Malta Chamber of SMEs

Meet the Candidates for the 2023 Council Election

Posted on 28.03.202328.03.2023 by SME Chamber

An election will be held tomorrow following the Annual General Meeting. The election will elect 6 members to the Council.

Elections for 6 seats on the SME Chamber’s Council will take place during our Annual General Meeting on the 29^th March at 14.00 at the Notch Conference Centre.The below members have presented their candidature for election for the 6 seats on the SME Chamber Executive Council:

Emanuel is a very energetic person who is always positive. He has a lot of experience in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and he has been working in this field for the last 25 years. He has dedicated a lot of his time to the company, and he works very hard. The best thing about Emanuel is that he is very humble. He shares his knowledge with his co-workers without any hesitation, and he cares about the safety and wellbeing of all the employees in the company. He is a very disciplined person, and he has a fresh and positive attitude that helps him to solve problems.

Miriam Camilleri CMILT, a company service provider, is the Managing Director of MCConsult & Associates she founded in 2001. She has been involved in the transport industry for over forty years and chairs the Malta branch of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Miriam sits on the board of the Malta Maritime Forum and is a member of the Chamber of SMEs, the Malta Maritime Law Association, and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. She is the Honorary Consul for Georgia.

Sergio Camilleri owns a petrol station and a number of Self-Service launderettes across the Island.
He represents the fuel stations sector at the Malta Chamber of SMEs and is currently the Fuel Stations Committee President.
Mr Camilleri also operates in the Auto Parts, Auto Dealers, Car Rental & Leasing and Panel Beaters on the Council.

Daniel Coppini started his professional life over thirty years ago working for Deliotte, Methode (Malta) as well as Fenech & Fenech Advocates. These were followed by significant stints as Group General Manager for Marsovin and Group Marketing Manager for Paolo Bonnici Ltd.
Today Daniel is the Managing Partner of Recruit In Malta, one of Malta’s foremost temping agencies with a personnel count of over three hundred. A regular motivational and leadership speaker as well as a board consultant to many of Malta’s most established FMCG companies. An avid classic car and watch collector.

Dino Fino is both a man and a brand; a name synonymous with furniture retail in Malta.
He started his career in his well-known family business as a sales consultant when he was 17, and he loved the sector instantly. Dino worked in that business for over 20 years. Dino opened his own business 7 years ago, Dino Fino Home + Contract a member of the Dino Fino Group.
Dino is currently a council member at the Executive council of the Malta Chamber of SMEs.

Marthese possesses 29 years of experience in the retail industry as the co-founder of Sparkle Image. She is also an ACCA graduate and for the past 5 years, she has been an active council member of the Malta Chamber of SMEs.
She diligently involved herself in matters related to employment, tax, customs, EU regulations, pensions and Brexit. With her extensive experience and unwavering ethical standards in the field, she aims to provide an invaluable contribution to Malta Chamber of SMEs and its members.

Robert Micallef is a dynamic entrepreneur holding the position of Managing Director of a local business enterprise which also has a strong international dimension. Robert has occupied this position for the past 7 years and has consolidated the business operations and at the same time diversified the business activity through active engagement and networking.
In addition, Robert is also the Head of Institution of Avanza Training Academy, a newly established firm, branching out into the education market, a sector which Robert is so passionate about. Through this activity, Robert is continuously gaining invaluable skills related to the education and management fields, that also contributed to forming a sharp business acumen.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Active Lifestyle from the University of Malta, Robert has progressed to read for a Masters in Entrepreneurship.

Mantvydas Narusevicius, the founder of WFDM Ltd, has utilized his expertise in establishing and expanding prosperous enterprises.
He presently serves as the CEO of LSR GLOBAL MARKETING LTD; WFDM AUTO MOTO WORKS LTD; WFDM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD; WFDM RENTALS LTD; DHABA EVENTS & CATERING LTD; and REX FALCO LTD.
In addition to his ongoing ventures, Mantvydas offers his backing to other entrepreneurs by providing guidance and assistance in the advancement of their own enterprise.

International business mentor and non-executive director, with a specialisation in family businesses, Nadia supports individuals, company boards and businesses; by offering an outside-in perspective whilst encouraging them to assess their status quo, transform their operations and grow beyond their potential.

Claire Shoemake is a pharmacist and medicinal chemist by profession, having lectured in the undergraduate pharmacy course for more than 20 years. She has merged her academic skills with her entrepreneurial ones through the successful management of the Rabat Pharmacy Group.
Dr Shoemake was part of the team that launched the first public private partnership in Malta – namely the Pharmacy of Your Choice – which provides NHS services to Maltese patients. She currently represents the Chamber of SMEs on the Standing Advisory Committee that continues to oversee the continued evolution of this project.
Through her presence on the Chamber of SMEs council, she contributes to the evolution and safekeeping of the Community Pharmacy Sector in Malta.

Christian Vassallo is a director and shareholder of the Vassallo Group, one of Malta’s most renowned family business groups which started out as a development company but which later expanded into several sectors, including education, elderly care, catering, joinery, solar energy, hotels and the new Campus Hub outside University of Malta.
He is also heavily involved in autism activism as the director and founder of Hand in Hand, a therapy centre in Rabat that uses Evidence based therapy to help children on the spectrum reach their full potential.

You can vote for your 6 preferred candidates as follows:

29^th March following the AGM which starts at 14.00 at the Notch Conference Centre, Urban Valley, Kappara. Voting will close at 20.00 hrs
30^th March from 08.30 – 16.00 at the SME Chamber offices in Floriana (A reserved parking will be available in front of our offices during the voting period)
30^th March from 09.00 – 14.00 at the NGO Office, Xewkija, Gozo

If you have not yet registered to attend the AGM please do so here

Only paid-up members are eligible to vote.

The European Union Intellectual Property Office provides training to SME Chamber staff

Posted on 23.03.2023 by SME Chamber

Officials from the European Union Intellectual Property Office – EUIPO provided online training on intellectual property to representatives of the Malta Chamber of SSMEs and Business First.

The EUIPO is currently offering a scheme for SMEs to save up to €1,000 to protect trade marks and designs.

Why protecting your intellectual property is necessary

Protecting your IP is a must in the digital age. It is a legal way to avoid having your unique ideas, products, or services copied or used without permission. IP protection through the SME Fund can cover many different assets, including trade marks, designs, patents and plant varieties.

Who can benefit from the SME Fund

The SME Fund offers financial support to SMEs established in the European Union. The application can be submitted by an owner, an employee or an authorised external representative acting on their behalf. Grants are awarded to the SME and the reimbursement is always transferred directly to the SME bank account.

Click here for more information.

Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with SHE Malta organises a successful Women’s Day Event

Posted on 23.03.202323.03.2023 by SME Chamber

The Malta Chamber of SMEs in collaboration with She Malta organised an all women event on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

During this event, entitled ‘Cracking the code to success’ business women had the opportunity to discuss ‘business burnout & coping mechanisms’ and ‘innovation and technology for gender equality’.

The first panel, discussing ‘Business burnout & coping mechanisms’ was moderated by Ms Sarah Woods and included Ms Yasmin De Giorgio, CEO at Stanya & Shireburn Software, Ms Charlene Camilleri Duca, Clinical Psychologist, Gestalt Psychoterapist & Director at paths & Ms Justine Pergola, Owner & Business Development at Palazzo Parisio.

The second panel, moderated by SME Chamber CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo included the participation of Ms Shelley Brown, B2B Senior Sales Manager at EPIC, Ms Ruby Muscat, HR & Operations Director at Aspira Global, Ms Audrey Farrugia, IT Business Consultant & Certified Scrum Master and Ms Bettina Falzon, Co-Owner & COO at lovin Malta.

The SME Chamber and She Malta thanks their supporters: Epic Malta, Aspire Group, Fina, Tettiera, Palazzo Parisio, Mint Health, Powerhouse Ltd, V Squared, Magnum & Sanya Wellbeing.

Malta Chamber of SMEs welcomes the draft law for licencing of building, Insists on enforcement

Posted on 16.03.202316.03.2023 by SME Chamber

Speaking to ONE News Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo said that the SME Chamber welcomes the draft law for licencing of building contractors and stated that this is not the first time we’re discussing such law, Ms Agius Mamo insisted that standards of construction and works that touch upon construction needs to be increased in Malta and needs a greater level of seriousness.

It is critical now for the law to be implemented properly and come with an enforcement plan.

The SME Chamber will continue participating in the consultation process.

Malta Chamber of SMEs participates in a conference organised by NCPE

Posted on 16.03.202310.04.2023 by SME Chamber

Malta Chamber of SMEs Head of Policy Mr Andrew Aquilina participated during a conference organised by National Commission for the Promotion of Equality on the occasion of Women’s Day entitled ‘Strengthening equality, Where are we going?’

SME Chamber participates in a conference marking ‘Consumers’ Rights Day’

Posted on 15.03.202310.04.2023 by SME Chamber

On the occasion of Consumers’ Rights Day the MCCAA – Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority organised a half-day seminar entitled ‘Strengthening Consumers’ Rights in Today’s Dynamic Market’.

Head of Policy Mr Andrew Aquilina participated on a panel discussion, ‘Regulating online marketplaces: Exploring the impact of modernisation directive on cumsumers and businesses’.

SME Chamber meets ITS Training School

Posted on 11.03.202311.04.2023 by SME Chamber

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has met officials from the recently set up ITS Training School which aims to elevate skills in the tourism sector.

Accompanying the SME Chamber CEO Abigail Agius Mamo were representatives from the Licensed Private Education Providers. The SME Chamber said that it agreed with the aim to upskill and all resources must be utilised in the best possible manner to this end, including resources available in the Private Sector.

SME Chamber meets Minister Aaron Farrugia and presents proposals to tackle the traffic situation

Posted on 06.03.2023 by SME Chamber

During the last weeks the SME Chamber has been collating input from businesses and put together a set of proposals to tackle the traffic situation. Amongst which:

Govt to set the example for collective transport & teleworking
Reinstate Covid employer support for remote working
All encompassing hybrid transport APP Real time updates
Mobility wallets for users
Integration of traffic plans in road works and planning
Optimisation of parking in commercial centres
Incentives for businesses to operate off-peak
Extend hours of Freeport, Customs clearance, etc
Additional cargo dept points for Gozo
Waste collection after 19.00 hrs
Delivery hubs
More frequent, shorter routes by public transport

The SME Chamber is committed to work closely with Minister Aaron Farrugia, Foundation for Transport, Transport Malta, Tallinja to work into the details of the implementation measures.

The SME Chamber was represented by CEO Ms Abigail Agius Mamo, Deputy President Philip Fenech , Vice-Presidents Marcel Mizzi and Michael Galea and Council Members Sergio Camilleri, Robert Micallef & Mario Ciantar.

eInvoicing Webinar for ERP and Accounting packages suppliers

Posted on 02.03.202302.03.2023 by SME Chamber

ATTN: IT systems suppliers that supply ERPs or accounting packages

The Ministry for Finance and Employment and Pagero are organising webinar about the implementation of eInvoicing by the Government of Malta.

This initiative is in response to the European Directive on eInvoicing in Public Procurement (2014/55/EU) which requires all public sector organisations to have IT systems in place to be able to receive and process electronic invoices that comply with the European eInvoice Standard EN 16931.

Please join the scheduled webinar on Tuesday, 21 March at 0930hrs. This webinar is expected to have the duration of around one hour.

During this webinar you will learn:

• The Government’s approach to eInvoicing;

• What is an eInvoice;

• Basics of the Peppol 4-corner interoperability model;

• How Peppol is being implemented in Malta.

You are kindly asked to register for this webinar via the link https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5128497594766612832.

Moreover, more information on the Government’s policy on eInvoicing can be found on the Ministry’s web page at https://einvoicing.gov.mt/

Please feel free to forward this mail to anyone else within your organization who wishes to attend.

An election will be held tomorrow following the Annual General Meeting. The election will elect 6 members to the Council.

29th March following the AGM which starts at 14.00 at the Notch Conference Centre, Urban Valley, Kappara. Voting will close at 20.00 hrs

30th March from 08.30 – 16.00 at the SME Chamber offices in Floriana (A reserved parking will be available in front of our offices during the voting period)

30th March from 09.00 – 14.00 at the NGO Office, Xewkija, Gozo

Why protecting your intellectual property is necessary

Who can benefit from the SME Fund

ATTN: IT systems suppliers that supply ERPs or accounting packages

• The Government’s approach to eInvoicing;

• What is an eInvoice;

• Basics of the Peppol 4-corner interoperability model;

• How Peppol is being implemented in Malta.

29^th March following the AGM which starts at 14.00 at the Notch Conference Centre, Urban Valley, Kappara. Voting will close at 20.00 hrs

30^th March from 08.30 – 16.00 at the SME Chamber offices in Floriana (A reserved parking will be available in front of our offices during the voting period)

30^th March from 09.00 – 14.00 at the NGO Office, Xewkija, Gozo