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ESG skills refer to the abilities and knowledge required to effectively address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in business and investment decisions. These skills include an understanding of sustainability principles, environmental management, social impact assessment, stakeholder engagement, ethical business practices, and corporate governance.

ESG skills are important because they enable individuals and organizations to make informed decisions that integrate sustainability and social responsibility considerations into business and investment strategies. By possessing ESG skills, individuals can identify and mitigate risks related to climate change, social inequality, human rights abuses, and other ESG issues that can impact financial performance and reputation.

Furthermore, the demand for ESG skills is growing as investors and stakeholders increasingly prioritize sustainability and social responsibility considerations in their decision-making. Employers across various industries are also recognizing the importance of ESG skills and seeking professionals with these competencies to drive sustainable and responsible business practices.

ESG considerations are becoming increasingly important in the European economy, and are expected to play a major role in shaping its future. The European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which will require significant investment in sustainable technologies, infrastructure, and business practices.

ESG considerations are also becoming more integrated into investment decisions in Europe, with sustainable finance becoming a key focus area. The EU has developed a taxonomy that defines sustainable economic activities and aims to provide investors with clarity on which investments are truly sustainable. This taxonomy is expected to drive investment towards sustainable assets and away from environmentally harmful activities.

In addition, ESG considerations are increasingly being incorporated into corporate governance frameworks in Europe. Companies are expected to be transparent about their ESG risks and opportunities, and to engage with stakeholders to address these issues. This will likely lead to more accountability and responsible business practices, which will ultimately benefit the European economy and society as a whole.

Overall, ESG considerations are likely to play a critical role in shaping the future of the European economy, as they will drive sustainable investment and responsible business practices, which are essential for long-term economic growth and social well-being.

On the 9th of May, in celebration of Europe Day, Europe Direct CORE Platform will be organizing a panel discussion during which these themes will be discussed. Ms. Helga Ellul, President of CORE Platform, will open the event. The panel will consist of ESG experts and high profile business leaders and stakeholders, including Mark Bajada, Matthew Caruana, Matthew Spiteri, Gabriella Borda, Morgan Parnis and Joseph Micallef. Martins Zemeitis, European Semester Officer at the European Commission Representation Office in Malta, will close the event. ESG Expert and Europe Direct CORE Platform Manager Dr. Roberta Lepre will facilitate the discussion. The event is being held at Business Labs, Birkirkara. Drinks and finger food will follow. Participants are required to register by not later than the 5th May 2023.

Click here to register for the panel discussion

SME Chamber President Paul Abela attending MCESD – Malta Council for Economic and Social Development and reacting on the subject of Public Procurement.

Mr Abela emphasised on the need to be more transparent and ensure that the process is a healthy one. This includes greater visibility of direct orders.

MCESD was hosted for the first time by one of its social partners the General Workers’ Union. MCESD addressed two priority matters for the country with the help of expert research and analysis (1) the value expected to be extracted for Maltese citizens through Public Procurement and (2) the expected reshaping of National Skills to drive national economic ambitions.

The National Audit Office (NAO)‘s perspective on public procurement in Malta was presented to the social partners by the Auditor General, Mr. Charles Deguara who highlighted the significance of the steps that need to be taken to strengthen good governance in public procurement.  The Auditor General referred to the content of the two most recent NAO reports, titled: An evaluation of performance audits in the public sector: Common Audit Findings 2017–2020 and Report by the Auditor General on the Public Accounts 2021 (Dec 2021). Mr. Deguara’s main recommendations covered transparency, equal treatment, value for money, and control. He also addressed the citizens’ right to know what is being spent in the public sector.  The National Audit Office looks forward to extending the cooperation on many fronts within the MCESD.

The meeting then followed to hear and consider research, analysis and recommendations on Malta’s Public Procurement system. The discussion emphasised the significance of transparent and accountable public procurement in the interest of ethical business and the tax-paying citizens. During the meeting a number of strong and concrete reform recommendations were made, one of which was to strengthen the Department of Contracts with enough knowledgeable staff with skills that span drafting to post-award scrutiny with established KPIs.

The social partners made a number of observations and recommendations on this very important subject, including the significance of transparency, the importance of employees’ rights, and the aspiration that small enterprises should receive greater support and consideration.

The second part of the meeting focused on the actions to be taken to improve National Skills. The social partners were given a presentation by the director of the National Skills Council (NSC), Ms. Ruth Debrincat. During this presentation, the social partners were given information about the mission and vision of this new council to define and support the skills necessary to support Malta’s ambitions.  To achieve this, the social partners requested improved engagement and continuous communication, especially now that the NSC has become an executive council.  T

The Malta Chamber of SMEs held a consultation meeting with the CEO Mr. Jesmond Muscat, Enforcement Officer, Mr. Martin Farrugia, and the Policy and Strategy official, Mr. Antoine Bartolo, from the Building Construction Agency (BCA).

The meeting’s focus was the licensing within the construction industry and how to move toward the goal of starting the licensing process and elevating the quality of workers in the industry, with the ultimate aim of conducting business with higher standards and lower risk.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs will submit a paper including input and observations regarding the subject to the same authorities.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs held a very informative consultation meeting on the upcoming Digital Operational and Resilience ACT (DORA), a regulation which directly applies to Financial Entities such as Credit Institutions and Investment Firms amongst others.

Members operating within this sector are encouraged to get in touch with Malta Chamber of SMEs Head of Policy Mr Andrew Aquilina by email on "> in order to understand better how the SME Chamber can assist them in implementing this Regulation.

On the occasion of international Women’s Day, the SME Chamber employees celebrated this special occasion.

Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo thanked all women employees, Claire Sinagra, Diane Scerri Gauci, Liz Said Curmi, Bernice Sammut, Nathalie Attard & Rita Spiteri.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs held its 74th Annual General Meeting.

The AGM was held at The Notch Conference Centre, San Gwann and all members of the SME Chamber were invited.

During the opening address at the 74th Annual General Meeting, SME Chamber President Mr Paul Abela marked the achievements by the SME Chamber throughout 2022, such as events, lobbying abd high-level meetings.

Following Mr Abela’s address, Vice-President Mr Marcel Mizzi read and approved the minutes for the 2021 Annual General Meeting.

Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo presented the annual report and highlighted the main points.

During the AGM amendments to the SME Chamber statutes were approved, followed by the auditors’ report and appointment of auditors.

Following the Annual General Meeting, an election was held to elect 6 members to the council. During this election Dr Claire Shoemake, Ms Marthese Micallef, Mr Sergio Camilleri, Mr Robert Micallef, Mr Dino Fino and Mr Chris Micallef.

 

 

The Regulator for Energy and Water Services on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise will be receiving bids for the award of financial support for electricity generated from new Renewable Sources of Energy Installations with a capacity from 40kWp up to less than 1000kWp as from 5th April 2023 noon and until the 13th April 2023 noon.

The invitation to bid documents have been published in the REWS website under the following link:

https://www.rews.org.mt/#/en/tender/538-invitation-to-bid-itb-for-the-award-of-financial-support-for-electricity-from-renewable-sources-of

https://www.rews.org.mt/#/en/tender/540-invitation-to-bid-itb-for-the-award-of-financial-support-for-electricity-from-renewable-sources-of

It is to be noted that rectification shall not be permitted only in respect of the Capacity and Financial Bid Form-FORM 2 (15.1.2).

For more details about this scheme and its four upcoming invitation-to-bid calls visit the Regulator for Energy and Water Services website at: www.rews.org.mt. Prospective applicants may also contact the Regulator via email on "> or by phone on 2295 5000.

Bids shall be submitted only by email to and bidders are to follow the instructions in the Invitation to Bid (ITB) document. The email shall be used solely for the submission of bids and any other correspondence related to this ITB shall be sent by email to ">.

Following last week’s annual general meeting the SME Chamber’s Council has met today in order to elect the President and its officials. Paul Abela has once again been elected as President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs.

Paul Abela thanked the Council Members for their trust in electing him to serve as President. He also thanked Ms Abigail Mamo as CEO and her team to their dedication to the work of the Chamber. He said looks forward to another year at the service of members.

The members holding a seat on Council are:

Paul Abela	President
Philip Fenech	Deputy President
Marcel Mizzi	Officer – Finance and Administration
Beppe Muscat	Council Member
Claire Shoemake	Council Member
Chris Vassallo	Council Member
Carmel Zammit	Council Member
Dino Fino	Council Member
Joan Haber	Council Member
Joseph Zerafa	Council Member
Mario Ciantar	Council Member
Mario DeBono	Council Member
Marthese Micallef	Council Member
Michael Galea	Council Member
Noel Gauci	Council Member
Patrick Cutajar	Council Member
Robert Micallef	Council Member
Sergio Camilleri	Council Member