Category: Archive – 2011

GRTU has today written to the Minister for Finance with great concern as just this week we learnt that next week we will see the introduction of a new, hefty anti-dumping duty on imports of ceramic tiles from China.

 

It is too evident that Maltese import a significant quantity of ceramic tiles from China and that such a duty will lead the sector into harsh circumstances. Not only will this make importation from China highly uncompetitive but will put importers in a very difficult position as they have the prices on the orders arriving within this month and after fixed and they cannot just now inform their clients that the tiles they have ordered have increased in price due to the imposition. This will drive prices up for our consumers.

GRTU cannot therefore understand that while having the data and figures in hand Government did absolutely nothing to stop this from happening. This is not the first time we have come to this situation and GRTU believes Government by now should be very aware that unless we have the strong local industry to protect Government should go against any kind of duty imposed on our importers and consumers.

It is absolutely unacceptable that Government not only does not put up a fight and tries to get the backing of other countries but agrees as if it exists only to process and not analyse the impact of the decisions it takes. Unfortunately we do not have confirmed that Malta voted in favour but this is what it looks like. GRTU told Government that we would appreciate having this information confirmed as we have tried to get but have been denied of this information. Again it is something we fail to understand.

GRTU concluded by saying that if Government took a position we sincerely hope there is a good justification and that Government would stand up to be counted. GRTU awaits an immediate reply from Government.

For more information visit: http://www.fta-eu.org/de/login/ftanewsflash475.pdf

Jum Dinji ghad-Drittijiet tal-Konsumater – Insahhu l-fiducja bejn il-konsumatur u n-Negozji

Fl-okkażjoni tal-Jum Dinji għad-Drittijiet tal-Konsumatur, id-Dipartiment tal-Konsumatur u tal-Kompetizzjoni qiegħed jorganizza numru ta' attivitajiet biex ikompli jeduka u jinforma lill-konsumaturi Maltin u Għawdxin fuq id-drittijiet tagħhom bħala konsumaturi.

Nhar l-15 ta' Marzu 2011 ser tiġi organizzata konferenza li ser ikollha bħala suġġett "Insaħħu l-Fiduċja bejn il-Konsumatur u n-Negozji".  Din il-konferenza ser issir fil-lukanda The Palace  f'tas-Sliema, u ser tiġi indirizzata mill-Onor Chris Said, Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Konsumatur, Kompetizzjoni Ġusta, Kunsilli Lokali u Konsultazzjoni Pubblika, flimkien ma kelliema oħra distinti.

Jekk inti, u/jew rappreżentanti oħra mill-organizzazjoni tiegħek tixtiequ tattendu għal din il-konferenza tistgħu tinfurmaw permezz ta' emajl fuq

Biex tirriservaw post tistgħu ukoll iċċemplu lil Ms. Melanie Camilleri fuq in-numru tat-telefon 21 446250-5.  Id-data ta' l-egħluq biex tirreġistraw hija nhar L-Erbgħa, 9 ta' Marzu 2011.

The Commission is taking action to help citizens and businesses to benefit fully from the opportunities offered by the Single Market by publishing a strategy to improve governance of the single market. The expansion of the Internal Market Information (IMI) system to other areas of EU law such as, potentially, gambling and e-commerce will help to achieve this. IMI is a multilingual online application that allows national, regional and local authorities to communicate quickly and easily with their counterparts elsewhere in the EU.

 

Key elements of the proposed strategy

1. Adding new policy areas to IMI: IMI currently facilitates administrative cooperation for the recognition of professional qualifications and for services. It has been designed from the outset as a flexible system that can easily be customised to support administrative cooperation required by all sorts of single market legislation. There is great interest to expand IMI to other areas of cross-border cooperation, like, for example, gambling and e-commerce.

2. Further development of IMI functionality: In the long run IMI should become a comprehensive toolkit for any type of administrative cooperation. To this end, the Commission will explore adding functionality to IMI that will allow its use, for example, for notification procedures.

3. Synergies with existing IT tools: IMI also has the potential to complement the functionality of existing IT systems and vice versa. Synergies could be achieved by linking IMI up with systems that are used by the same user groups, such as the Regulated Professions Database. For example, different IT systems could be made accessible with a single login, or data entered into one system could be automatically updated in the other. This could save time and trouble for users.

Next steps:

In the first half of 2011 the Commission will submit a proposal for a legislative instrument to govern the operation of IMI. This instrument is needed in order to consolidate the current rules on IMI and to create a comprehensive data protection framework. This has been requested by the European Data Protection Supervisor in order to provide a higher level of legal certainty, especially in view of further expansion. A roadmap for future technical developments in IMI and expansion of IMI into other areas will be proposed in the annual IMI report due for February 2012.

Background

IMI is a secure online application that has been developed by the Commission in close cooperation with EU Member States, and has been operational since November 2008. IMI allows competent authorities to communicate quickly and easily with their counterparts abroad. IMI helps users to:

find the right authority to contact in another Member State;

communicate with that authority using pre-translated sets of standard questions and answers;

track the progress of the information exchange.

How is IMI used in practice?

IMI is used by competent authorities at the national, regional and local level in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway who deal with the specific legislation supported by it. IMI helps them overcome the main barriers to seeking assistance from other Member States such as:

uncertainty about who to contact; language barriers; lack of established procedures for cooperation.

For example, a Hungarian dentist who wants to work in Germany needs to have his professional qualification recognised by the competent regional chamber of dentists in Germany, who may in turn need to verify the dentist's Hungarian diploma. Using IMI, the authority can identify its Hungarian counterpart in the database of competent authorities and select a question in German. The Hungarian authority will receive the question in Hungarian and can select a corresponding reply in Hungarian that will be sent to the German authority in German. This works much faster than exchanging information by fax or letter, which often needed to be translated as well. Out of all requests made through IMI, 58% receive a reply within two weeks.  For the dentist, this means that his application will be processed quickly without the need to request costly translations and that he will be able to start his work in Germany without delay.

Europe's 2020 strategy and Europe's economy heavily rely on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) achieving their potential. In the EU, some 23 million SMEs employ 67% of the private sector workforce. The Small Business Act (SBA) is the EU policy framework aimed at strengthening SMEs so that they can grow and create employment. Between 2008 and 2010, the Commission and EU Member States implemented actions set out in the SBA to alleviate administrative burden, facilitate SMEs' access to finance and support their access to new markets. Although most initiatives foreseen by the SBA have been initiated, a review of implementation so far reveals that more must be done to help SMEs.

 

Successful SBA Initiatives since 2008

The Small Business Act is the first comprehensive SME policy framework for the EU and its Member States. Since its adoption in June 2008, considerable progress has been made through actions to strengthen SMEs in a number of areas:

100 000 SMEs have benefited from the financial instruments of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, creating more than 100 000 jobs.

Through the late payment directive public authorities are now required to pay their suppliers within 30 days, improving the cash flow of businesses.

In most EU Member States the time and cost of setting up a company has been considerably reduced, lowering the EU average for a private limited company from 12 days and €485 in 2007 to 7 days and €399 in 2010.

Streamlined online procedures and opportunities for joint bidding have made participation in public procurement easier for SMEs.

The new EU SME Centre in China helps SMEs accessing the Chinese markets.

Although all Member States have acknowledged the importance of a rapid implementation of the SBA, the approach taken and the results achieved vary considerably between Member States. The review underlines that Member States have to step up their efforts to promote entrepreneurship and SMEs to support entrepreneurship in today's difficult economic climate.

Giving fresh impetus to the SBA

The Commission is determined to continue to give priority to SMEs. To reflect the latest economic developments, align the SBA with the priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy and continuously improve the business environment for SMEs, the review proposes further action in a number of priority areas:

Improved access to finance to invest and grow

Access to loan guarantees for SMEs through strengthened loan guarantee schemes;

Action plan for improving SMEs' access to finance, including access to venture capital markets, as well as targeted measures aimed at making investors more aware of the opportunities offered by SMEs;

Allow all banks, independent of size, to easily implement EIB loans and EU instruments.

Smart regulation to enable SMEs to concentrate on core business

Improved EU legislation through an SME Test for the Commission's legislative proposals paying specific attention to the differences between micro, small and medium enterprises;

Development of "points of single contact" in Member States to facilitate administrative procedures;

Quantified targets for reduced "gold plating", the practice of national bodies to exceed the terms of EU directives when translating them into national law.

Making full use of the Single Market

Proposal for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base;

Measures to facilitate cross-border debt recovery;

Revision of the European standardisation system making standards more SME-friendly and easily accessible;

Guidance to SMEs making use of labelling of origin rules.

Helping SMEs face the challenges of globalisation and climate change

Proposals to support SMEs in markets outside the EU;

New strategy for globally competitive clusters and networks;

Specific action on regional knowledge transfer between environmental and energy experts within the Enterprise Europe Network.

The review also proposes strengthened governance for the implementation of the SBA, with business organisations at the frontline.

The rules and regulations pertaining to the whole process on driving and driving licences is a regulatory framework stipulated by the European Union and all Member States including Malta must transpose the Directives to local legislation.

 

Currently, all licensing aspects are regulated by Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 65.18), parts of which were transposed from Directive 91/439/EC. A new Directive 2006/126 was brought into effect by the Commission, replacing Directive 91/439, and as of the 19th January 2013, a number of new measures will come into force.

The essential elements of the new Directive relate to a common transport policy, reducing possibilities of driving licence card fraud, contributing to improving road safety, and facilitating the free movement of persons taking up residence in a Member State other than the one issuing the licence. The other main elements of the Directive include the following.

Harmonisation of categories, particularly those for mopeds and motorcycles

Improved progressive access to bus and truck categories by established minimum ages

Harmonised periodical medical checks and truck categories

GRTU has a list of changes under the new Directive. Kindly contact the GRTU for this information. Feedback should be received 18 March 2011.

LIFE+ is the European Union's direct funding programme for the Environment providing funding opportunities for the conservation of protected habitats and species, the halt of loss in biodiversity and the implementation of environmental policy as a key dimension of sustainable development. Environment protection is of crucial importance to the European Union. LIFE+ is there to provide complementary support to other funding instruments aimed at protecting our environment.

 

LIFE+ is subdivided into three distinct strands, thus a vast array of projects can be implemented. These strands are:

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity, which may include the conservation of threatened habitats and species as well as actions to halt the loss in  biodiversity;

LIFE+ Environmental Policy & Governance which aims specifically at contributing to the implementation, updating and development of Community environmental policy and legislation, including nature and biodiversity, climate change, water, air, soil, urban environment, noise, chemicals, environmental health, waste and natural resources as well as the integration of environment into other policies, thereby contributing to sustainable development; and

LIFE+ Information & Communication which deals with information campaigns related to all the environmental aspects mentioned above. Such proposed projects must seek to raise awareness on environmental issues so as to achieve a positive change in people's attitude towards the environment.

The new application package including applications and all the related documentation and guidelines, will be found online on the official website being http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm  .In addition, one can also find a database listing all the projects that have been funded under LIFE/LIFE+ together with a brief description of the projects as well as links to their websites on http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm

Six substances of very high concern will be banned within the next three to five years unless an authorisation has been granted to individual companies for their use. These substances are carcinogenic, toxic for reproduction or persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. Operators wishing to sell or use these substances will need to demonstrate that the required safety measures have been taken to adequately control the risks, or that the benefits for the economy and society outweigh the risks. Where feasible alternative substances or techniques exist, a timetable for substitution will also have to be submitted. The Commission decision follows the successful first phase of registration and notification of chemicals. It is part of REACH, Europe's initiative to make the use of chemicals safer.

 

Six substances of very high concern have been moved from the candidate list to the authorisation list, known as Annex XIV, under the EU's REACH regulation (Regulation No 1907/2006 for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Substances in Annex XIV cannot be placed on the market or used unless authorisation has been granted for a specific use.

The adopted measures constitute a first step in the implementation of the authorisation requirement laid down in the REACH Regulation. It is part of an ongoing process whereby additional substances will be added to Annex XIV in the future. The objective is to ensure that the risks from substances of very high concern are properly controlled and that these substances are progressively replaced by economically and technically viable alternatives. To that end, the Commission aims to put forward a greater number of known substances of very high concern for inclusion in the candidate list. The Commission and the European Chemicals Agency are fully committed to achieve this goal with the active engagement of the Member States.

The following 6 chemicals are the first entrants in the Annex XIV: 5-ter-butyl-   2,4,6-trinito-m-xylene (musk xylene), 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), bis(2-ethylexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Background

Chemicals listed in Annex XIV are selected from a candidate list of substances of very high concern based on recommendations made by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Substances of very high concern are chemicals which meet one or more of the criteria set out in Article 57 of the REACH Regulation and which have been identified as substances of very high concern in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 59 of the Regulation. There are currently 46 substances of very high concern on the candidate list.

Guidance documents on the preparation of applications for authorisation and on the socio-economic analysis have been published by ECHA on its website.

For each substance listed a "sunset date" is provided, ranging from 2014 to 2015. From this date the substance may only be placed on the market or used if an authorisation has been granted or an application for authorisation has been made before the "latest application date". This is the date by which anyone wishing to keep using a listed chemical after the sunset date must make an application.

These requirements apply regardless of the tonnage at which the substance is placed on the market or used, as no lower limits are provided for the authorisation requirement. Some uses of substances, such as intermediates, are excluded from the authorisation requirement.

Authorisation applications must be submitted to ECHA. The Agency's Risk Assessment Committee and Socio Economic Committee will then consider each application and submit their opinion to the European Commission. The final decision will be taken by the European Commission.

Commerce is always greatly affected with such upheavals and what is happening now is unprecedented as it affects the whole region. Libya, but not only Libya but also Tunisia and Egypt, though at a lesser extent, are also important for Malta, will greatly effect our exports and our growing import-export trade, Libya is of particular concern as the involvement of Maltese entrepreneurs large and small is very extensive and the number of workers based in Libya is great and all this has created a steady foreign exchange earning capability for Malta, which is difficult to replace.  I am really surprised that in spite of our immediate demands as we realised what was happening, it was obvious for all those watching Libya closely that the trouble would escalate, but yet government has not set a task force with the participation of the private sector and put aside funds and guarantees so that businesses will not break under the pressure.

 

Government was quick to act when the financial crisis was on us and the Banks needed public moneys guarantees that not only saved the day for them and for us but also caused the Banks to continue to accumulate heavy profits, and now that small courageous entrepreneurs are involved, Government seems to me to be indecisive. We need to define the problems faced by enterprises in Malta and especially those with investments in Libya and define urgent and precise measures of support. The situation will not turn favourably too soon so the enterprises under pressure need urgent support. Then there is also the question as to what Libyan assets are really going to be frozen as this will seriously affect the bigger enterprises operating in Malta. The trouble itself will cause new opportunities but it all depends on the logistics, Air travel, shipping, operation of ports and airport payment systems. An effective task Force is a must. What has been built by us in Libya has been done over a forty year period. We will not be able to reach again this level of business if we let all fall.

The question of price increases is serious and I am tired stressing at every opportunity I have that Government cannot simply act as a transmission belt with the semi-independent authorities like MRA simply approving without any government counter action as if the economic impact is not important. The old concept of complete government detachment from the market and the policy of non-intervention has failed. It should have been buried with the other pre-economic crises rabble. Government must now discuss the use of economic and fiscal tools to sustain business and help unleash a more reasonable approach. We are not talking of bulk buying but of serious burden reductions on enterprises so that increases can be balanced against other cost reduction and tax advantages before transmitting all to users and consumers. I do not detect any serious approach to this problem from the side of the authorities, Prime Minister included.

The international community including the EU is moving too slow and they are not clear on the growing negative impact as economic activity is slowing down drastically in the region and the logistical operability is very negatively affected. Individual governments are taking action but effectively entrepreneurs everywhere have been left on there own and before drastic financial and economic support is drafted, agreed to and implemented the negative consequences will continue to grow. Again here it's the same story. When the financial sector fell in crisis an incredible five thousand billion euros were magically found, yet now when so many tens of thousands of workers and entrepreneurs from the manufacturing, commerce and services sectors are involved it's almost as if nothing is happening. And all those stories and reports from conferences and seminars on the Mediterranean Union and Mediterranean co-operation are as good as dead.

The GRTU, the Paola Local Council and the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport & Communications (MITC) joined forces and for the past days have worked together upon the best solution as to where the Paola Interchange will be placed so that no harm will be caused to the Business Community let alone the Resident.

 

Discussions commenced on the 11th February 2011 where a meeting was organised for the Paola Business Community after the GRTU was informed by the Paola Local Council that works will start in due course on the Interchange in the Main Square of Paola as proposed by Transport Malta. The Local Council informed that no Traffic Impact Assessment was presented as to how the changes will affect the traffic system as no consultation took place with the stakeholders as required on the design of the main square and circulating bus routes.

Both the GRTU and the Local Council kept work from commencing as both agreed that no consultation has been made with all parties concerned.  Both the Council and GRTU considered a line of negotiation to propose, sound alternatives and resolve issues which are of concern to many of the local sectors whilst still supporting the transit concept. The Local Council proposed that the Interchange will be set in Valletta Road.

Objections at different levels;

The plans by Transport Malta propose two 30m bus bays and shelters along the pavement from HSBC Paola Branch to Church Avenue and from Main Street Mall in front of APS bank down to the Hibernians FC.

The plans do not consider alternative parking, service area for loading and unloading and congestion at peak-time with buses as frequent as 66 buses per hour including 19 meter buses.

The project does not resolve the junction upgrade which is crucial to traffic management at the lower part of the square where intersections from Zabbar Road and Cospicua Road merge at the Square with Valletta Road.

The Schools and College in the area namely Paola Primary A and B, St. Thomas Moore School, St. George Preca College was in the dark. Plans to initiate a Walking Bus for the primary school will have to be shelved. Four main bus routes at 20-30 minute intervals will be circulating the area around the four schools impeding any possible mobility and access.

The new routes will effect primarily the curfew hours for Church Avenue and Guze D'Amato. There will be a clash at peak times negatively impacting the Health and Safety of the school children, pupils, the teachers and parents.

The traffic impact will be transmitted further to interconnecting streets creating further congestion, further parking problems for local residents and business with extensive pollution.

The Local Council was concerned on the impact of the major Health Centre in Paola. Complaining that the congestion in the square will affect the Ambulance and the parking possibilities within for users in the area.

In no part of the plans are there indication of accessibility for all and full access for the impaired either at the main square or the sites on Church Avenue and Guze D'Amato.

The GRTU took note of all these complaints/objections and organised a meeting to discuss them with the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport & Communications. A fruitful meeting took place with representatives from the said Ministry proposing that the Interchange will be set partly in the Main Square and partly in Valletta Road. GRTU was asked to prepare a questionaire with both the Local Council and MITC proposals and present the result to the Ministry. The majority of those surveyed were in favour of MITC's proposal, that the Interchange will be set partly in the Main Square and partly in Valletta Road.

Another meeting took place between MITC and the Local Council and an agreement was reached. The Interchange will be set up partly in the Main Square starting from the lower area (Hibernians FC side) and partly in Valletta Road.

The GRTU together with the Local Council met last week with representatives from the Roads Infrastructure Directorate (RID) to discuss the plan of works as agreed. Works are to commence in the coming days.