Category: Archive – 2009

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament organised a hearing on the revision of the EUROVIGNETTE Directive in Brussels.

This Directive carries with it a risk of triggering a further increase in transport costs without achieving the desired environmental improvements. While we share the main aim of the proposal to mitigate the environmental and health-related side effects of transport, the three organisations regretted that it focuses only on the internalisation of external transport cost into road transport prices.

Witnessing the lack of a proper assessment of all policy options in line with its European representative GRTU stresses that the review must not allow Member States to charge the road transport sector for all external cost factors, all the less so in an unlimited manner as suggested by the Parliament's rapporteur.

Finally, all future revenues must be reinvested to mitigate external effects in the sector which is asked to pay.

 

In the run-up to the 2009 Euro-elections, the European Citizens' Consultations 2009 (ECC 2009) will give citizens a voice in the debate over how to respond to the current economic and financial crisis by providing a platform for a pan-European dialogue on the future of Europe.

The ECC 2009 will give all European citizens an opportunity to join in the discussion on how the EU can shape our economic and social future in a globalised world, the first stage in a process which will culminate in a European Citizens' Summit in May 2009.

The national websites will give everyone the chance to discuss and share their views on this crucial issue, and help develop recommendations for national and European policy-makers. Their ideas will be fed into national consultations which will be held in the EU-27 in March next year, involving some 1500 citizens from all walks of life. The outcome of all these deliberations will be handed over to policymakers at the European Citizens' Summit in May.

ECC 2009 is co-funded by the European Commission under its "Debate Europe" programme. A similar exercise was carried out successfully for the first time in 2007, this time round, the Citizens' Consultations in Malta will be held on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of March 2009. For more information please do not hesitate to contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU.

Source: Funding 4 y EU

GRTU participated to the presentation of the Priorities and work programme of the new Czech Presidency. High on the Agenda was the financial crises which the Czech Presidency seems committed to find a solution. This item fell under one of the tree ‘E's outlined by the Presidency as Priorities: Economy, Energy, EU in the World.

Under Economy what was also mentioned was reinforcing competitiveness, applying internal market freedoms and improving the regulatory environment.

Their commitment on Energy reflects the trend evolving into a time bomb which if not addressed immediately will explode. The Presidency mentioned ensuring secure and competitive energy, the development of an internal electricity and gas market and climate protection.

Under the third priority the development of cooperation and enforcement relations with Eastern countries, the accession to the European Union of Croatia while the negotiations of Turkey are to continue and emphasis on the transatlantic relations.

The questions directed from the floor were quite similar mostly focusing on environment and illegal immigration. On both subjects the spokesman of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic explained that they will be continuing the very good work done by the French Presidency.

He was not however certain on how to answer to the Director General of GRTU's comment. Vincent Farrugia concentrated on the case of small economies. He said he is please the Presidency is held by a small economy so maybe small economies will start to be given priority. Mr Farrugia mentioned the new Stimulus Package, which like the Stability and Growth Pact is a good initiative however fell short of addressing the specificities of a small economy.

Small economies, Mr Farrugia explained, are effected more drastically then larger ones in economic change. Mr Farrugia asked whether, being themselves a small economy, they have in their priorities programmes that will give small economies a front seat when drafting legislation and packages.

The Czech representative admitted he was not prepared for this question and he would have to discuss it before giving an answer.

Government's intervention in the market to the new vehicle registration/ annual licence regime continues to create problems for all operators in the market.

GRTU is in a unique position to comment as it represents dealers of all cars in the market, whether newly imported, used or second hand cars, sold from local auto dealers.

The aim of GRTU has been all along to create a level playing field for all, together with a good price structure to satisfy consumer needs irrespective of whether they want a used car for local dealers, a newly imported used car or a brand new model imported by the traditional car importers.

GRTU has striven to ensure that first and foremost cars in stock at all dealers will not loose their value because of the changes in the text regime. Auto  dealers of second hand cars are suffering greatly as the new tax regime effects the value of the cars in their stocks by up to 35%. This loss is being caused purely by Government action and GRTU is demanding compensation for local auto dealers importers of second hand car dealers, whether from the UK or from Japan. Both presently have a large stock and GRTU has insisted with Government to ensure that these traders will not suffer a devaluation of their stocks.

Essentially GRTU sought a breathing space for these traders until such time when all importers will be faced with a common level playing field. GRTU has however insisted all along that the consumer should not be burdened with taxation that would inhibit  in any way the purchase of new cars imported by the traditional car importers.

The general attitude of the EU Commission is to encourage trading of new cars especially those that are most environmentally friendly  and Malta cannot act otherwise. GRTU is acting in a wise enough manner, that while maintaining the balance between the three sectors of automobile dealers will satisfy faithfully the consumers` desire for general lower prices and wider choice.

The impression is being given that Government is more keen on ensuring that its revenue remains the top most priority.

One cannot introduce an effective reform if the main criteria is tax revenue.

GRTU is informed that the National Statistics Office sent a survey to the Pharmacies  in the Pharmacy Of Your Choice Scheme. Together with the Chamber of Pharmacists, GRTU was neither consulted nor informed on the content of this survey. GRTU and the Chamber of Pharmacists therefore are giving a Directive to Pharmacy owners not to fill-in the survey until further notice. We inform you that next week GRTU and the Chamber of Pharmacists will hold a meeting for all Pharmacists in the POYC.

GRTU has received many complaints from its members about the fines that have been sent by NSO, after not filling the required forms as part of NSOs regular data collection.

Many of our members were startled with these fines mostly because their practice was not to fill it in since this constituted a heavy administrative burden on businesses. NSO has the legal right to impose the fines however this was a practice NSO had stopped using for a good number of years.

In an urgent meeting held with NSO officials, GRTU explained that the forms they send are very bureaucratic and time wasters for businesses and that these forms can be easily avoidable.

GRTU's Director General Vincent Farrugia presented our case very well and therefore they agreed that if the businesses that have received a fine fill in the required forms by the end of January they will consider waiving the fine.

NSO rightly pointed out that the fines were not issued out suddenly, but were issued after several reminders.

We in principle agree that statistics are very important, we however do not agree that businesses are to be burdened when it can be avoided.

Since NSO also agreed that if we work together much of the unnecessary burdens can be avoided they have given us a commitment that we will start tackling this problem immediately and GRTU will do its best to ensure the burdens are tangibly diminished.

GRTU therefore once  urges those who have received a fine to comply and fill in the necessary forms.

You are also invited to contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU in case you should have any questions or would like to discuss the issue in more detail.

Later on in January GRTU will be participating in an official visit accompanying HE The President of Malta, Dr Edward Fenech Adami.

We would like to urge you as our member to send us your company profile so that these can be given to the relevant businesses and officials and a possible contact is created.

These should be sent as soon as possible for the necessary preparations.

 

 

Marco Polo was launched in December 2006, with a budget of €450 million for the period 2007/2013, the second Marco Polo programme, as its predecessor, contributes to an efficient and sustainable transport system by backing commercial undertakings which set up intermodal – rail, sea and road – freight transport services.
Support goes to firms to enable them to offer more environmentally sustainable services in international freight transport markets. The emphasis is on services, as Marco Polo does not support research projects or the development of core infrastructure.

 

Marco Polo support may be given for three main types of actions: Modal shift actions: to provide aid to start up services. Projects should be robust, but not necessarily innovative: aiming simply to shift freight off roads; Catalyst actions: aim to overcome structural barriers in the market. Projects should be highly innovative, aiming to achieve a real breakthrough and aim to improve cooperation and sharing of know-how. Objective is mutual training to help cope with an increasingly complex transport and logistics market; Traffic avoidance actions: aim to integrate transport into production logistics to avoid a large percentage of freight transport by road.

Marco Polo support is open to commercial undertakings only. Projects must demonstrate a European dimension to be eligible for support. They should cover an international route, involving EU territory and that of ‘close third countries'.

Proposals can only be submitted in response to an annual call published in the EU's Official Journal. The Marco Polo website gives indicative dates for forthcoming calls and full information.

Subsidy calculations are always based on the route the truck would have taken, if the freight had not been shifted to an alternative mode of transport (ship, rail or a combination of ship and rail).

Only projects concerning freight transport services may be supported by the Marco Polo programme. Infrastructure projects, RTD and study projects are not eligible for support.
Only commercial undertakings are eligible to participate, but administrations may be up to 100 % owners of participating commercial undertakings.

The 2009 Call for Proposals will be published late January 2009 and will remain open until the end of April 2009.

For more information please contact Abigail Mamo at GRTU offices.

GRTU has for the past days been conducting a survey among shop owners in all business sectors.  Various comments were noted even from retailers selling the same items. We would like to point out that this is the first time that GRTU received such mixed reaction during the festive season.

Those surveyed are shop owners operating in gift shops, stationeries, jewellers, clothing outlets, footwear outlets, super/mini markets, services section, perfumery outlets, toy outlets, household goods and IT.

 

 

As general business during the festive season, when compared to the same period in 2007, none of the businesses registered an increase of more than 20%. Some 10% however registered an increase of 5 to 10% while 20% or respondents registered and increase under 5%. 50% reporte that the going of the businesses was the same as that of last year while 5 % said there was a slow down in the activity of under 5 % and an equal amount reported a decrease of 5% to 10%. A good 10% also reported a decrease from 20% to 40% however none went under 40%.

Some shop owners registering high sales were also playing it safe when it come to stocks, focusing on top-selling items.

Offers and incentive schemes proved to be very popular this year with 75% going for this option. In order to attract more customers and boost sales, some retail outlets started their sales early this Christmas, others offered gifts.

Various shop owners were of the opinion that the country is at the moment passing through a period of uncertainty and that consumers where refraining from spending their money due to the awaiting higher utility bills amongst the most popular reasons. Of those who opted for incentive schemes 45% felt that these improved their business performance and 20% felt it had a negative effect due to the increase in costs.

The busiest day registered was the 8^th December. They expected this trend to last until Christmas Eve as in previous years, their hopes however did not materialise.

As for factors negatively effecting the going of the business the most popular answer with 50% was lack of consumer confidence, the financial crises with 35%, increase in the business expenses and increased competition.

Moreover, while sales are still underway businessmen are still complaining that business has not yet caught up. Mentioning reasons such as the global recession.

As for the business prospects for 2009 negativity prevails with 49% followed by probably a more worrying factor: uncertainty at 35%. 8% thought they were not expecting any changes for 2009 and another 8 % have positive prospects.