Category: Articles

2023 is the European Year of Skills.  As part of this year’s plans, the Foundation for Transport is reaching out to business players to define the skills gaps in their respective sector to be able to work out solutions.

The solutions may be various and may include training or retraining but, definitely, private stakeholders need to be part of the solution. Moreover, high employee turnover and difficulties to recruit require matching of skills and occupational standards. The urge for a digital and green transition in the transport industry mandates a long term planning of resources.

This particular survey is aimed at companies whose main activity is transportation of cargo/goods and all sorts of logistics.  It can be accessed through the below link and will take only a few minutes to complete.

Click here for survey

The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with Business Doctors Malta organised a webinar on the challenge that most business owners face, that businesses are not free at all.
The webinar focused on helping business owners understand how they can remove themselves from day-to-day business operation, see how things look holistically, and to have more time of greater value.

 

Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes the appointment of Mr Jonathan Borg as new CEO of Transport Malta.

The SME Chamber is certain that the years of experience and expertise of Mr Borg will serve the Authority and Malta well.

As an organisation we are looking forward to start dealing with this person of great integrity on behalf of the many sectors that we represent.

Wishing Mr Borg well in his new role!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Then you won’t want to miss Flow 23 – The Digital Transformation Event! This exciting event is the perfect opportunity for you to learn about the latest trends and innovations in digital transformation, and discover how you can apply them to your business.

At Flow 23, you’ll have the chance to hear from industry experts and thought leaders who will share their insights and strategies for success. You’ll learn about the latest technologies, such as AI and automation, and how they can help you streamline your operations and improve efficiency. You’ll also have the chance to network with other business leaders and learn from their experiences.

But Flow 23 isn’t just about learning – it’s also about taking action. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops and sessions where you can work on real-world challenges and come up with solutions that you can implement in your business.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to take your business to the next level. Register for Flow 23 today and be part of the digital transformation revolution!

Click here to register

The SME Chamber today participated in the online conference jointly organised by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade. on the subject of Regional Integration and Value Chain Transition.

SME Chamber CEO emphasised on the need to shift from buzz-words and high level direction into an implementation plan and national and transnational partnerships. Sustainability and being more environmentally friendly is something we all agree with but we need to make sure that this is accessible to all in order to implementable by a large percentage of SMEs.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs participated in a very interesting discussion organised by Fondazzjoni Ideat on Strengthening the National Minimum Wage. SME Chamber CEO Abigail Agius Mamo emphasised that safeguarding our most vulnerable is a common concern on which social partners cooperate regularly and actively together, including the latest initiative by Hon. Andy Ellul of the Low Wage Commission.

Ms Agius Mamo said that the SME Chamber believed in targeted and focused action that understands the reason behind the vulnerability and provides assistance that will really make a difference.

At the same time this work must go hand in hand with increasing productive efficiency and competitiveness.

Sitting with SME Chamber CEO Abigail Agius Mamo on the panel were also Mr Josef Bugeja, Secretary General of the General Workers’ Union GWU, Mr Brendan Zerafa, Consultant with the Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul and Anthony Gatt Director at Caritas.

Thanks to Stanley Mifsud for his able moderation and Fondazzjoni IDEAT Chairperson Elaine Degiorgio for organising the activity.

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