Category: Archive – 2010

Lower your operating costs by investing in energy saving measures and renewable energy technologies.

Efficient use of energy has become a priority for the enterprises that want to ensure sustainability.  Energy saving measures and renewable energy technologies can help the enterprises to:

• Lower energy costs
• Reduce the impact on the environment
• Make efficient use of natural resources

The ERDF Energy Grant Scheme is an opportunity for proactive businesses that are willing to invest in solutions that will help reduce the impact of energy costs on their business.

Benefits

Enterprises may be awarded a 50% refund on their approved projects.  Costs may be claimed on investments in:

• energy saving solutions such as intelligent lighting systems, solar heating, thermal insulation, build management systems and energy-saving lighting
• alternative energy technologies such as solar power and wind power.

Application Process

The third call for applications under this scheme is currently open. One original bound and sealed Application Form and the supporting annexes must be deposited in the respective tender box at  Malta Enterprise bearing the name of the call for proposals by Friday 26th March 2010 at noon.

For further details please refer to the following link http://www.energy.maltaenterprise.com/ Dates for info sessions will be published soon on this website.

 MELCON (INDIA)

An ISO 9001: 2008 certified transformer manufacturing unit based in Alwar, Rajasthan specializing in manufacture of –

· Three Phase Distribution & Power Transformers | Range: 5 KVA to 10000 KVA up to 33 KV Class

· Servo Controlled stabilized Transformers

· Furnace Transformers (Arc furnace/ Induction furnaces

· Dry type Transformers

· Isolation Transformers

· Hermetically Sealed Transformers

· Single Phase – Distribution & Power Transformers | Range: 5 KVA to 167 KVA upto 33 KV Class

An approved supplier to Jaipur V.V.N.L, DVVNL, Jodhpur V.V.N.L, Indian Railways, Military Engineering Services, Continental Foundation Joint Venture (C.F.J.V), National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Ltd, H.P, Assam(N.H.P.C), Jaypee Minerals, Rajasthan Co-op.Dairy Federation Ltd, Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd, Ranchi (H.E.C.), PHPA, Bhutan, Steel Authority of India Ltd, Durgapur (S.A.I.L), Hindustan Copper Ltd, Jharkhand (H.C.L), Crompton Greaves Lucy Switchgear Ltd, Nashik, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, Sidhi (N.T.P.C.), etc

Serving a wide span of industries including Electricity Boards,
Power Projects, Railways, Telecom, Steel, Paper, Textile, Shoe, Hospitals, Real Estate, Food Processing, etc for over 2 decades.

MELCON brand is well renowned for durability and energy efficiency products ( B.E.E – Bureau of Energy Efficiency, New Delhi, CTL- JVVNL approved transformers), customized to the requirement along with immediate attention in respect of after sales service.

Technical experience and expertise to manufacture power
and distribution transformers to the international standards (IS, IEC, ANSI, BIS, NEPA BEE, As applicable).

HERBALIFE (SWEDEN)

Herbalife began in California in 1980, and we've been changing people's lives ever since. We offer nutrition, weight-management and personal care products exclusively through a network of approximately 1.9 million Distributors in 70 countries. The products have been developed and examined by our Medical Advisory board consisting of 60 scientists and physicians from all over the World, including Dr. Luis Ignarro – Nobel Prize winner in 1998.

Our Mission is to change people's lives by providing the best nutrition and weight management products in the world and the best business opportunity in direct selling.

Herbalife have had tremendous success throughout all our previous launches in Europe.

If you are sincerely interested in a good business opportunity in Malta we will shortly have a complete presentation of the Herbalife opportunity.

For your personal invitation please respond by sending us your contact details (including e-mail and mobile- or home phone No.). Send details to Björn Gävert:

Baltic Sea Investment and Partnership Forum

Klaipeda, Lithuania            13-14 May 2010

Maltese companies interested in meeting business partners from the Baltic Sea region [Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Kaliningrad (the Russian Federation), Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Poland] are invited to participate in this matchmaking event. The event will primarily focus on the following business sectors: 

• Alternative and renewable energy; Tourism;Industry; Maritime and shipping; Investment and R&D.

The participation in the matchmaking event is free of charge and the individual meetings will be organised according to the demands of the participating companies. Participants will be also given lunch vouchers and an invitation to a networking dinner on the first evening.  Moreover, visits to the Klaipeda Science Park, to successful renewable energy companies in the region and to tourism and cultural organizations will be organised accordingly.  Financial assistance [partially offsetting travel and accommodation costs] will be available.

Lithuania – crossroads of 3 markets:

Lithuania is located on the very crossroads of 3 huge markets. It's strategically close to the western EU markets [with a population of 340 million], whereas the eastern markets of Russia and the CIS countries are just by its side with a population of circa 250 million.  Not to mention the Baltic Region which enjoys a population of 110 million.

Lithuania is the largest and most diversified industry in Northeastern Europe and it is a perfect place to generate and realize new ideas. It enjoys an environment that is conducive to business – with engineering potential and vast possibilities for business and science collaboration, thus offering a diversified business platform.

This particular matchmaking event will take place in Klaipeda – the third largest city in Lithuania, situated in the Western part of the country.  It is strategically located on the Baltic Sea enjoying convenient transport corridors with huge potential for business and innovation development, investment and tourism.

Fire Doors

Products falling under this Directive include amongst others doors subject to fire/smoke regulations (fire doors), and require that the CE mark is affixed to the product after appropriate tests are carried out and a declaration of conformity is issued.

Thus, all fire doors imported into, or manufactured in the European Union, including Malta, are required to have the CE marking affixed to them. Manufacturers retain the responsibility for certify the conformity of their products to the relevant essential requirements of the Directive.

It is also essential that before issuing an EC declaration of conformity, the manufacturer or his authorized representative establish in the Community provides a technical construction file. It is not, however, essential that all documentation be permanently available in a manner, but it must be made available on demand.

Should you have any queries or require further information on the matter, please contact Ing Michael Cassar on telephone number 21242420 or email to .

Amendment to the Regulation

The Construction Products Directive (89/106/EC) makes reference to harmonised European Standards. These are technical standards which describe the technical specifications which a product needs to comply with. They also describe the procedure which allows the manufacturer to affix the CE marking symbol on the product. The affixing of the CE label on products covered by a harmonised European Standard is mandatory. These harmonised standards from time to time are revised by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in order to keep up with the progress which technology is making. The revision of the standards implies that the list which makes reference to these standards also needs to be revised. This list was recently revised at European level and therefore there was the need to reflect these changes also in the national Regulation which transposes the Construction Products Directive. This need was addressed by the Construction Products (Amendments) Regulations, 2010.

For more information on the amendments kindly contact Thomas Consoli @ Malta Standards Authority.

Following complaints raised by members about an additional tariff imposed by the Customs Authority for importation of footwear in 2006 from China and Vietnam, GRTU won the reimbursement of this bill to the traders affected.

The Customs Department at the end of last year decided to impose an additional anti-dumping tariff retrospectively, when they were abundantly aware that the goods were sold as long as three years ago and that there was no way that business could recuperate this additional cost from customers. This charge was being imposed without prior notice or notification.

GRTU had therefore advised its members to pay the amount that was being requested by Customs under protest as otherwise they would be immediately black listed by customs. GRTU then protested strongly with the authorities and demanded the exemption from payment or the reimbursement of such payment.

GRTU therefore notifies its member that if the Customs Department has issued an order of payment on these lines and the amount has been settled they have should have received reimbursement of this payment.

If this is not so we kindly urge you to contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU.

Pre-Ambolu

F`dan ir-rapport se naghti harsa lejn fejn wasalna s`issa bhala Kamra tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji fix-xoghol taghna fl-2009. Nirraporta wkoll fuq l-issues l-aktar importanti li ghandna quddiemna hekk kif qed inkomplu bl-isforzi biex nintegraw aktar l-ekonomija ta` pajjizna ma`dik tal-Unjoni Ewropea li taghha ahna parti integrali. L-issues li qed nishaq fuqhom huma dawk li jolqtu lis-settur kummercjali u dak tal-intraprizi zghar u medji f`kuntest ekonomiku Malti u Ewropew.

L-2009

Din zgur li kienet wahda mill-aghar snin ghal ekonomija mondjali.
F`hafna pajjizi il-qaghad qabez l-ghoxrin fil-mija, s-salarji gew
imqaccta u l-bejgh mill-hwienet f’xi pajjizi bhal Latvia naqas aktar
minn 30%. F’ Malta skond l-istatistika tal-Eurostat il-bejgh
mill-hwienet naqas b’19.6% li hi r-raba l-aktar waqa fil-bejgh fost
il-pajjizi tal-EU fejn il-medja hi ta’ nuqqas ta’ 4%.

Il-prospetti ghas-sena 2010 ma tantx huma tajbin u ghalhekk hu
importanti hafna li ahna nkomplu nixprunaw il-Gvern biex jaghmel dak li
hu possibli sabiex in-negozji zghar ta`pajjizna ma jitkissrux u li
l-ekonomija fil-limitu tal-finanzi li ghandu l-pajjiz izzomm il-waqa`
l-isfel u terga tibda tikber.
Il-GRTU sa minn Gunju 2008 rat dan l-ghawg gej u kienet strumentali
biex timbotta l-Gvern sabiex johloq strategija ta` konteniment biex
il-mewg ekonomiku ma jkissirniex. Il-Gvern ha hafna mill-pariri
tal-GRTU matul l-ahhar erba’ xhur ta’ l-2008 u aktar u aktar matul
l-2009. Ghalkemm il-GRTU iddikjarat pubblikament wara il-Budget
tal-2009 li l-Gvern ma kienx kuragguz bizzejjed, xorta hadna bizzejjed
sabiex id-daqqa tal-ekonomija ma tolqotnix qawwija daqs kif laqtet
lill-pajjizi ohra. Illum nokorbu bli gara, izda hadd ma jobsor x`seta
gara kieku qaghadna b`idejna fuq zaqqna u ma konniex il-hin kollu nafsu
fuq il-Gvern.

Il-GRTU iccaqalqet mhux biss fil-livell
lokali imma wkoll fuq livell Ewropew. Ahna  uzajna l-influwenza dejjem
tikber li llum ghandna bhala GRTU fil-EuroCommerce, fil-UEAPME, fl-EESC
u mall-Kummissjoni Ewropea biex nizguraw li l-Unjoni Ewropea jkollha
pakkett ta` stimulu ekonomiku li jipprijorizza l-intrapriza zghira u
medja. Id-Direttur General tal-GRTU f’isem l-GRTU u l-intraprizi ta`
Malta ghamel parti mit-Task Force tal-UEAPME li nnegozzjat
mall-Kummissjoni dwar dan il-pakkett ta’ stimolu.

Il-lobbying
ta` organizazzjonijiet bhal GRTU permezz tal-interventi diretti
mall-Kummissjoni Ewropea u mal-Gvernijiet kellhom l-effett taghhom u
jekk l-ekonomiji Ewropej ma nbarmux daqs dawk f`regjuni ohra, inkluzi
dawk Amerikani,  hu sforz tal-mexxejja tal-SMEs Ewropej li fi zmien
verament hazin ghan-negozji hdimna biex ir-realtajiet ekonomici
tan-negozji zghar u medji jkunu maghrufa u jitfasslu skemi ta’ support.
Dawn l-affarijiet jiehdu z-zmien, pero’ illum ghandna numru ta’ skemi
li jekk jithaddmu tajjeb sid in-negozju ghandu bihom ghajnuna li
fir-ricessjonijiet ekonomici ta’ qabel ma kellux bhalhom. Il-pakkett
ta` stimulu li sfurzajna l-Unjoni Ewropea taddotta jiehu wkoll in
konsiderazzjoni l-problemi tal-ekonomiji zghar bhal Malta u wkoll
l-problemi tal-intraprizi zghar u medji f’kuntest ta’ ekonomija zghira
u miftuha bhal Malta.  Dan kien l-ikbar kontribut li tghat il-GRTU ghal
Malta.

Ix-xoghol tal-GRTU bhala kelliema tan-negozji zghar
u medji kemm f`Malta kif ukoll fuq livell Ewropew qatt ma kien b`sahhtu
u rikonoxxut daqs illum ghax is-sistema li tuza l-GRTU hi winner: ahna
nippreparaw ruhna sew u nuzaw il-mezzi kollha possibbli biex il-fatti
inkunu nafuhom.  Nuzaw il-Ministri Maltin, l-MEUSAC u l-kuntatti
diretti regolari li ghandna mall-Prim Ministru u mall-Ministru
tal-Finanzi biex nizguraw li l-pozizzjoni li tiehu Malta tkun
influwenzata minnha. Ahna mbaghad nahdmu fuq livell Ewropew biex
nizguraw li l-htigijiet ta’ Malta jiddahhlu fit-talbiet li l-ghaqdiet
Ewropej li minnhom nghamlu parti jikludu wkoll l-interessi ta’ pajjiz
zghir bhal Malta. Ahna kburin li dan hu servizz li ahna qed naghtu mhux
biss lill-membri taghna u lis-settur kummercjali Malti kollu, izda
lill-pajjizna.

Qasam li ahna issa sirna tajbin fih u li
jaghti sodisfazzjon kbir lil hafna membri li jippartecipaw maghna huwa
dak tar-ricerka, fejn ahna kontinwament insaqsu lil intraprizi li
nirraprezentaw kif jahsbuha, x`iridu u x`inhuma jesperjenzaw fuq
diversi kwistjonijiet. Ir-rizultat ta’ dan kollu jghinna biex infasslu
soluzzjonijiet u strategiji li jaghmlu sens ghal intraprizi Maltin u li
ahna nizguraw li l-veduti taghna jkunu nkluzi fil-proposti tal-ghaqdiet
Ewropej. Ahna qatt ma nitolbu t-twettiq tal-impossibbli, dejjem
fl-isfond ta` dak li hu possibbli u dak li jridu n-nies li
nirraprezentaw ahna. Li taghmel il-GRTU hu li tipproponi u tinnegozja,
mhux dejjem jigina kollox sew, imma l-influwenza taghna hi kbira u
rikonoxxuta. Reputazzjoni tajba ma tirbahiex b`xejn. Trid tahdem
ghaliha.

Fil-GRTU llum barra l-kapacita’ u l-esperjenza
tad-Direttur Generali, s-sostenn kontinwu tal-President u tal-membri
tal-Kunsill u tal-Kumitati tal-GRTU u l-hafna advisers li ghandna,
ghandna wkoll team ta` nies jahdmu fil-GRTU li hu bla dubju l-aqwa li
l-GRTU qatt kellha u lkoll jahdmu minn qalbhom u b`entuzjazmu. Il-GRTU
illum mhux biss ghandna Ufficcini li jghamluna kburin imma ghandna
ukoll team li jghamlilna gieh. Irnexxielna f’dawn l-ahhar ftit snin
nirriformaw, nirristrutturaw u niddicentralizzaw biex dahhalna aktar
rapidita’ fl-azzjoni u aktar rapport dirett mall-membri taghna. Hu
ghalhekk li din is-sena kellna hafna aktar kuntatti diretti mall-membri
taghna f’diversi oqsma u lokalitajiet u li din is-sena organizzajna
aktar laqghat generali ta’ sezzjonijiet, aktar laqghat fil-lokalitajiet
u aktar laqghat ta’ Kumitati u hdimna fuq aktar suggetti milli qatt
hdimna qabel.
Il-GRTU mhix organizazzjoni piramida fejn kollox irid
jghaddi minn fuq nett imma hi organizazzjoni catta bl-inqas burokrazija
possibli li taghti inizjattiva lil min irid jahdem biex jahdem u
jmexxi. Li ghamilna din is-sena huwa li fassalna fil-bidu tas-sena
programm ta’ hidma li jinkludi l-pilastri ta’ azzjoni li qed issemmi
hawn taht u l-membri ta l-istaff gew inkarigati minn oqsma differenti u
li jirrapurtaw direttament dwarhom lid-Direttur Generali. Barra dawn
il-pilastri il-GRTU hadmet ukoll fuq numru ta` kwistjonijiet li johrogu
minn programm ta` hidma tal-EuroCommerce u UEAPME u li jolqtu
lill-Kummercjanti u l-SMEs kemm f’Malta kif ukoll fil-kumplament
tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Dwar din l-issue importanti u l-hidma taghna
qieghed nirraporta aktar l-isfel. Il-pilastri tax-xoghol taghna kienu
dawn:

•    L-ekonomija lokali
•    Retailing u s-sistema ta`distribuzzjoni
•    Kummerc lokali u internazzjonali
•    Transport u logistika u portijiet
•    Affarijiet tal-Konsumatur u ta Kompetizzjoni Gusta
•    Agevolazzjonijiet fiskali u skemi ta`support lill-SMEs
•    Zvilupp u Kostruzzjoni
•    Energija u Ambjent
•    Health and Safety u Food Hygiene
•    Teknologija tal-informazzjoni
•    Internazzjonalizazzjoni
•    Attivita’ Ekonomika fil-Lokalitajiet
•    L-Ekonomija Ghawdxija
•    EU Funding u EU Support
•    Affarijiet Rurali
•    Affarijiet ta`sahha u s-settur tal-Farmacewtika
•    Regolamenti u ligijiet tax-xoghol
•    Taxxi u sistemi fiskali
•    GRTU financing

Fil-GRTU
illum nimpjegaw tmienja min-nies u l-Kunsill jaqsam ix-xoghol bi
President u sitt Vici Presidenti. Illum ix-xoghol tal-GRTU kiber immens
u qed isir dejjem aktar difficli. Dejjem tikber il-problema ta` kif
nzommu lil kulhadd infurmat b`dak kollu li jigri. Fil-bicca l-kbira
tal-kazi l-membri jkunu jafu biss dak li jolqot lilhom direttament u ma
jobsru qatt li hemm elf haga ohra li fuqhom l-GRTU qed tahdem.
Il-fiducja hi ghalhekk importanti hafna ghax nohorgu kemm nohorgu GRTU
newSTRINGS, nibghatu kemm nibghatu emails u ittri, ncemplu kemm
incemplu u naghmlu kemm naghmlu laqghat, qatt mhu bizzejjed biex
kulhadd ikun infurmat u jkun sodisfatt. Infatti illum hi spiza enormi
ghal GRTU biex izzomm il-membri l-hin kollu infurmati.  In-Newsletter
li naggornaw kwazi kuljum flimkien mal-website u l-emails ma jaqtghu
qatt, u t-telefonati jiswew il-flus. Anki l-laqghat, posta, printing u
dak kollu li hu mehtieg jghamlu parti mill-infieq taghna u ghalhekk hu
important li ahna nibqghu nishqu fuq il-hlas regolari tal-menswalita’
ta’ kulhadd, xorta wahda izda il-GRTU mhux kapaci tiffinanzja lilha
innifisha kieku mhux ghax b’hila ohra qed ingiebu fondi ohra u nbieghu
servizzi lill-membri li bihom nilhqu l-ghanijiet taghna.

Qed
nghamlu sforz kbir ukoll biex inzommu l-ispejjez taht kontrol, fejn qed
nuzaw l-elettronika li tghina nikkomunikaw b’mod aktar irhis, dan
minghajr ma innaqqsu l-livell professjonali li lllum is-sidien
tan-negozzji u l-awtoritajiet pubblici jippretendu minn ghaqda kbira
bhal ma hi l-GRTU. Illum l-ufficini tal-GRTU fil-Belt m`ghadhomx dawk
mudlama li kienu darba imma huma ufficini moderni li jilqghuk u s-sala
taghna illum hi attrajenti u l-organizazzjoni b’hekk tigbdek aktar.
Pero qed nahdmu wkoll hafna fil-lokalitajiet grazzi ghall-kooperazzjoni
shiha li ghandna ma hafna Kunsilli Lokali kif ukoll ma kazini
fil-lokalitajiet. Il-problemi fil-lokalitajiet kemm f`Malta kif ukoll
f`Ghawdex zdiedu hafna u ghalhekk li llum ghandna lil Carmen Borg
persuna dedikata ghal dan ix-xoghol. F’oqsma ohra ukoll ghandna nies li
qed jiddedikaw hafna mill-energija taghhom biex il-qasam fdat f’idejhom
jigi l-quddiem.
Qasam important li illum attivi hafna fih hu dak
tal-ambjent. Kwistjoni ohra importanti ghalina bhala organizazzjoni li
nirraprezentaw in-negozjanti hi dik tal-immaniggjar ta` skart u
problemi ta` energija u ta`riciklagg. Illum ghandna lil Joe Attard,
persuna li ddedikat ghal kollox fuq xoghol marbut ma dan il-qasam.
Il-GRTU illum thaddem skema ta`compliance u immaniggjar ta` skart
ricikabbli li hi l-aqwa fil-pajjiz. Illum Green MT, li hi kumpanija
100% owned mill-GRTU, hi responsabbli ghall-gbir ta` kwazi elf u tmien
mitt (1800) tunnellata ta` skart tal-ippakkeggjar u bil-kuntratti li
ghandna ma` numru kbir ta` Kunsilli Lokali qed nigbru 79% ta`dan
l-iskart. Dan hu qasam li kull ma jmur qed isir dejjem aktar importanti
u xogholna hu li nnaqsu l-piz ta’ dan kollu ghan-negozjant. Wara li
l-GRTU wahedha iggieldet lill-Gvern meta kien ser idahhal sistema
ta`depoziti fuq kull prodott u packaging, skema li  kieku dahhlet
kienet iggennen lil konsumaturi u ssallab wahda nobis lir-retailers
kollha. Il-GRTU accettat l-obbligu li lil Gvern ittieh u thaddem hi
alternattiva li filwaqt li tiffavorixxi lir-retailers u lil importaturi
billi tnaqqsilhom l-piz enormi li ghandhom taht il-ligi, ukoll tghin
biex pajjizna jkun aktar nadif u nkunu kapaci nibzghu aktar ghal
sahhitna u nindukraw l-interessi tan-nies kollha li jaqalghu hobzhom
minn dan is-settur.

Illum Green MT, u maghha l-GRTU, hi
rispettata immens tax-xoghol li qed taghmel f`dan is-settur u bis-sahha
ta` dan hafna importaturi illum dahhlu fil-GRTU bhal ma dahhlu wkoll
il-bicca l-kbira tal-waste carriers u l-operaturi licenzjati fil-qasam
tal-immaniggjar tal-iskart. Ix-xoghol li l-GRTU ghamlet f`dan il-qasam
hu immens. Ir-rizultati bdew jidhru. Baqa hafna u hafna xi jsir u rridu
nahdmu aktar biex inkissru l-injoranza kbira li baqa` fuq dan
is-suggett fost hafna negozjanti, injoranza li mhux biss qed ggieghel
lil min jghaddihom biz-zmien imma wkoll li qed ittelfilhom
opportunitajiet godda.
Il-proposti li l-GRTU tressaq quddiem
il-Gvern huma ghal kull qasam. Il-qasam tal-izvilupp u tal-kostruzzjoni
hu wiehed fejn il-GRTU ma tieqafx tressaq f`isem dan is-settur
soluzzjonijiet prattici ghal problemi reali. Fl-ekonomija taghna
l-izvilupp fil-kostruzzjoni huwa mutur importanti li minnu jghixu
direttament u indirettament  hafna negozji u hafna self employed.
Sandro Chetcuti li jmexxi l-Kumitat  f`dan il-qasam, ghandu warajh
numru kbir ta` zviluppaturi u kuntratturi u l-Gvern jaghmel sewwa li
jaghti kaz hafna ta`dak li illum l-GRTU tghid f’isem dan is-settur.

Il-proposti
tal-GRTU ghar-riforma tal-MEPA kienu fost l-aktar dettaljati u precizi
u nflewenzaw bil-kbir dak li eventwalment il-Gvern ippropona.
Ikkonvincejna ukoll lill-Gvern li jwaqqaf Joint Working Committee, kif
fil-fatt gie mhabbar fil-Budget 2010, u dan il-Kumitat ser jahdem fuq
pakkett shih ta’ proposti illi zviluppaturi membri tal-GRTU ipprezentaw
lill-Gvern u li l-Gvern ma lahaqx inkorpora f’’Budget 2010. Il-Proposti
tal-GRTU huma immirati li jaghtu nifs gdid u futur ahjar lil dan
is-settur importanti. Mhux ta b’xejn li f’hafna okkazjonijiet il-Prim
Ministru ta’ Malta ifahhar lill-GRTU bhala l-organizazzjoni Nazzjonali
li l-aktar li tinfluwenza l-politika tal-Gvern u li l-aktar li
tipprezenta suggerimenti u proposti effettivi. Qatt il-GRTU bhala
organizzjoni ma kellha l-influwenza u l-livell ta’ stima li ghandha
illum. Budget 2010 juri bil-fatti kemm dan hu vera. Il mira taghna issa
hi li fl-2010 inkomplu fit-triq li qbadna u nizguraw li l-iskemi li
pproponejna jitwettqu.

Qasam iehor li llum il-GRTU hi
attiva hafna fih u tirraprezenta firxa wiesa hafna ta’ negozji li
jiddependi minnu hu dak tat-turizmu. Il-GRTU temmen li c-cifra ta’
miljun u mitejn elf turist fis-sena hija cifra baxxa wisq biex issostni
l-investimenti kbar li retailers, importers, restaurants, bars,
catering u service providers bhal rent-a-car, coaches, tour operators
ecc ghandhom f’dan is-settur. Dan is-settur fil-GRTU hi raprezentata
b’mod b’sahhtu minn Philip Fenech, li hu wkoll membru tal-Bord
tal-Awtorita’ Maltija tat-Turizmu u f’isem dan is-settur il-GRTU
ipprezentat pakkett shih ta’ proposti. Il-GRTU qed issostni li
t-turizmu jrid jinfirex ahjar ma’ Malta kollha u rridu noholqu aktar
postijiet ta’ akkomodazzjoni fil-lokalitajiet. Il-GRTU qed tahdem
fil-qrib mal-Kunsilli Lokali u mas-Segretarju Parlamentari ghat-Turizmu
u s-Segretarju Parlamentari ghall-Kunsilli Lokali biex il-pjan fil-GRTU
jitwettaq. F’dan il-qasam baqa’ hafna xi jsir biex dak li rridu
jitwettaq.

Qed nistennew wkoll li l-Gvern li jkompli jwettaq
il-proposti li l-GRTU resqet ghal qasam tal-farmacewtika u tas-sahha,
qasam li ghall-GRTU imexxi b`mod kapaci Mario Debono mghejjun minn
Alfred Barthet.  Il-Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) hi holqien tal-GRTU
u l-GRTU mhux se tieqaf qabel tara skema nazzjonali li twassal ghand
kull pazjent medicina addattata, f`waqtha, bl-aktar mod efficjenti u
prezz effettiv u li tirrendi lil kull sid ta` spizerija fil-lokalita’ u
lil kull importatur il-qlieh dicenti tieghu. F`dan il-qasam qed nahdmu
wkoll mal-Gvern biex il-programm tar-riforma tas-sahha tal-poplu
tithaddem bl-involviment shih tal-privat, minghajr ma jiddahhal xkiel u
pizijiet zejda fuq s-settur privat u li jibni fuq l-inizjattiva
privata. Anke f’dan il-qasam il-GRTU illum hi leader u ghandha
inflewenza kbira fuq id-decizjonijiet tal-Gvern.

Il-GRTU
wkoll ghaddejja b’numru ta’ laqghat u inizzjattivi ta’ tahrig
lill-imsiebha biex dawn jifhmu aktar ir-ricessjoni li laqtitna u meta
tghaddi din il-mewga kerha hafna ditti li ma jkunux irristrutturaw,
bidlu l-istruttura ta l-ispejjez taghhom u ma jkunux investew
f’inizjattivi u f’innovazzjoni godda ser isibuha bi tqila biex jibqghu
jikkompetu. Dawk li dahlu ghal maltempata diga mifnija
bid-diffikultajjiet finanzjarji ser isibuha bi tqila biex jkomplu
jfendu ghax il-kompetizzjoni ser tkun hafna aktar akuta. Huwa ghalhekk
li f’dawn l-ahhar xhur kissirna mohhna u iddedikajna l-hin kollu taghna
biex ninbuttaw lill-Gvern u lill-banek kummercjali u lill-awtoritajiet
statali biex ipoggu fuq l-oghla post tal- prijoritajiet taghhom
il-problemi tan-negozji zghar u medji ta’ pajjizna. Hu ghalhekk li
l-GRTU hadmet biex l-iskemi ta’ appogg lin-negozji li jithaddmu
mill-Malta Enterprise jkunu miftuhin ghal kull tip ta` negozju u mhux
biss ghall-manifattura. Illum kummercjant, sole trader, u kull settur,
anke retailer u self employed, jista` japplika ghal ghajnuna.

Illum
il-GRTU ghandha postha fil-Bord tad-Diretturi tal-Malta Enterprise u hu
success kbir ghal GRTU li skemi bhal dawk tal-energy saving, bhal dik
tal-assistenza fuq safar biex jinstabu swieq u sorsi ta’ importazzjoni
godda, skemi ta` self ta` micro credits, skemi ta` agevolazzjonijiet
fiskali u tax credits u skemi ta` support fuq energy audits, marketing
innovation, restructuring, likwidita`, energy costs, irrangar ta`
hwienet u workshops, xiri ta` makkinarju u apparat gdid, investimenti
fuq health and safety u fuq access ahjar ghal min ghandu problemi
fizici u biex jinholoq impjieg gdid, huma kollha disponibbli
ghan-negozji z-zghar Maltin kollha.

L-istess l-iskemi mhaddma
mill-ETC. Illum dawn miftuha ghan-negozji zghar. Irnexxielna wkoll
inhajru l-Gvern johloq fond gdid biex jghin in-negozji tal-Crafts u
hdimna biex fl-ahhar se jkun hemm ligi wahda li tippromwovi u ssostni
n-negozji z-zghar. Is-Small Business Act hu progett li l-GRTU ilha
tahdem fuqu fuq livell Ewropew u livell Malti sa mill-1996. Il-GRTU ta’
Malta kienet arkitett ewlieni tac-Charter for Small Businesses li
iddahhal fis-sena 2000 u illum kienet ewlenija fil-proposti dwar
is-Small Business Act. L-istess fuq il-ligi dwar is-servizzi li
taghmilha veru possibbli li negozji zghar Maltin jiehdu xoghol
fil-pajjizi l-ohra Ewropej bla ma nkissru dak li ghandna f`Malta.
Il-GRTU wahedha ghal snin twal hadmet fuq suggetti bhal dawn u ohrajn
li huma ta` vantagg ghan-nies fin-negozji immexxijin minn sidhom stess.

Matul
din is-sena enfasizzajna hafna l-qasam internazzjonali.  Abigail Mamo
bhala r-responsabbli ghal dan is-settur  hadmet biex inkunu up to date
fuq l-issues li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea tressqilna u li dwarhom tkun trid
l-opinjoni tal-kummercjanti Maltin u hdimna wkoll biex inwettqu
l-programm ta` hidma miftiehem fuq livell Ewropew mal-EuroCommerce u
l-UEAPME, iz-zewg organizazzjonijiet li maghhom l-GRTU hi integrata.
Hdimna wkoll biex insibu swieq godda u opportunitajiet godda
ghan-negozji rapprezentati mill-GRTU u irnexxielna nilhqu ftehim ma`
numru ta` organizazzjonijiet u kmamar li jirraprezentaw lin-negozji
zghar u medji f’diversi pajjizi biex dawn joffru l-ghajnuniet kollha
taghhom lis-sidien tan-negozji Maltin li jfittxu kummerc u investiment
gdid u inizzjattivi godda ma` pajjizi ohra.

Mhux facli li
negozjant ifittex kuntatti godda jekk fil-pajjiz li mieghu jkun ser
jahdem m`hemmx organizazzjoni li lesta li tghinu. Malta zghira,
Ambaxxaturi ftit ghandha, ghalhekk il-GRTU trid bilfors tipprovdi
pjattaforma li tghin lin-negozjant Malti jiffaccja l-problemi li zgur
jiltaqa’ maghhom meta ikun qed jifrex lejn pajjizi godda. Dan hu qasam
gdid ghall-GRTU u hafna membri taghna u l-esperjenzi ta’ ghaqdiet ohra
bhal GRTU f’pajjizi ohra uriet illi n-negozji rapprezentati mill-GRTU
igawdu hafna minn din l-attivita gdida u din l-attivita’ tkun raguni
biex aktar sidien ta’ negozji jissiehbu u jkunu attivi fil-GRTU.

Din
is-sena ghamilna arrangamenti ma` organizazzjonijet f’ numru ta pajjizi
fosthom l-iZvezja, ir-Repubblika Ceka, il-Polonja, il-Qatar, l-India u
d-Danimarka. Dan hu qasam li rridu nahdmu aktar fih. Min ghadu jahseb
li hu s-suq lokali biss hu l-ghalqa li fih irridu nahdmu hu zbaljat bi
kbir. L-appogg li llum ghandha l-GRTU minn hafna imprendituri l-aktar
dawk zaghzagh u f’oqsma godda juri li qeghdin fi triq is-sewwa.
Pajjizna irid hafna minn barra u illum l-elettronika taghmilha possibli
biex inkunu aktar ambizzjuzi u nimmiraw li nbieghu l-hiliet taghna
f’pajjizi ohra. L-opportunitajiet huma kbar pero irridu nahdmu biex
insibuhom u nsahhuhom. Irridu tant u tant minn barra u hemm
opportunitajiet bla razan u irridu ngharfu nsibuhom.

Il-GRTU
se tkun tahdem aktar f`dan il-qasam. Bhal ma qed tahdem ukoll hafna
fil-qasam tal-innovazzjoni u tar-ricerka u tal-informatika. Irridu
inkunu kapaci u nkunu ta` gwida u ta` servizz lill-membri taghna.
Iz-zmien li l-GRTU tkun organizazzjoni li tinbah u tnewwah biss ilu li
ghadda. Illum l-GRTU hi ghaqda Nazzjonali li tanalizza, tipproponi u
torganizza attivita’ u servizzi li minnhom il-membri igawdu ghax
jitghallmu, jonqsulhom l-ispejjez u tghinhom jithargu u ifittxu
opportunitajiet godda. Il-futur tal-GRTU hu bhala organizazzjoni li
kapaci tkun ta` spalla u ta` support kontinwu lill-kummercjant u
investitur Malti biex fejn ma jasalx wahdu twasslu l-GRTU.
Il-possibilitajiet li ghandna quddiemna huma enormi. Ahna bhala
organizazzjoni lesti ghal din l-isfida.

Din is-sena l-GRTU
bdiet tahdem fuq progett biex flimkien mal-Gvern insahhu aktar
l-immagini tal-GRTU bhala l-lehen tal-kummercjanti u tal-inizjattiva
privata. Dwar dan tisimghu aktar fl-2010. Bdejna u se nkomplu fl-2010
b`laqghat fuq livell individwali ma` CEO`s u managers ta` kumpaniji
biex inkunu nafu l-problemi taghhom u nfasslu flimkien strategija ghal
quddiem. Irridu li anke dawk li mhux attivi fil-GRTU jsiru huma wkoll
ambaxxaturi tal-kummerc halli f`kull hin u opportunita’ mhux biss
inkabbru n-negozji imma ngibu aktar xoghol lejn Malta. Ghandna wkoll
programm ghaddej ta` laqghat ma` l-istituzzjonijiet kollha Maltin li
ghandhom influwenza fuq ix-xoghol tan-negozji Maltin u dawn il-laqghat
mhux biss qed jibnu relazzjonijiet ahjar ma` min jiddeciedi imma qed
jghinu lin-nies taghna jifhmu ahjar il-problemi li jkollu min irid
jiddeciedi. Illum il-GRTU m`ghadhiex biss tal-ufficjalita’ tal-GRTU
imma aktar u aktar tal-membri. Qatt daqs din is-sena ma ressqu nies,
hafna minnhom godda, lejn il-GRTU u attendew tant nies ghall-laqghat
taghna. Qed nahdmu hafna wkoll biex nibnu ko-alizjoni ma` hafna stake
holders ohra.

Permezz tal-MEUSAC u ta` hafna laqghat
bilaterali qed nahdmu mil qrib ma` ghaqdiet ohra biex fejn nistghu
nghinu lil xulxin. Sahhahna kif ghedna ir-relazzjonijiet mall-Malta
Enterprise u ma` hafna regolaturi li minnhom jiddependu n-negozji. Fuq
kollox bnejna hafna relazzjonijiet b`sahhithom u mill-qrib ma` numru
ta` istituzzjonijiet u operaturi fuq livell tal-EU.

L-ghan
taghna huwa li f`Malta jkollna qafas li fih in-negozju jahdem u jikber.
Bis-sahha tal-pressjoni taghna il-Gvern waqqaf Better Regulation u
Simplification Unit li maghha l-GRTU tahdem bla waqfien. Hafna minn dan
ix-xoghol ma jidhirx. Fil-fatt hemm hafna xoghol ta` kuljum tal-GRTU li
ma jidhirx. Imma hu dan il-hafna xoghol, xoghol tal-GRTU li jaghmel
il-hajja tan-negozji Maltin ahjar.

Illum ahna nippruvaw
nanticipaw il-policies tal-Gvern u ninfluwenzaw kull regolament u
legislazzjoni. Mhux dejjem jirnexxielna. Ezempju car hu l-ligi
tal-kera. Hdimna aktar minn kulhadd biex ikun hemm ligi fair ghal
kulhadd. Kif inhi mhix tajba. Ghadna nirsistu. Imma l-GRTU trid
tibqa`sejra. Kuljum hemm legal notice jew ligi gdida li rridu naraw.
Qabel ma kienu jghidulna xejn. Illum bilkemm nistghu nlahhqu bil-volum
li gej fuqna u b`dak li nipproponu qabel ma jwettaq jew johloq
il-Gvern. Qatt il-GRTU ma kienet involuta b`mod integrat u mifrux daqs
illum.

Il-programm taghna ghalhekk jinkludi hafna focus
events fejn il-membri taghna u stakeholders ohra ngibuhom konxji ta`
issues li huma ma jkunux jafu bihom. Ezempju car kif hdimna hu fuq
il-bank charges, fuq il-hall marking fil-kaz tal-gojjellerija, fuq
l-akkreditazzjoni tal-kwalifiki, fuq id-dokumentazzjoni dwar
l-energija, fuq ic-certifikazzjoni tal-imbejjed u c-certifikazzjoni
tal-istandards tal-prodotti u tat-tahrig, fuq it-thaddiem
tad-distribuzzjoni tal-medicini, fuq it-taxxi tar-registrazzjoni
tal-vetturi u fuq is-sistemi tat-trasport pubbliku u s-sistemi mhaddma
fil-portijiet u fuq l-akkreditazzjoni tal-Corporate Social
Responsibility .

Il-programm taghna ghax-xhur li gejjin jinkludi dawn l-oqsma li dwarhom it-tim tal-GRTU diga qed jahdem:

1.    Ambjent u logistika
•    WEEE directive
•    Direttivi dwar l-ikel u xorb.
•   
Sustainability: se jkun hawn pressjoni fuq prodotti sostenibbli u
limitazzjonijiet lir-retailers fuq bejgh ta` aktar prodotti mhux
dizerabbli.
•    Logistika: pressjoni ma tieqaf qatt li se tkompli tgholli l-infieq fil-portijiet u fit-trasport
•    Freight: kif se niddefendu n-negozjant mit-tariffi dejjem ghola u inqas disponibbli
•    Trasport pubbliku: r-riforma u l-kummerc fil-lokalitajiet u r-regolamenti li qed timponi l-ADT
2.    Kwistjonijiet fiskali TCU
•    Is-sistema ta` Tax Compliance Unit  li l-Gvern irid jimponi aktar fuq il-kummercjanti
•   
VAT: kif se tonqos il-VAT fraud li qed tkun kawza ta`hafna trading
illicitu li qed tkisser hafna negozji u dan bla ma nsallbu lil min hu
diga msallab
•    Excise duties: qed isir ezercizju mal-Gvern biex
ikunu mnaqqsa d-differenzi bejn il-pajjizi u kif dawn se jolqtu
l-membri taghna f`dan is-settur.
3.    Politika dwar l-ikel u l-konsumaturi
•    Dehlin numru ta` regolamenti li jinvolvu s-settur kollu u maghhom il-kwistjoni tal-enforcement fuq il-labelling
4.    Sahha u lifestyle
•   
Sfidi godda li qed jinvolvu regolamenti godda biex jnaqqsu l-obezita’ u
l-alcohol u dan jaffetwa l-bejgh ta`prodotti u servizzi
5.    Animal by-products
•   
Il-GRTU hi involuta fir-ricerka ghax din tolqot bil-kbir lil hafna
negozji u importaturi minhabba l-mod kif irid jigi dispost kull tip
ta`ikel li jifdal.
•    Regolamenti godda dwar food hygiene, animal
health u agricultural u food quality: issa l-qafas tal-legislazzjoni
f`dan is-settur kwazi lest u l-membri taghna f`dan il-qasam se jsibu
ma`wicchom hafna riformi
•    Il-kwistjonijiet kollha dwar food safety: il-GRTU bdiet tidhol f`dan il-qasam bil-kbir u hemm hafna xoghol xi jsir
6.    Information and Communication Technologies
•    RFID: irridu noholqu aktar awareness fis-settur kummercjali fuq l-applikazzjoni.
•    Il-possibilitajiet li dan joffri e-commerce
•   
Business to Business electronic markets: in-negozjant Malti jrid jiehu
l-vantaggi kollha. Il-GRTU irsistiet biex l-iskemi ta` support
mill-Malta Enterprise issa jkunu miftuhin ghar-retailers u x-xoghol
tal-GRTU f`dan il-qasam irid jitkompla biex il-membri jgawdu mix-xoghol
li qed naghmlu
7.    Consumer Affairs
•    Id-Direttiva dwar
id-drittijiet tal-kosumatur: l-EU trid harmonization, f`Malta ghandna
gold plating il-fuq milli timponi l-EU, pero`l-Ewropa ma jistax jkollha
25 set ta` legislazzjoni u pajjiz bhal Malta, zona turistika trid
tlahhaq ma` ta` kulhadd
8.    Collective Redress
•    Il-ligijiet
Ewropej qed jinbidlu biex il-collective redress tkun tista issir ukoll
fil-Qrati taghna. Din lilna tghinha bhala organizazzjoni imma negozju
li jkun milqut b’xi kawza bhal din jista jissallab. Il-GRTU qed issegwi
din il-kwistjoni.
•    Consumer Competition: diehla direttiva dwar dan li ghas-size ta` negozji li ghandna f`Malta bilfors li irridu nikkumbattuha
9.    Data and Privacy Protection
•   
Issa li hafna qed juzaw l-ghodod elettronici importanti li l-GRTU
tizgura li l-membri taghha jkunu infurmati sewwa ghax il-ligi hemm
qeghda u l-kawzi malajr jibdew ghax hemm pressjoni
10.    Market Information
•   
F`Malta l-Gvern mhux qed joffri servizz adekwat dwar il-possibilitajiet
kollha ta` kummerc fl-EU u l-pajjizi mhux kollha qed johorgu
l-informazzjoni
11.    International Trade
•    TDI rules: il-kwistjoni tal-anti dumping rules
•   
Rules of Origin: il-GRTU ma`msiehba ohra tal-EuroCommerce qed tahdem
biex ir-regolamenti jsiru anqas komplessi ghax dan jiftah bieb wiesgha
ghal Maltin biex jinnegozjaw man-North Afrika ghall-EU markets
•   
Il-kwistjoni tal-made in label :Il-Kummissjoni trid li l-made in label 
tkun mandatorja. Din ghandha hafna implikazzjonijiet ghas-suq zghir
Malti
•    Tariff Classifications: qed nahdmu biex it-tariffi fuq
prodotti li jiddahhlu bl-EU jsoffru minn sistemi ta` tariffi aktar
ragonevoli
12.        Electronic Customs
•    Riforma fis-sistema
tad-dwana: se jiddahhlu sistemi godda bl-iskuza tas-security li fil-kaz
ta` Malta jkun ifisser aktar xkiel fuq l-importazzjoni
•   
Is-sistema moderna ta`Custom Code: issa s-sistema wasslet fl-ahhar fazi
tal-implimentazzjoni bla ma ghad ghandna studju tajjeb tal-impatt fuq
is-setturi milqutin
13.    Payment Systems
•    Is-sistema
tal-Credit Cards u l-pizijiet zejda fuq in-negozji: ghalkemm dahlet
is-sistema tas-SEPA, is-sistema tal-credit cards baqghet
anti-kompetittiva u bi spejjez esagerati ghall-kummerc
•    Mobile
payments: din sistema li qed toffri sfidi kbar lir-retailers u f`Malta
ghadna fil-bidu li niflu l-impatt. Il-GRTU qed tlesti.
•    Fraud
Prevention: din theddida kbira ghan-negozji. Il-GRTU attiva mad-Dwana u
mad-Dipartiment tal-Kummerc u mal-Puluzija pero` irridu nsibu mezzi
ahjar biex naraw li r-retailer ma jehilx hu ghal dak li jwikkih bih
haddiehor
•    E invoicing: Qed isiru tahdidiet mall-Gvern biex tidhol aktar sigurezza u dwar dan ukoll diehla direttiva gdida.
14.    SME`s u l-Enterprise Policy
•    Il-Late Payments Directive: GRTU trid tkun attenta ghal indhil zejjed fuq Business to Business transactions
•   
Environment compliance and assistance programme: il-GRTU involuta
f`diskussjoni fuq livell ewropew u lokali biex in-negozji zghar
tizdidilhom l-ghajnuna
•    Small Business Act: il-GRTU issa trid tara progress. Ghamilna wisq xoghol u ghandna ftit rizultati
•   
Direttiva dwar l-Accounts tan-negozji zghar: il-GRTU ilha s-snin tahdem
biex n-negozji zghar ikollhom financial return semplici. Il-Gvern Malti
issimplifika imma fil-verita issimplifika ftit wisq
15.    Social Affairs u Social Dialogue
•   
Revizjoni dwar id-direttiva li tolqot haddiema pregnant: il-GRTU qed
tirsisti biex tissalvagwardja l-interessi tan-negozji z-zghar
•   
Direttivi dwar trattament ugwali: din biex tithaddem f`Malta iggennen
lil hafna negozji zghar u l-GRTU qed titlob salvagwardja
•    Posting of workers directive: din se tolqot lil hafna intraprizi Maltin hekk kif jibdew isibu xoghol f`pajjizi ohra
•    Id-Direttiva dwar impjieg stagjonali: tolqot hafna hafna lil zona turistika bhal Malta
•   
Il-Migrazzjoni:  il-GRTU qed issegwi mill-qrib l-izviluppi f’dan
is-settur, kemm f’Malta kif ukoll barra ghax din il-problema hi sikkina
li taqta miz-zew

DISKORS TAL-PRESIDENT
Il-WIEHED U SITTIN LAQGHA GENERALI ANNWALI

Il-HADD 17 ta’ Jannar 2010

Nilqaghkhom ghal din l-Wiehed u Sittin Laqgha Generali. Din is-sena iccelebrajna bi kbir is-sittin sena.

Meta nharsu lura malajr nifhmu ghaliex wara sittin sena l-GRTU illum hi b’sahhita aktar minn qatt qabel. Ahna ma twelidniex b’kumbinazzjoni. Twelidna ghax Malta, anke sittin sena ilu, kienet qed tinbidel u s-sidien tan-negozju u s-self employed kienu taht il-mannara. Il-haddiema tal-paga mal-partikular u l-haddiema mal-gvern, u dak iz-zmien dawk mas-servizzi Ingliz, qamu u riedu d-drittijiet taghhom u waqqfu t–trade unions kbar tal-haddiema. Ir-rizultat malajr kien deher, ghax bdew it–taxxi u l-pizijiet fuq is-sidien u fuq is-self employed. Ghax f’Malta dejjem hekk konna. Jekk jien migdum, nara li haddiehor ikun migdum ukoll, u flimkien naraw li hadd ma jingidem. Il-GRTU ghalhekk twaqqfet, biex fil-pajjiz ikun hawn ftit tal-bilanc. Mhux ghax haddiehor kbir fin-numru allura tghaddi tieghu. Ridna li l-lehen tas-self- employed u tas-sid tan-negozju jinstema wkoll. In-nies taghna jaghtu servizz lill-komunita, jhaddmu flushom, jirsistu u jinvestu u jhaddmu n-nies u huma wkoll ghandhom drittijiet kemm bhala sidien ta’ negozji kif ukoll bhala cittadini. Fil-GRTU ahna kburin li konna dejjem ahna t-targa tas-sid tan-negozju z-zghir u medju. Ahna li poggejna l-interessi tas-sid tan-negozju fuq l-Agenda Nazzjonali ta’ pajjizna.

Il-GRTU
wahedha ghall- dawn l-ahhar sittin sena harget ghonqa ghas-sidien u
s-self employed kien min kien fil-gvern. Imma dejjem wahda: jekk
nikritikaw lil ta’ naha mela ahna man-naha l-ohra. Il-verita hi izda,
li hu x’inhu l-kulur politiku ta’ min imexxi jew ta’ kull membru
tal-Kunsill, ahna ghandna l-valuri u l-principji taghna u ahna ma ahna
parti mill-ebda karru politiku. Min jaqbel maghna naqblu mieghu, imma
mcappsa ma hadd jghid, x’jghid min irid. U carlatana f’dal-pajjiz hawn
hafna. Ahna f’kull hin u f’kull mument u f’kull cirkostanza, dak li
ghandna nghidu, nghiduh bla tlaqlieq. It-tmun li jmexxiena huma
l-principji taghna. U l-principji taghna huma cari. L-aktar li
ninfasizzaw huma dawn:

•    Ahna favur id-demokrazija
•    Ahna favur il-kummerc hieles
•    Ahna favur it-tnaqqis tal-burokrazija
•  
 Ahna favur sistema ta’ taxxi li tiffavurixxi t-tkattir tal-gid u ma
tikkastigax lil min jirsisti u lil min ghandu l-inizjattiva
•  
 Ahna favur it-tferrix tal-gid fost is-setturi kollha tas-socjeta u
mat-teritorju kollu ta’ Malta u Ghawdex. Ahna nemnu bis-serjeta
fis-sostenibilita’ tal-ekonomiji fil-lokalitajiet taghna
•    Ahna nemmnu fil-kommunita’: ahjar nahdmu flimkien milli bil-glied, ahjar nahdmu fl-armonija milli bit-theddid
•    Ahna nemmnu fl-ambjent: irridu pajjiz aktar nadif, arja aktar nadifa, u madwar li jaghmilna kburin
•    Ahna irridu pajjiz efficjenti fejn l-inizjattiva privata tkun inkoraggita u l-efficjenza premjata
•  
 Ahna ma rridux hela tar-rizorsi: irridu l-ahjar uzu ta’ rizorsi ta’
pajjizna biex flimkien nghagglu l-izilupp u jinqeda kulhadd  skond
il-htiega
•    Ahna irridu li pajjizna  jkollu ekonomija b’sahhitha,
b’anqas dejn nazzjonali, bla deficit fil-finanzi pubblici u bi trazzin
serju tan-nefqa pubblika
•    Irridu amministrazzjoni li tkun vera
accountable lejna lkoll u dak li ghandna u li hdimna u qed nahdmu
ghalieh bhala individwi u bhala negozju ma jehodulniex  haddiehor biex
iberbqu
•    Ahna favur il-gustizzja socjali, gustizzja li taghti
lil kulhadd dak li jehtieg u li ma tippermettix is-serq u l-ippremjar
tal- ghazz
•    Irridu sistema fejn meta wiehed ikun stinka matul
il-hajja tax-xoghol tieghu jkun jista’ jirtira u jsib is-serhan li
jixraqlu b’ghixien komdu
•    Nemmnu li dan pajjiz fejn il-gid
jista’ jikber u jibqa jikber jekk kull min hu fil-gvern jibqa’ jsostni
l-inizjattiva privata u l-investiment privat

Ahna fuq kollox
nemnu f”pajjizna u nirsistu u nahdmu biex f’pajjizna jikber ix-xoghol
li jinholoq bis-sahha tal-investituri privati li bhalna jemmnu
f’pajjizna u jridu klima ta’ inkoraggiment u ta fiducja.
Dawn mhux
xi principji ta’ barra minn hawn. Pero xejn ma jsir wahdu. Jekk illum
hafna affarjiet nohduhom bhala fatt dan hu hekk ghax ta’ qabilna u ahna
hdimna biex f’Malta dawn il-principji jkunu accettati.

Ahna
stinkajna biex dhalna fl-Unjoni Ewropea anke akkost tas-sagrificcji li
x’uhud minna kellhom jaghmlu biex nibdlu u nirriformaw n-negozju
taghna, jew sahansitra nibdlu n-negozju taghna, ghax nemmnu li l-Ewropa
hi l-aqwa garanzija ta’ dawn il-principji u hi l-ahjar garanzija li
s-suq zghir taghna jkun jista’ jikber biex l-kummerc jkompli jespandi u
uliedna jkunu jistghu jibqghu jkabbru. Malta zghira wisq ghal hiljiet
tal-Maltin u Ghawdxin tal-lum, u zgur li ghal ta’ ghada irridu nwessghu
s-swieq taghna. L-Ewropa tfisser tkabbir u gid. Sigurezza u
opportunitajiet assigurati ghalina lkoll.
Ma niddejqu qatt nghidu
f’hiex  nemmnu. Ahna tlaqna kwazi bix-xejn. Illum ahna organizzazjoni
ta’ eluf ta’ membri immexxija minn nies professjonali, stmati f’Malta u
fuq livell Ewropew. Ahna mhux ghaqda li tgerger biss. Min igerger u
jikritika biss f’Malta hawn hafna u hawn min ma jghajja qatt igerger u
jikritika biss. Ahna nisimghu lin-nies taghna, niehdu pariri ta’ shabna
fuq livell Ewropew u tal-esperti taghna u mmorru ghand l-awtoritajiet
b’soluzzjonijiet alternattivi ghal dak li jfasslu wahedhom l-politici u
l-burokratici. Meta jkellmuna minn qabel, nghinu l-awtoritajiet jaghmlu
l-affarjiet sewwa. Meta jfajjru wahedhom, ahna nikkritikaw b’mod
kostruttiv u nirsistu biex l-affarjiet jew jinbidlu jew jinholqu skemi
biex itaffu l-impatt negattiv tad-decizjonijiet li jkunu qed jigu
imposti fuq in-nies taghna. Hekk qed naghmlu fuq it-tariffi tad-dawl u
l-ilma u fuq il-ligi tal-kera.

Ahna ma mbaxxux rasna ghax
hemm xi hadd li jridna nghamlu hekk. Ahna meta naqblu, naqblu ghax
inkunu ippartecipajna u accettajna u qbilna. Mhux se nikritikaw
sempliciment ghax haddiehor hekk jippretendi li ghandna naghmlu. Ahna
ma jintimidana hadd la biex nghidu  iva u lanqas  biex nghidu le  biex
xi hadd icappcpilna. Ahna n-nies taghna irridulhom il-gid. Irridu li
n-nies taghna jkunu f’pozizzjoni ahjar li jkabbru, jirrinovaw,
jirristrutturaw u jhaddmu aktar nies u joholqu aktar gid. Nikbru ahna u
maghna jikber u jgawdi haddiehor u jgawdi l-pajjiz kollu.

It-triq
li mxejna f’sittin sena kienet twila u kburin b’li ghamilna. It-triq li
baqghalna quddiemna hi twila wkoll. Jien zgur li hi isbah, imma mhux
ehfef. Hi triq li trid twassalna biex lil pajjizna naghmluh gawrha
fl-Ewropa. Irridu nahdmu. In-nies tan-negozju u s-self employed iridu
jifmu li wahedhom jbghatu aktar u jdumu ma jaslu. Flimkien fil-GRTU
ix-xoghol isir ahjar. Min mhux maghna ghax irid u ghax jixxahhah.
Bil-ftit ta’ kulhadd inkomplu nibnu lill-GRTU biex taghti servizzi
ahjar. GRTU b’sahhita hi garanzija li d-drittijiet u
l-aspirazzjonijiet  taghna huma mharsa.

Din is-sena mhux ser
tkun sena facli, ghalaqniha b’waqa’ serja fil-bejgh u b’waqa’ fir-rata
anwali tat-tkattir ekonomiku nazzjonali. Fis-sitt xhur li gejjin ahna
irridu nizguraw li l-gvern ihaddem dawk l-iskemi kollha possibbli biex
l-industrija, il-kummerc u t-turizmu jrendina aktar u biex ma jkomplux
jghalqu aktar negozji. Investiment gdid gej u progetti godda l-gvern
qed iwettaq u pajjizna dan ghandu bzonnu hafna. Imma rridu wkoll
nibzghu ghas-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar u medji u ghas-self employed.
Irridu li l-Banek Kummercjali jkunu anqas iebsin man-nies taghna.
Irridu li l-awtoritajiet tat-taxxi jghatu aktar nifs lil min din
is-sena qieghed minn taht. Irridu lil Enemalta u l-burokraziji kollha
tifhem li din is-sena iebsa anke ghal min is-soltu jhallas fil-pront.
Irridu aktar kooperazzjoni, inqas bullijjar, inqas impozizzjoni. Aktar
inkoraggiment. Aktar ghajnuna. Aktar serhan l-mohh. Flimkien naslu.

Ahna
fil-GRTU irridu Kunsill ta’ nies kapaci. Nies li kapaci jahdmu id f’id
ma min b’hila mexxu l-GRTU f’dawn l-ahjar snin tant krucjali
ghall-pajjizna. Ma rridux nies li jigu hawn biss biex ifettqu u
jgergru. Irridu nies li lesti biex jerfghu u herqana b’soluzzjonijiet
prattici li wiccna minn quddiem kapaci inressqu lill- awtoritajiet. Dan
hu it-timbru taghna. Ghaqda ta’ hegga, ta’ hila u ta’ idejat u ta’
soluzzjonijiet. L-entuzjazmu fil-GRTU ma jonqos u rridu inkattruh.
Tiddejqux ghalhekk li tellghu fil-Kunsill nies ta’  kuragg , nies
posittivi. Nies ta’ hila.

Is-sena d-diehla se tkun iebsa.
Irridu tim kapaci u tim maqghud. Jien fiducjuz li taghzlu sewwa. Jien
fiducjuz li l-maltemp ekonomiku li qed jolqotna, Malta tirbahhlu. Jien
fiducjuz  li l-Gvern ikun kapaci jserrah fuq il-GRTU biex ix-xoghol
jihfief u r-rizultat ikun ahjar.
Imma ahna irridu nkunu hemm. Sodi u b’nies kapaci.

Lilkhom
ilkoll u l-familja taghkhom nawguralkom sena tajba u nirringrazzjakom
tas-sapport kollu li tajtuni f’dawn is-snin kollha li ili President.

Lid-Direttur
Generali Vince Farrugia u lill- istaff formidabbli taghna u
lill-Kunsilliera li ghinuni u lill-membri kollha tal-Kumitati u lil
tant membri u voluntiera li jahdmu minn qalbhom ghall-GRTU,
nirringrazzjakom u nawguralkom sena mill-aqwa.

Nistidinkom issa biex tinaghqdu mieghi ghall-riceviment zghir halli flimkien nilqghu is-sena il-gdida.

Il-Wiehed u Sittin Laqgha Generali Annwali tal-GRTU

Il-GRTU tkompli tikber

Il-GRTU illum ghalqet b’success il-Wiehed u Sittin Laqgha Generali
Annwali taghha li kkonkludit is-sena ta’ hidma 2009 u taghat ftuh ghal
sena ta` hidma 2010. Il-laqgha general inzammet fil-kwartieri tal-GRTU
fi Triq ir-Repubblika il-Belt.Id-diskorsi ewlenin waqt il-Laqgha
Generali kienu dawk tal-President Paul Abela u tad-Direttur Generali
Vince Farrugia.Id-Direttur Generali tal-GRTU Vince Farrugia ipprezenta
r-Rapport ta’ Hidma ghas-sena 2009. Vince Farrugia qal li din kienet
wahda mill-aghar snin ghal-ekonomija mondjali. F`hafna pajjizi
il-qaghad qabez l-ghoxrin fil-mija, s-salarji gew imqaccta u l-bejgh
mill-hwienet f’xi pajjizi bhal Latvia naqas aktar minn 30%. F’ Malta
skond l-istatistika tal-Eurostat il-bejgh mill-hwienet naqas b’19.6% li
hi r-raba l-aktar waqa fil-bejgh fost il-pajjizi tal-EU fejn il-medja
hi ta’ nuqqas ta’ 4%. Kompla jghid li l-prospetti ghas-sena 2010 ma
tantx huma tajbin u ghalhekk hu importanti hafna li ahna nkomplu
nixprunaw il-Gvern biex jaghmel dak li hu possibli sabiex in-negozji
zghar ta`pajjizna ma jitkissrux.

Id-Direttur Generali qal li l-GRTU wzat ukoll l-influwenza li  dejjem
tikber li llum ghandna il-GRTU fil-EuroCommerce, fil-UEAPME, fl-EESC u
mall-Kummissjoni Ewropea biex ikun assigurat li l-Unjoni Ewropea
jkollha pakkett ta` stimulu ekonomiku li jipprijorizza l-intrapriza
zghira u medja. Il-pakkett ta` stimulu li  ir-rapprezentanti tas-sidien
tan-negozji zghar u medji ewropej gghelu lill-Unjoni Ewropea taddotta
jiehu wkoll in konsiderazzjoni l-problemi tal-ekonomiji zghar bhal
Malta u wkoll il-problemi tal-intraprizi zghar u medji f’kuntest ta’
ekonomija zghira u miftuha bhal Malta. Dan fuq insistenza tal-GRTU ta’ 
Malta.

Is-Sur Farrugia semma wkoll li l-GRTU qed tahdem hafna
fil-lokalitajiet grazzi ghall-kooperazzjoni shiha li ghandha ma hafna
Kunsilli Lokali kif ukoll mas-Segretarju Parlamentari responsabbli
mil-Kunsilli Lokali Dr Chris Said. Qasam importanti iehor li semma u li
l-GRTU attiva hafna fih hu dak tal-ambjent: l-immaniggjar ta` skart u
problemi ta` energija u ta`riciklagg. Il-GRTU illum thaddem skema
ta`compliance u immaniggjar ta` skart ricikabbli li hi l-aqwa
fil-pajjiz. Illum Green MT, li hi kumpanija 100% owned mill-GRTU, hi
responsabbli ghall-gbir ta` kwazi elf u tmien mitt (1800) tunnellata
ta`skart tal-ippakkeggjar u bil-kuntratti li ghandna ma` numru kbir ta`
Kunsilli Lokali qed tigbor 79% tal-iskart kolllu li l-membri fl-iskema
poggew fuq il-waste stream  ta’ Malta fl-ahhar tlett xhur. B’rizultat
ta’ dan l-imsiehba fl-iskema tal-GRTU illum qed jiffrankaw li jhallsu
l-ECO Kontribuzzjoni li tfisser iffrankar ta mijiet ta’ eluf ta’ euro
ghall-imsiehba. Il-GRTU accettat dan l-obbligu li thaddem hi skema
bhall din biex wkoll  ftizgura li ir-retailers  ma jkunux imghkela
mil-Kunsilli Lokali jhallsu biex jingabrilhom li skart li ghalih qed
ihallsu l-imsiehba tal-iskema tal-GRTU u biex l-importaturi
jitnaqqsilhom l-piz enormi li ghandhom taht il-ligi. B’dan il-GRTU
wkoll qed tghin bil-kbir biex pajjizna jkun aktar nadif u nkunu kapaci
nibzghu aktar ghal sahhitna u nindukraw l-interessi tan-nies kollha li
jaqalghu hobzhom minn dan is-settur.

Id-Direttur semma wkoll ix-xoghol kollu li ghamlet il GRTU din is-sena 
fuq ir-Riforma tal-MEPA, it-Turizmu, u l-iskema tal-Pharmacy of Your
Choice. B’moghod specjali din is-sena l-GRTU hadmet biex l-iskemi ta’
appogg lin-negozji li jithaddmu mill-Malta Enterprise jkunu miftuhin
ghal kull tip ta` negozju u mhux biss ghall-manifattura. Illum
kummercjant, sole trader, u kull settur, anke retailer u self employed,
jista` japplika ghal ghajnuna.

Vince Farrugia qal li matul din is-sena il-GRTU enfasizzat hafna
l-qasam internazzjonali.  Barra li zammet lill-membri taghha aggornati
fuq l-issues li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea tressaq ghall-konsultazzjoni lil
organizazzjonijiet bhal GRTU  u li dwarhom tkun trid l-opinjoni
tal-kummercjanti Maltin, il-GRTU hadmet wkoll biex wetqet l-programm
ta` hidma miftiehem fuq livell Ewropew mall-EuroCommerce u l-UEAPME,
iz-zewg organizazzjonijiet li maghhom l-GRTU hi integrata. Il-GRTU
hadmet ukoll biex issib swieq godda u opportunitajiet godda
ghan-negozji rapprezentati mill-GRTU u rnexxielha tilhaq ftehim ma`
numru ta` organizazzjonijiet u kmamar li jirraprezentaw lin-negozji
zghar u medji f’diversi pajjizi biex dawn joffru l-ghajnuniet kollha
taghhom lis-sidien tan-negozji Maltin li jfittxu kummerc u investiment
gdid u inizzjattivi godda ma` pajjizi ohra. Vince Farrugia qal li
s’issa il-GRTU ghamlet ftehiem bhal dawn ma organizazzjonijiet bhal
GRTU mil-Polonja, l-Indja, il-Qatar, l-Isvezja u id-Danimarka.

Fil-konkluzjoni tad-diskors tieghu d-Direttur Generali qal li f`Malta
ahna forsi l-aktar organizazzjoni minn fost dawk il-membri tal-MCESD li
huma attivi u jressqu proposti. “Nemmnu li z-zmien tal-konflitt ghadda
u li permezz ta` djologi socjali kontinwi bejn l-imsiehba socjali u
l-Gvern nistghu naslu ahjar biex naghtu lil pajjizna ekonomija li
dejjem tikber u li socjalment tkun gusta. Qal ukoll li l-GRTU dejjem
titjieb u qed noffru servizz aktar professjonali li hu apprezzat minn
numru dejjem aktar ta’ sidien ta’ negozji. Hu ghalhekk li fit-2009
rajna zieda ta’  394 membri godda u dan fi zmien meta hafna negozji
Maltin qed ihossu l-afsa iebsa tar-ricessjoni ekonomika.”

Ghalaq il-Laqgha l-President tal-GRTU Paul Abela. Hu semma li din
is-sena l-GRTU ccelebrat bil-kbir s-sittin Anniversarju tal-GRTU u
fakkar li l-GRTU ghada tahdem b’success fuq l-istess principji u valuri
li ssawwru sa mit-twelid taghha aktar min sittin sena ilu u kibret u
bniet l-organizzazzjoni taghha illum hi l-forza ewlenija f’pajjizna li 
tipprotegi u tiggieled ghan negozji zghar u medji. Qal li “n-nies
taghna jaghtu servizz lill-komunita, jhaddmu flushom, jirsistu u
jinvestu u jhaddmu n-nies u huma wkoll ghandhom drittijiet kemm bhala
sidien ta’ negozji kif ukoll bhala cittadini. It-triq li mxejna
f’sittin sena kienet twila u kburin b’li ghamilna. It-triq li baqghalna
quddiemna hi twila wkoll. Jien zgur li hi isbah, imma mhux ehfef.”

Il-President semma wkoll kemm il-GRTU stinkat biex dhalna fl-Unjoni
Ewropea “anke akkost tas-sagrificcji li x’uhud minna kellhom jaghmlu,
ghax nemmnu li l-Ewropa hi l-ahjar garanzija li s-suq zghir taghna jkun
jista’ jikber biex l-kummerc ikompli jespandi u uliedna jkunu jistghu
jibqghu jkabbru.”

Qal wkoll li l-GRTU illum ma tgergirx u tikritika biss, ahna nisimghu
lin-nies taghna, niehdu pariri ta’ shabna fuq livell Ewropew u
tal-esperti taghna u mmorru ghand l-awtoritajiet b’soluzzjonijiet
alternattivi ghal dak li jfasslu wahedhom l-politici u l-burokratici.
“Meta jkellmuna minn qabel, nghinu l-awtoritajiet jaghmlu l-affarjiet
sewwa.”

Il-President awgura lil dawk prezenti sena tajba rringrazzjhom
tas-sapport kollu li taw f’dawn is-snin kollha. Irringrazzja b’mod
specjali lid-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia, lill-istaff formidabbli
li illum thaddem il-GRTU, lill-Kunsilliera, lill-membri kollha
tal-Kumitati u lil tant membri u voluntiera li jahdmu minn qalbhom
ghall-GRTU.

Hewitt Associates

Contact: Nanjundi Karthick –

Company Profile: Hewitt Associates is the one of the world's largest global management consulting and outsourcing firms, delivering a complete range of Talent, Human Resource and Capacity Building services to Governments, Multilateral agencies and corporates across the globe for over 65 years now. Headquartered out of Lincolnshire, Illinois in the USA, Hewitt has a vast network in more than 35 countries manned by about 20,000 associates. We broadly work with two sets of clientele; a) The Government and other multilateral agencies and b) Corporates across the globe (large, medium and small)

Areas of Interest:

Corporate Transactions – Assisting in foreign investors setting up in Malta and Maltese investors entering newer markets

Corporate Transformation – Transforming Businesses to new growth strategies in terms of restructuring, process reengineering, Talent Management etc.

Global Sourcing – Assisting in companies to identify their core areas and help in outsource, centralize some of their non core processes like HR

The gamut of HR solutions to (a) Manage Talent, (b) Improve Employee Engagement, (c) Delivering People programs and best practices

JK Technical Consulting

Contact: J.N. Dadlani –

Company Profile: JK Technical Consulting is a Technical Team and Consultants

Areas of Interest:The firm would like to represent Maltese Companies and collaborate for the expansion of business both the ways.

Delton Cables Ltd

Contact: Col P K Sharma –

Company Profile: Delton Cables is a 50yrs old ISO 9001:2000 certified company committed to Quality and Customer Satisfaction. It has competence in Cable technology – covering measurement, control, communication and power distribution applications, as used in exploration, refining or gas processing sites, petrochemical, chemical, power generation and similar applications. Our specialization is in manufacturing tailor-made cables as per customer's specifications.

Areas of Interest: The company would like to establish contacts with Maltese companies interested in joint collaboration for penetration into the European and North African markets.

Century Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Contact: Janak Sheth –

Company Profile: The company was established in 1982 and has a GMP manufacturing plant and a government approved Biotechnology research laboratory. Further information can be obtained through the company's website – www.centurypharma.com

Areas of Interest: The company  is interested in a strategic alliance with a Maltese company for sourcing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and a co-development of a novel recombinant protein for the treatment of Asthma and Allergies.

Gurajat Lfe Science (Pvt) Ltd

Contact: Dr G H Mehta –

Company Profile: Gujarat Life Sciences (P.) Ltd (GLS) is one of the fastest growing specialty biotechnology venture. Formed as a part of the unique collaboration between the Government, University and Industry, GLS is a model in research, application and promotion of modern biotechnology for agriculture and environment.

Areas of Interest: GLS is looking for the Maltese partners to  :

(a) Jointly promote and market the new generation products for Malta and a number of countries in Europe and Africa.

(b) Long term collaboration for manufacturing and marketing the products. The right partner should have the application of new opportunities in sustainable and green technology and strong base and network.

Amines & Plasticizers Ltd

Contact: Moti Kriplalani –

Company Profile: Amines & Plasticizers Ltd. is the pioneer and largest manufacturer of Mono/Di/Tri-Ethanolamines, Methyl Diethanolamine (MDEA) Morpholine derivatives and has over 35 years of manufacturing experience in this line. Their Corporate office is located in Mumbai and is supported by 3 branches. They have a team of qualified & trained marketing personnel who can introduce & promote new products. Additional information can be obtained at www.amines.com.

Areas of Interest: The company would like to establish contacts with Maltese companies interested in joint collobaration for penetration into the European and North African markets.

Feedback Business Consulting Services Pvt . Ltd

Contact: Soumendra Dutta –

Company Profile: Feedback Business Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd. is a leading research based consulting firm, specializing in knowledge processing and assessing business opportunities across India & selected international markets.

Areas of Interest:Assist Maltese companies interested in doing business in India.

Abigail Mamo –

Background

The Package Travel Directive (hereafter referred to as the PTD), which came into effect in 1990, is aimed at protecting consumers in the area of package travel. Some of the most important rules concern the liability of package organisers and retailers, who must accept responsibility for the performance of the services offered. The Directive also prescribes the minimum information that must be given to consumers and contains provisions on the security to be provided in the event of insolvency.

The travel sector has evolved considerably, especially with the development of the internet and the rise of low-cost air carriers. Consumers are also now putting together their own holiday components from different providers, instead of opting for pre-arranged packages. The Commission is considering reviewing the PTD in order to reflect the current market situation.

This issue has already been the subject of number of studies and consultations available on DG SANCO's website

Objective of the consultation

The aim of the consultation is to gather stakeholders' opinions on the existing problems and preferred solutions in order to identify preferred policy options.

More information is available on: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/rights/travel/consultation_en.htm