u taghmel l-affarijiet b’mod li dak li hu sewwa jsir bl-anqas hsara.

Is-sistema li ndtroduca l-gvern fil-kaz tat-tipjip hi sistema li taghmilha impossibli ghall-kollox li jsir dak li sar f’pajjizi ohra fejn l-affarijiet saru bil-galbu, jigifieri li tinzamm l-ghazla ghand il-konsumatur u hwienet zghar jiddeciedu huma jekk ikunux “smoking” jew “non smoking” u wkoll li fejn hu possibli tinzamm ghazla li jkun hemm spazju ghal min ma jridx tipjip u ghal min irid ipejjep. F’Malta sar ban totali u assolut. Malta hi l-unika pajjiz fid-dinja li impona ligi esagerata bhal din. Mhux veru li fil-prattika inghatat ghazla ghaliex ir-regolamenti ghall-postijiet fejn suppost jista jsir it-tipjip tant huma iebsa, strambi u jqumu flus li biex taghmilhom, fil-verita huma mpossibli u mhux possibli li xi hadd ihaddimhom skond il-Ligi.

L-isforzi tal-GRTU biex ta’ lanqas thajjar lil gvern jikkonsulta u jfassal ligi li tista’ tithaddem bla inkwiet zejjed, fallew. Il-ftahir tal-gvern li jrid jghin lin-negozji z-zghar sfuma kollu ghax konsultazzjoni serja dwar din l-kwistjoni ma sarert qatt. Dan il-GRTU qed tghidu biex kulhadd jkun jaf li fejn jidhlu n-negozji z-zghar ghall-gvern bejn kliem u fatti hemm bahar jaqsam.

Il-parir pubbliku tal-GRTU lill-Prim Ministru hu wiehed car: jekk trid tirbah s-support tas-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar ta’ pajjizna ma tistax tibqa’ zzomm Ministri arroganti bhal Dr Louis Deguara. Zmienhom ghadda u l-pajjiz jixraqlu ahjar.

L-ahhar cifri dwar l-inflazzjoni fil-pajjizi tal-Unjoni Ewropea turi li Malta ghandha inflazzjoni gholja mill-medja tal-imsiehba l-ohra tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Din ir-rata ma tirriflettix l-andament reali tal-ekonomija Maltija. L-ekonomija Maltija illum m’hiex tuza l-potenzjal kollu taghha u l-inflazzjoni hi htija taz-zidiet fl-ispejjez imposti mill-gvern stess. Suppost li Malta kellha tiehu mizuri biex flimkien mall-pajjizi l-ohra fl-Unjoni Ewropea, tithaddem strategija ekonomika u socjali li tpoggi lil Unjoni Ewropea u l-membri stati fl-ghola livell ta’ zvilupp fid-dinja. Dawn il-mizuri izda f’pajjizna ghadhom ftit wisq u x’uhud huma bil-maqlub.

L-ahhar cifri dwar l-inflazzjoni fil-pajjizi tal-Unjoni Ewropea turi li Malta ghandha inflazzjoni gholja mill-medja tal-imsiehba l-ohra tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Din ir-rata ma tirriflettix l-andament reali tal-ekonomija Maltija. L-ekonomija Maltija illum m’hiex tuza l-potenzjal kollu taghha u l-inflazzjoni hi htija taz-zidiet fl-ispejjez imposti mill-gvern stess. Suppost li Malta kellha tiehu mizuri biex flimkien mall-pajjizi l-ohra fl-Unjoni Ewropea, tithaddem strategija ekonomika u socjali li tpoggi lil Unjoni Ewropea u l-membri stati fl-ghola livell ta’ zvilupp fid-dinja. Dawn il-mizuri izda f’pajjizna ghadhom ftit wisq u x’uhud huma bil-maqlub.

Din l-Istrategija mhiex tintlahaq mill-Unjoni Ewropea, u zgur mhux qed isir minn Malta. L-indikazzjonijiet ekonomici kollha li hergin qed juru li Malta mhux toqrob lejn l-Istrategija ta’ Lisbona u kellha twassal biex kull membru stat jghati sehem biex l-Ewropa tavvanza.

Barra r-rata tal-inflazzjoni, Malta waqghet lura fir-rata tat-tkabbir tal-GDP li sal-2003 mhux talli ma mexhiex il-quddiem izda, waqa’ lura hlief ghas-sena 2002 u li sal-lum it-tkattir ekonomiku mhu xejn sodisfacenti. Dan jistona hafna mar-rati ta’ tkattir ekonomiku ta’ pajjizi ohra fl-Unjoni fl-istess grad ta’ zvilupp ta’ Malta.

L-istess gara fil-Bilanc tal-Kummerc ma barra fejn id-differenza bejn dak li naqilghu mill-esportazzjoni u dak li nonfqu fl-importazzjoni qed ikun negattiv u bla tama ta’ bilanc posittiv ghas-sena 2005 u 2006.

Il-problema ewlenija tibqa dik li Malta mhux taghmel sforzi bizzejjed biex tkattar l-kompetittivita b’paragun ma pajjizi ohra. Il-pajjizi l-ohra kollha li jikkompetu maghna ghas-swieq Ewropej, kemm dawk tal-esportazzjoni kif ukoll dawk tat-turizmu kollha qed jirnexxielhom izidu l-kompetittivita taghhom b’rati li huma tlieta ghall-erba’ darbiet aktar minn dak li qed tirregistra Malta, dan b’mod partikulari fil-qasam tal-prezz tax-xoghol. F’Malta il-qaghad hu f’livell gholi filwaqt li l-labour costs flok nezlien, dejjem telghin.

F’dan l-isfond ta’ inkwiet ekonomiku serju l-GRTU- l-Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – qed tappella lil gvern u lill-imsiehba socjali kollha biex isir sforz akbar biex Malta jirnexxielha bis-serjeta’ thaddem strategija li tkattar l-kompetittivita ta’ pajjizna. Zgur li l-kompetitittivita mhux ser toghla b’inkwiet industrijali bla bzonn u b’aktar zidiet fl-ispejjez ghal min ihaddem u jinvesti..

Il-pajjiz jehtieg perjodu nieqes minn inkwiet industrijali u kulhadd irid igorr r-responsabilta shiha tieghu biex l-argumenti jirrisolvu bil-konciljazzjoni u l-ftehim u bla hafna sfrattar zejjed u bla bzonn. Fuq kollox il-pajjiz jixraqlu sensiela ta’ mizuri miftehma bejn l-imsiehba socjali u immirati biex bis-serjeta pajjizna jilhaq l-miri mfassla f’Lisbona.