Category: Archive – 2012

Philip Fenech on behalf of the Hospitality and Leisure Division of the Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU, welcomed the newly announced routes that Ryanair chose to operate to Malta. The seven additional routes provide increased accessibility from a Tourism viewpoint, especially those providing additional links to Italy and the UK, as well as the new routes connecting the Scandinavian market via Norway and Sweden.

Moreover the novel connections with Poland and Lithuania will provide a fresh impetus to the tourism sector. Every increase in accessibility to Malta results in a direct increase in the economic growth of our country, Mr. Fenech said.

The survey takes only 5 minutes to fill in.In most countries access to funds and capital by enterprises in order to be able to make investments in their business is very difficult. GRTU would like to know more about the situation in Malta. With this information the GRTU will be able to negotiate for better conditions with Government and the banks. The survey will be open until Wednesday the 25th of January.

To participate, please follow the link: http://grtu.net/surveys/index.php?sid=18

Services of General Economic Interest are for example: basic, publicly accessible supply of energy, telecommunication, postal services, transport, water and waste disposal services.

At its last meeting before Christmas break the European Commission adopted on 20 December a package of rules on State aid related to Services of General Economic Interests (SGEI) which replaces the so-called Monti – Kroes Package from 2006.

The package includes:

1. Communication clarifying the overall concept of State aid in the context of SGEI (public services, public services compensation, entrustment, transparency, public enterprises, etc.) – positive

 2. Decision, which exempts Member States from the notification of public services compensation, if the compensation is below 15 Mil Euro (before it was 30 Mil Euro) – positive – or it is related to social services (before only hospital and social housing as exempted) – negative.

3. Framework communication for assessing large compensations (beyond 15 Mil Euro).

Furthermore, the Commission presented a draft for a de-minimis regulation, which aims to declare compensation below 500.000 Euro within 3 years as free of aid. UEAPME has argued against this proposal, because SMEs could be the main victim of unjustified (over) compensation or cross-subsidies paid to potential competitors of our enterprises and the proposed regulation will take away the possibility to complain against such unjustified compensations.

GRTU has this week submitted its comments to Government on the issue in line with the position taken by UEAPME as follows:

1. General remarks

Given their weight in the economy and their importance for the production of other goods and services, services of general interest (SGI) are fundamental factors for competitiveness and cohesion, in particular terms for attracting investment in less-favoured regions. The quality, efficiency and non-discriminatory provision of SGI are also conditions for the smooth functioning of the Single Market and for further economic integration in the European Union.

SMEs, Crafts and Trades rely on a wide range of SGI – some of which have a great strategic importance – and considerably depend on high quality, affordability, continuity of supply, safety and security of supply of these services.

Given that SMEs also have to finance SGI through taxation and user charges, they are very interested in the efficient production of SGEI to ensure that services are delivered in a competitive manner. For this reason, SMEs are in general in favour of the private provision of SGI within a competitive environment. However the respect of the provision by the European Treaty, which allows each public entity to decide on its own how its public services should be provided.

2. General comments on the State aid package on compensations granted for the provision of services of general economic interests (SGEI)

The review of the so-called "Monti – Kroes" package from 2005 is welcomes with the aim to provide further clarification on the concept of undertakings and economic activities and the definition of State resources. Furthermore, we agree with the core principles of the regulations, which are based on an explicit entrustment act, compliance with transparency and public procurement rules, a clear definition of compensation and over-compensation and rules for the selection of providers. All these principles are in line with the demand of SMEs for an efficient and effective provision of such services.

3. Specific comments on the proposal for a de minimis aid regulation

We have in general no objection to simplifying the procedure for small municipalities, which entrust public services obligations to small companies. However, the concrete proposal made by the Commission may create some problems as regards an effective control of over-compensation and will increase complexity of the state aid system: The current "Monti – Kroes" package requires for all public service obligations an entrustment act and defines rules for compensation / overcompensation. This regulation is the only effective base for private companies to complain against distortion of competition, if companies or other entities entrusted with public services obligations are cross-financing other market activities (i.e. in cases of over-compensation).

The new de minimis regulation, which does not require any form of entrustment or any rule for the compensation of public services obligations, will take away any possibility for private companies to complain against the abuse of the general rules created by the Commission and by the Court of Justice. Therefore, we ask for conditionality as regards the use of the de minimis regulations. The regulation should only apply in cases where there is an entrustment act that includes clear rules for compensation. This would allow private companies to complain at least before national judges in cases of abuse and distortion of competition. If such conditionality is not ensured, we would propose to refer just to the general de minimis regulation, which allows only state aid up to € 200.000 within three years, compared to € 450.000 / 3 year in the current proposal. This would also avoid additional complexity by applying to different "de minimis" regulations in the area of State aid.

4. Specific comments on the proposal for decision on public services compensation (block exemption)

We welcomes the reduction of the maximum amount of aid (compensation), which has not to be notified, to € 15 Million per year. However, we have serious concerns about the general inclusion of all compensations to hospitals and social services regardless of the amount of aid into the block exemption.

During the last years the provision of private services in the health and social sector has improved significantly in many countries, which has increased the effectiveness of such services as well the quality and variety of these services. The proposed regulation risks destroying these markets and may increase the cost and limit the supply in these sectors. Therefore, the Commission was asked to restrict these exemptions to the absolute minimum.

Consultation: Environmental Permitting of Industrial Activities  –  GRTU has this week written to the officials concerned at MEPA stating that after having reviewed the contents of the consultation document we noted that the time frame permitted to provide feedback in relation to this proposed legislation is quite short. (07.02.2012).

GRTU came to this conclusion after having come to the realisation that there are a significant number of sectors involved in this matter. GRTU therefore asked for an extension up to the end of April 2012. This would provide enough time to at least meet with the most important sectors involved and give them at least some time to provide a decent feedback.

GRTU has today received confirmation that following our request MEPA will be extending the deadline by 1 month-07.03.2012. MEPA also stated that it will also consider extending the deadline further should the need still be felt. GRTU welcomes this decision.

A Public Consultation Meeting was held yesterday 19^th January at the Mellieha Primary School after Transport Malta received a request from Mellieha Local Council to turn Triq Gorg Borg Olivier into a one-way in the direction towards the Ghadira Bay.
Transport Malta informed all those present that the Local Council is proposing to have Triq Borg Olivier one-way downwards from j/w Triq San Publiju to j/w Triq Snajjin for a trial period of four months. For this reason a traffic survey was carried out by officials of the Research and Development Unit to quantify and assess the percentage of through traffic in Triq Borg Olivier/TriqMarfa/Triq Kbira when compared with local traffic.

From the survey it results that for the traffic movement from Triq Marfa to Mellieha roundabout (uphill) for the morning peak, the maximum percentage of through traffic was 12,5% whilst a maximum of 87.1% was local traffic. For the traffic movement from Mellieha roundabout to Triq Marfa (downhill) for the morning peak, the maximum percentage of through traffic was 15.4% whilst a maximum of 84.1% was local traffic. In both cases, the percentage of through traffic for the midday peak was less.

A traffic survey was also carried out for heavy vehicles in the winter season in Triq Marfa for a weekday for passenger cars and for heavy vehicles, coaches and route buses. For the survey it transpired that Triq il-Kbira/Borg Olivier takes a considerable amount of heavy vehicles with a maximum of 29.6% for the downhill traffic during the morning peak. The percentage of heavy vehicles proceeding uphill is a maximum of 16.2% occurring during the midday peak time with 11.4% of heavy vehicles passing during the morning peak. The national percentage of heavy vehicles from the total licensed vehicles is 15.64%.  All the above percentage values for heavy vehicles exceed the national percentage except for the percentage of heavy vehicles proceeding uphill during the morning peak.

Conclusion

1. There is a relatively small percentage of through-traffic in Triq Borg Olivier and hence this percentage cannot be interpreted as being the cause of the congestion problems in this road

2. Data for passenger cars and heavy vehicles shows that the most critical movement is for vehicles proceeding downhill.  However such values also show that, collectively, the percentage of heavy vehicles passing through Triq Borg Olivier is very high when considering the effective road widths.  It is understood that it is not the wish of any of the stakeholders to reduce on-street parking in Triq Borg Olivier and hence, the additional effective road width required cannot be obtained through the removal of on-street parking.

3.  The main cause of the congestion problems in this road is not the through traffic but the lard percentage of heavy vehicles which, given the limited effective road width, are not sustainable.

4.  From an overview of the alternative routes identified through Triq Gnien Ingraw, Triq Tas-salib and through Triq Dun Frangisk Sciberras, it resulted that these alternative routes have serious road safety issues and are not considered adequate albeit they are already being used today but to a much lesser extent and only by the immediate residents of such streets. With the proposed one – way, the use of such routes will be due to no other options available by general Mellieha traffic.

I was shocked to hear the Hon Franco Debono statement that business and the economy is second, or lower still, to anything he is saying about democracy and our system of justice. I would have understood that a serious preoccupation would have arisen if the European Court of Justice, the United Nations or our own Constitutional Court had delivered any condemnation or decision that reflected badly on democracy and the rule of law in Malta. Indeed, if that were the case, I would have greatly subscribed to the need for people to revolt.

But the state of democracy in Malta today is not in peril. Definitely not in the mind of the very vast majority of the Maltese and almost the absolute total of the enterprises GRTU represents.  I honestly think it is an insult to all Maltese were we to admit that in Malta we have serious problems with our justice system and with the rule of law or that our democratic institutions are so endangered that we stand better  off  if we were to throw everything else overboard and concentrate  only on the defence of democracy at whatever the price. There was a time in Malta, and not so distant, when we had to do that, and I personally am proud of the role I took then and so is the national organisation I proudly preside on today, GRTU. When the need really arose GRTU was on the forefront to fight for democracy, the rule of law and the right for free trade and the right to have an independent Court of Justice and a Police Force that protected and not threatened people. Who in his right senses can state today that we have a crisis of democracy that is worth throwing everything else overboard?

I deal with government and with public institutions on behalf of GRTU's seven thousand members, who together own more than ten thousand business and employ tens of thousands of Maltese employees. I know that there is much more to be done so that our system is fine tuned to the best of European standards. But I am proud, so proud, of what this country has succeeded to do in a relatively short period of time since we embarked on a programme of liberalisation and social and political development which has seen its climax in the years since we have been members of the European Union. We all admit there is still so much to be done and we are enthusiastic to get things done, but always within the framework of the institutions we have as a result of our adoption of the European model, democratically adopted and within the limits of our capabilities as a small nation state. We in GRTU have transformed ourselves successfully from an organisation that simply grumbles and complains into an effective professional and well organised outfit that not only successfully transmits to the authorities, here in Malta and in Brussels, the views and needs of the small enterprise and self employed sector in Malta's, but also into a strong national organisation that provides constant support and services to our members and that is tireless in the provision of proposals and suggestions for further improvements to our national economic performance and the constant upgrading of our democratic and social support and cohesion systems.

We do make noise and often complain loudly in the media and take drastic action when the need arises or when the arguments around the negotiation table lead nowhere, but we are all the time conscious that what we say in the public, though genuinely in support of the causes we are fighting on to safeguard our members, may have a negative impact on consumers and a serious subtraction of total sales to the sufferance of our own members. That is precisely what happens every time people are confused with an issue or another. It happens before Budget day, it happens each time there is a crisis, real or imagined. People simply withdraw from buying and stick to the essentials. Bars, restaurants, places of entertainment, supermarkets and home stores immediately feel the plunge. Consumer confidence today is so fragile and unpredictable. Politicians and we leaders of constituted bodies and trade unions have to be very careful as to what action and what messages we send to the public. This applies to all, leaders and backbenchers. The media more often than not is ready to jump on the sensational. Most times I believe that journalists are too gullible to bother about the impact of what they highlight. Indeed I suspect that very often certain sections of the media have a hidden agenda of distortion and exaggeration, in spite of the negative impact on business, may be more a design than a coincidence.

The political situation today is an exaggeration and the damage it is already doing to business is incalculable. My people are suffering. Businesses are losing money. Sales are in the doldrums. Of course, the economy and business is a priority. The crisis in the rule of law and to democracy may be big in Dr Franco Debono's mind, but I state categorically, that this is not the case in enterprise owners' minds. Business has enough problems to deal with. We have gone through a pretty tough period over the last 3 years. We as GRTU have argued and even banged on tables and done whatever we could possibly do within the framework of a democratic system where legitimate lobbying is not only permissible but has also the fora where consultation and negotiation occur on a wider agenda than most people care to know, but we always keep the wider economic and social picture in mind. Yes, it's the economy that rules.  There is no crisis either in democracy or in the rule of law. There is no crisis in the economy either. We have problems but with diligence and professional co-operation there are no insurmountable problems. Business owners are carrying a terrible burden. They are moving on, continuing to invest and utilise the support of a number of favourable assistance schemes that we as GRTU have successfully negotiated on their behalf. They are continuing to recruit labour and in spite of the new pressure on Government to further cut its Budget deficit, overall there is business confidence.

We in business do not love people who rock the boat. I don't want to go into the merit of what are the real issues between Dr Franco Debono and Dr Lawrence Gonzi and the Nationalist Party. What interests me is tranquillity and prioritising of what really matters for our businesses and for our employees. Lengthy discussions in Parliament and in the media on political issues and all this hype about instability is bad for business. I am honestly shocked at the number of business owners who express their ingrained fear of change. They simply don't want change and don't want anyone to rock the boat. Politicians cannot continue to talk and pronounce without taking heed of the economic impact of what they say. When I say economic impact it means loss of profits, it means loss of jobs, it means somebody is being made to pay, somebody is made to suffer, because someone else is enjoying his right to say and act irrespective of anything else. This is not correct. The country does not deserve this crisis. Whoever is responsible must reflect deeply and retract. Prudence and diligence must lead.

Green MT, the National Authorised Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme will as from the first week of February launch segregated collections of packaging and recyclable material from Birkirkara after an agreement was reached with the Local Council.

On Wednesdays, a collection of paper, carton, newspapers, leaflets and magazines will take place. These can be left at the kerbside , tied decently , and collection will be made door to door. On Friday, a collection will be made for plastic and metal placed in the usual grey bag, also door to door. Green mt recovers nearly 16 tons of  recyclable materials from Birkirkara in two days of grey bag collection. However the costs of segregating the grey bag are not economically feasable and as such related action had to be taken to make sure that Local Councils in Malta are incentivised in order to effect such segregated collections.

Currently Green MT has deployed four Eco Councillors on a door to door visit in Birkirkara, distributing a leaflet in respect to this segregation and explaining to individuals how the system will work. Birkirkara is the first Local Council under agreement with Green MT to effect such a collection. Other Local Councils will follow accordingly in the coming months. It is envisaged that by end of June 2012 all Local Councils in agreement with Green MT will be effecting segregated recyclable collection.

Green MT, the National Authorised Waste Packaging, with currently over 1400 producer members continues to grow rapidly. During calendar year 2011, its producer members placed nearly 21,000 tons of packaging waste in the market and the Scheme has recovered nearly 14,000 tons, nearly 270 tons weekly which have now been directed to recycling instead of landfill. It is by far an impressive result brought about by the continued support of the public in general and with the help of a fairly large number of commercial establishments led by GRTU, who work incessantly to shoulder their moral obligation towards the environment.

In the very near future, Green MT will be launching a public campaign via a very popular TV afternoon show which will include a number of gifts and awards to those who take up recycling  seriously.

Green MT  has also embarked on a massive education campaign at schools.  Eco Councillors are visiting Schools and discussing segregation of waste and recyclables with School Heads and setting up days when to visit individual classes and make presentations to the students. Green MT is also discussing at these Schools further hardware needs of each individual school so that students are further enticed to segregate their waste at source. Green mt will also be organising trips for students to visit the Sant Antnin Materials Recovery Facility operated by Wasteserv Malta Limited.

Il-President Paul Abela iwissi :

• 1.Lil-Gvern: "It-Tnaqqis tan-nefqa Pubblika ara li tiehdu minn fuq is-setturi non-produttivi u tmissx in-nefqa Kapitali u l-iskemi u progetti ghan-Negozji Zghar u Self-Employed"
• 2. Lill-Politici: "Solvu l-problema tal-instabbilita' Politika li inholqot. In-Negozji iridu it-trankwillita'. Ghandha bizzejjed problemi ekonomici biex noqghodu ninhlew fuq il-Politika"

Fil-Kwartieri Generali tal-GRTU fi Triq ir-Repubblika  l-Belt Valletta, il-GRTU – l-Kamra tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, zammet it-Tlieta u Sittin Laqgha Generali Annwali. Id-Diskorsi ewlenin f'din il-laqgha kienu d-Diskors tal-President Paul Abela u dak tad-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia (kopja tad-Diskors tal-President Paul Abela tinsab aktar l-isfel filwaqt li taqsira tar-Rapport Amministrattiv tad-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia tinsab fuq il-website www.grtu.eu).

Id-Direttur Generali ta dettalji tal-attivitajiet u l-issues ewlenin li hadmet fuqhom il-GRTU fuq livell Lokali u livelli Settorali u Nazzjonali f'Malta u x-xoghol li twettaq fuq issues relatati mal-Unjoni Ewropeja u l-implimentazzjoni f'Malta tad-direttivi u regolamenti tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Id-Direttur Generali fir-Rapport tieghu habbar li matul l-2011 fil-GRTU dahhlu elf u hamest (1,500) membru gdid il-bicca il-kbira minnhom mis-settur kummercjali u ohrajn minn gruppi godda ta' self-employed li hassew il-htiega li jkunu moghqdija ahjar bis-servizzi u l-appogg li taghti lill-imsiehba taghha l-GRTU.

 Il-President tal-GRTU Paul Abela ghalaq il-Laqgha Generali Annwali b'diskors imhejji apposta ghall-okazzjoni:

L-2011 kienet sena partikolari u jidher li l-2012 se tkun aktar. Bhala GRTU fl-2011 komplejna issahhahna kemm bhala membri godda kif ukoll bhala organizzazzjoni u bhala firxa ta' xoghol u fuq kollox bhala rizultati. Bhala membri godda din kienet sena tajba hafna, b'zieda ta' elf u hames mitt (1,500) membru gdid sa l-ahhar tas-sena. Il-Membri godda gew l-aktar mill-qasam l-aktar importanti ghalina, dak tas-settur kummercjali. Dahhalna ukoll fil-GRTU gruppi godda ta' self-employed minn oqsma ta' servizzi li qabel ma kinux imsiehba fil-GRTU. Bhala organizzazzjoni komplejna wkoll issahhahna. Issa ghandha organizzazzjoni fejn b'nies kwalifikati u mharga qed jispeccjalizzaw l-energija taghhom fuq oqsma importanti ghall-membri taghna, bhal ma huwa xoghol marbut mal-Unjoni Ewropeja, direttivi, regolamenti godda, tahrig, standards u rapprezentazzjonijiet dwar kif ikunu imfassla l-Ligijiet u l-Avvizi Legali li jolqtu l-imsiehba taghna, kif ukoll EU Support Desk. Illum ghandha ukoll Ufficju Legali li mhux biss jaghrbel dak kollu li jkun qed isir u li jolqot lis-self-employed u lis-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar, imma wkoll jaghti pariri lil membri fuq kwistjonijiet dwar taxxa, licenzji, kera u azzjonijiet ta' enforcement mid-diversi entitajiet tal-Gvern.

Qasam iehor speccjalizzat hu dak dwar il-Lokalitajiet fejn insegwu dak kollu li jsir fuq livell ta' Kunsill Lokali u fuq problemi ta' immaniggjar ta' traffiku u dwar parking u kwistjonijiet ohra li jolqtu lin-negozji fil-lokalitajiet. Dan il-unit jikkumplimenta x-xoghol tal-Kumitati tas-Sezzjonijiet u jaghmel follow-up fuq numru kbir ta' kwistjonijiet mqajjma minn gruppi differenti organizzati fil-GRTU. Xoghol kbir iehor li dhalna ghalih bil-kbir hu dak marbut ma' issues dwar l-energija alternattiva, dwar problemi ta' riciklagg ta' skart u l-problemi kbar li qed jaffaccjaw hafna negozji fis-servizzi, fil-portijiet u fil-qasam tad-distribuzzjoni. Isahhahna ukoll din is-sena fir-rapprezentazzjoni taghna fil-qasam tat-turizmu u fil-qasam tal-farmacewtika u qed inzidu ukoll ir-rapprezentazzjoni taghna dwar kwistjonijiet dwar Ghawdex. Komplejna ukoll fuq ix-xoghol taghna bhala rapprezentanti tan-negozji fil-Belt Valletta u f'zoni important bhal Marsaxlokk, tas-Sliema, Naxxar, Mellieha San Pawl il-Bahar, Paceville u Rahal Gdid fost ohrajn. Dwar il-kwistjoni tal-kera ghamilna arrangamenti li minnhom ser igawdu hafna negozji li ntlaqqtu hazin bil-Ligi tal-kera fil-Belt u issa qed nirsistu biex din is-soluzzjoni tkun estiza ghal-postijiet ohra.

Fuq kollox lehinha llum jasal ukoll bis-sahha fuq livell Ewropew fejn bis-sahha tar-rapprezentazzjoni tad-Direttur Generali fuq il-Kumitat Socjali u Ekonomiku Ewropoew u tieghi bhala r-rapprezentant fuq il-Kumitat dwar Fondi Socjali Ewropew, il-GRTU illum hi stabbilita' sew bhala organizzazzjoni ewlenija li tirraprezenta l-SME's Maltin. Sahhahna ukoll ir-rapprezentazzjoni taghna fl-organizzazzjonijiet li ahna attivi fihom fuq livell Ewropew, l-UEAPME u l-Euro Commerce fejn jien bhala President u Vince Farrugia bhala Direttur Generali, ahna membri tal-Bord Amministrattiv ta' dawn iz-zewg organizzazzjonijiet importanti. Illum in-negozjant zghir Malti ghandu jkun kburi li bil-GRTU mhux biss ghandu min iharrsu imma wkoll organizzazzjoni stmata, kemm f'Malta kif ukoll fi Brussels. Ghaqda li tasal.

F'Malta ahna forza ewlenija fir-rapprezentazzjonijiet taghna lill-Gvern mhux biss b'laqghat kontinwi dwar kwistjonijiet li jolqtu is-sezzjonijiet, laqghat ma' Ministri, ma' Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen u CEO's tal-Awtoritajiet Regulatorji, imma wkoll b'laqghat spissi dwar issues ta' importanza ekonomika nazzjonali. Il-Prim Ministru u diversi Ministri, aktar minn darba, u b'enfasi, jaccennaw ghall-importanza tal-proposti u s-suggerimenti konkreti li taghti l-GRTU. Illum ghandha influwenza kbira u ngibu r-rizultati u bhala GRTU ahna ngawdu l-akbar rispett mill-Awtoritajiet. Dan hu rizultat ta' hafna hidma, ta' preparazzjoni tajba u kontinwa u direzzjoni generali kapaci.

Kif ighidt, ghall-ekonomija u ghas-setturi rapprezentati minnha, is-sena 2011 ma kinitx sena facli. Wara l-inkwiet ekonomiku fl-2009 u l-2010, is-sena l-ohra rat l-ghawg kbir li ffaccja l-Ewro wara li pajjiz wiehed wara l-iehor beda jifga taht pizijiet ta' dejn u zbilanci finanzjarji. Ahna ghalkemm pajjiz zghir irrezistejna u ghalaqna is-sena fuq livell relattivament sodisfacenti, ghalkemm ghall-hafna negozji rapprezentati minna, kienet sena tassew iebsa. L-2012 ma tantx qed turi prospetti sbieh, pero ahna se nibqghu nahdmu u ninsistu, kif ghamilna bil-proposti taghna ghall-Budget 2012, biex il-Gvern jahdem aktar, kemm b'nefqa kapitali akbar, kif ukoll bl-introduzzjoni ta' skemi godda favur in-negozji z-zghar, biex l-ekonomija lokali tibqa tirranka. Jekk nahdmu bil-ghaqal, l-2012 m'ghandix tkissirna.

Pero pajjizna irridu nibzghu ghalih ilkoll. Pajjizna mhux tal-Gvern u haddiehor gallerija. Pajjizna taghna ilkoll – Gvern, Oppozizzjoni, Unions, Korpi Kostitwiti, Socjeta' Civili u Poplu. Pajjizna ma jaffordjax li nwaqquh lura mill-attenzjoni shiha taghna lejn x'jaqbel l-aktar li jsir biex insahhu l-ekonomija ta' pajjizna. Ix-Xoghol u l-investiment jigi l-ewwel. L-argumenti li nholqu dan l-ahhar dwar maggoranza jew mhux maggoranza fil-Parlament, huma argumenti li qed jaghmlu hsara lil pajjizna. Hemm zmien ghal kollox -zmien ghax-xoghol u zmien ghall-politika. Issa zmien ix-xoghol. Dan li jesigi pajjizna, minghandna lkoll, bhala prijorita'. F'isem il-GRTU qed nghid b'lehen qawwi lill-Prim Ministru, Opozizzjoni u lid-Deputat Franco Debono, li pajjizna jrid li din il-kwistjoni tinqata'. Ahna tallajnikom fil-Parlament biex tindukrawlna xoghlna, n-negozju taghna u tharrsulna l-pajjizna.

L-Issue l-kbira verament ma kellha tkun qatt dik li qajjem l-Onorevoli Franco Debono, imma l-ordni tal-Kunsill tal-Ministri Ewropej li Malta trid tnaqqas aktar l-Budget Deficit. Il-Kunsill tal- Unjoni Ewropeja diga' wera' l-biza' li s-sussidju li l-Gvern irid jaghti lil AirMalta u z-zidiet fil-pagi li jridu l-haddiema tal-Gvern se jaghrqu s-sitwazzjoni finanzjarja tal-Gvern. Ghalhekk jien f'isem l-akbar firxa ta' sidien ta' negozji Maltin u self-employed qieghed nindirizza lil politici kollha, car u tond, solvu din il-problema malajr, issa mhux iz-zmien li nilaghbu bil-politika. Imma fuq kollox infakkar lill-Gvern, li n-nies tan-negozji u self-employed matul l-ahhar sena u sentejn ta' qabel, baghtew imma b'kuragg baqghu ghaddejin. Issa ejja ma nsibux il-flus ghal-kulhadd u lin-nies taghna ntuhom xi daqqa ohra l-isfel.

In-nies taghna zammew l-impjiegi u zammew l-intraprizi taghhom anke bit-telf. Issa li l-Gvern irid jerga' jissikka c-cinturin tan-nefqa pubblika, ma ridux li jsir dejjem dak li sar qabel, li lil min hu hobzu mahbuz nibzghu ghalih, u lin-nies taghna, li jridu kollha jfendu ghal-rashom, inkomplu nafguhom.

Ahna ferhanin li l-Gvern, waqqaf fuq parir taghna, Ministru b' responsabbilta' diretta ghan-Negozji z-zghar u self employed u lill-Onorevoli Jason Azzopardi nifirhulu minn qalbna. Twaqqfet ukoll Ligi apposta is-Small Business Act li tifavorixxi lin-negozzji z-zghar.

Imma l-fatti jitkellmu aktar min kull ligi u min kull decizjoni.

Fl-2012 irridu li tkun sena fejn is-sidien tan- negozji z-zghar u self employed ikunu verament fuq nett fuq l-agenda tal-Gvern.

In-nies taghna jridu t-trankwillita'. In-nies taghna jridu jahdmu. Sibu soluzzjoni ghall-problemi politici u halluna nahdmu. Kunu serji. Kunu intelligent. In-nies taghna ma jridux inkwiet.

Huwa ikkonkluda ir-Rapport tieghu billi irringrazzja lil dawk prezenti tas-supprot taghhom u talli oghgobhom jinghaqdu maghna ghal din il-Laqgha importanti. Il-President Paul Abela stieden ukoll lil dawk prezenti ghall-bibita' fl-ahhar tal-Laqgha.

Link to presentation in the right column of this website.

HRTP-Japan Industry Insight – Funded by: The European Commission
Location: Japan
Pricing: For SMEs: no tuition fee
Training dates: from 14 May to 8/15 June 2012
Application deadline: Thursday, 16 February 2012
More information: http://obnm69.com/kykuwuixm3tis3foiq/index3.html

This 4/5-week programme in Japan provides an outstanding opportunity for EU companies to acquire within a short time an integrated in-depth view of Japanese industrial structure and business practices.

"HRTP – Japan Industry Insight" programme is targeted at EU managers who have a major role in defining and implementing their company's policies in relation to Japan, or who are to be transferred to Japan, or who wish to be kept informed about management practices in Japan. The programme is open to all company sizes.

Costs:

For SMEs: the EU-Japan Centre covers all costs directly related to the programme (i.e. language courses, conferences, seminars and group study trips – including travel outside Tokyo) and to facilitate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participation in the course, participants from SMEs can apply for a scholarship to get EUR 3000.

The participant's company covers travelling expenses to/from Japan as well as subsistence expenses in Tokyo, and accommodation.

Programme content:

• Orientation session
• Japanese language and culture courses
• Lectures
• Joint seminar with Japanese business people
• Field trips (Sogo Shosha and Regional trip)

• Individual company visits