MBB Annual Report 2008

Malta Business BureauAnnual Report 2008

Page 1

Annual Report 2008


Page 3

1. Introduction 7

2. Interest representation 9

2.1 The Valletta Office 9

2.2 The Brussels Office 10

3. Informing: EU legislative and policy developments 12

4. Communication 16

4.1 MBB Newsletter: MBB NEWS Ticker 19

5. Project management 21

5.1 Success stories project 21

5.2 Mentoring project 23

5.3 Energy Europe project ’CHANGE’ 24

6. Events calendar 2008 25

January 26

February 27

March 27

June 28

September 28

October 28

November 30

December 31

7. Outlook for 2009 32

Contents

Malta Business BureauAnnual Report 2008Page 4

Foreword


Page 5

It is with great pleasure that I present the 2008 annual report of

the Malta Business Bureau (MBB). This is the first time that we

are presenting a formal annual report setting out the various

activities undertaken by the MBB. We felt this was important,

not only to formally record the events and activities that have

taken place during the year, but also to bring the Malta Business

Bureau closer to its members.

The Malta Business Bureau was specifically set up to represent

at a European level the business interests of the members of

the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, the Malta

Federation of Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants

Association. This means taking an active participative role in

the various pan-European business organisations as well as

establishing a relationship with other similar organisations

representing the various EU Member States. Of course putting

forward the views of the Malta business community to the

European Commission, the European Parliament and the

European Council is and will always remain our top priority.

2008 has also seen the MBB and the EU Permanent

Representation in Malta joining forces to encourage Maltese

businesses to take advantage of the EU Single Market. The

opportunity to fully participate in this huge market of over

400 million people is in our view the greatest advantage of EU

membership. Through a project titled ’Business Success Stories’

we have sought to bring to the fore the numerous businesses

that are already participating successfully in the Single Market

whilst at the same time establishing the critical success factors

required. This project will be brought to an end in early 2009.

The tail end of 2008 has also brought with it the beginning of

the financial crisis. This is a crisis of unprecedented magnitude

which will fundamentally change the way we conduct our

business. The biggest threat over the next 12 months will be

the loss of otherwise valid assets and the accompanying loss

of jobs. If the MBB is to be of relevance to its members it is

clear that all its efforts over the coming months will need to be

focused towards providing value added services that will assist

the Maltese business community through the coming difficult

months and to an eventual economic recovery.

Stefano MalliaPresident

Malta Business Bureau



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The Malta Business Bureau (MBB) is the joint EU affairs office of

the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and

the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA). It was

founded in October 1996 as the European office of the Malta

Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise (COCE) and the Malta

Federation of Industry (FOI). These two organisations felt the

need to cooperate at an international and European level, given

Malta’s gradual integration process in the European Union.

In May 2004, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association

joined the COCE and the FOI in this initiative and became

one of MBB’s parent organisations. In 2008 an agreement was

reached between COCE and FOI to merge and create the Malta

Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, which came

into effect in January 2009.

The MBB is composed of two offices, the head office in Valletta,

Malta, and a representation office in Brussels, Belgium. The

human resource complement of the parent organisations’

secretariats is at times called upon for MBB-led initiatives. The

Bureau provides information about EU regulations and helps

organisations to take positions regarding various aspects of

EU matters. Moreover, the MBB Brussels office, as a result of its

proximity to the centre of influence, has proven to be crucial in

this respect.

The MBB is run by the Malta Business Foundation Board of

Trustees (MBF) which is composed of senior officials of the

parent organisations. The MBF meets on a regular basis, usually

every three to four weeks, to monitor developments as well as

to provide strategic direction to the MBB. Over the years, the

synergies achieved between the parent organisations through

this initiative have been remarkable. Of particular mention is

the realisation that the Maltese business community requires a

direct channel to the various EU institutions to be able to influ-

ence, adapt to and be aware of wide-ranging policies as well as

new policy proposals being developed by the European Union.

Through the MBB, the parent organisations intensify their

information service to members, as well as conduct interest

representation activities with European organisations that

represent business, industry and employers in Brussels, and

with the European Commission, European Parliament and

other (pan-) European institutions. By forming alliances at all EU

levels, associations benefit as they can have an influence on the

drafting of EU legislation. This would ultimately have an impact

on the level of competitiveness in the Maltese economy.

The MBB also promotes the interaction of Maltese business

and EU personnel. It acts as an intermediate body between

the members or the associations and EU executives and

officials, in order to channel the questions or demands of the

local entrepreneurs to the responsible persons at EU level,

and, if necessary, organise face-to-face meetings. Additionally

MBB organises specific briefings, seminars and information

campaigns on issues of topical interest for the local

business community.

The Brussels office is crucial as an early warning system

when issues discussed at EU level have direct impact on

the local commercial sectors. The staff of the Brussels’ office

holds regular meetings with various stakeholders from EU

institutions, European business representation organisations

– including Eurochambres, BUSINESSEUROPE, and HOTREC,

of which the Chamber, the FOI and the MHRA respectively

are active members – as well as other Brussels’-based

organisations. The Valletta office filters the information and

its role is crucial in keeping close relations with the local

business community, government entities and other local

stakeholders, as well as in translating this information for

the local entrepreneurs.

The MBB organises seminars, issues position papers, undertakes

projects, publishes articles in the media and regularly issues the

’MBB NEWS Ticker’, a newsletter covering subjects discussed at

EU level that are of vital importance to the local entrepreneurs.

Apart from the day-to-day management of both offices, the

MBB staff keeps itself up-to-date with important EU-related

information, regularly updating its database on various EU

policies and topics.

This yearly report has been drafted to give an overview to

the general public of MBB’s activities throughout 2008 and to

highlight key issues related to the local business community.

The Bureau looks back on 2008 as a very hectic but rewarding

year. It has assisted its parent organisations and the Maltese

business community on key issues related to the European

Union which have been of interest and/or have had a direct

impact on the Maltese business sector. Additionally it has

continued its organisational development and started with

implementing its new strategy and action plan launched in

2007. 2008 was characterised by a more efficient track record

of services and the MBB aims to continuously provide the

business membership of the parent associations greater

value-added and concrete tailor-made services.

1. Introduction

Participants of the MBB/BOV waste seminar, January 2008



Page 9

The Valletta office is the Headquarters of MBB operations. Its

location within the Exchange Buildings, which houses the Malta

Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, as well as its

proximity to the governmental offices and political decision

makers, and other national and international organisations that

are located in the capital city of Malta, are regarded as value-

added in terms of its operations. The Valletta office houses the

office of the MBB Chief Executive Officer, who implements the

strategy established by the Malta Business Foundation, and

gives direction to the staff of both offices.

The Valletta office has continued to be in constant contact

with the constituted bodies, their sectoral groups, the various

Ministries, governmental agencies, the European Parliament

Information Office in Malta, the European Commission Repre-

sentation, as well as other local organisations and stakeholders.

MBB held regular meetings with the Councils, Director Generals

and staff of the three parent organisations, as well as with their

sectoral groups and individual members, in order to represent

their interests, address their issues and provide a tailor-made

service, in the best way possible. MBB’s strategic direction is

in the hands of the Malta Business Foundation, composed

of senior officials of the parent organisations. MBB staff has

attended these meetings to provide its input and discuss

the way forward.

MBB has maintained close contact with the representatives

of the European Commission and the European Parliament

in Malta. Among other initiatives, a joint project with the Euro-

pean Commission Representation on Maltese business success

stories has been the fruit of this cooperation. The excellent

relationship with these offices has enhanced the opportunities

and possibilities of obtaining information from the European

institutions as well as the accessibility of a wide range of

contacts at various EU levels.

MBB has also created an excellent cooperation base with

governmental agencies. Various information seminars have

been organised, among others, in collaboration with the Malta

Standards Authority, MEUSAC (previously known as Forum

Malta fl-Ewropa), MEPA and Malta Enterprise, on a variety of

topics related to the EU and business. Other events have been

organised in collaboration with the local commercial sector,

most notably the joint national seminar of the MBB and the

Bank of Valletta, on waste management, in January 2008.

The excellent relationship with ministries has permitted that,

apart from co-sponsoring some MBB initiatives, various govern-

ment specialists have participated at MBB events, as speakers,

panel members or participants, and have provided useful inside

information on developments regarding local policies of

importance to the member base of the parent organisations. An

overview of MBB events organised in 2008, including the topics

and the speakers involved, is provided from page 25 onwards.

2. Interest representation

2.1 The Valletta Office

The Malta Business Bureau represents EU-related interests of the

Maltese commercial sector at all levels and within the most important

fora, both in Malta and in Brussels, the centre of the European decision-

making process. In this regard, the MBB manages two offices, the main

office in Valletta and an office in Brussels.

Mr Pedro Fernandez Alvarez, from the MBB Valletta office,

addressing an MHRA/MTA/BOV conference, November 2008


In 2008 the MBB maintained and reinforced its close

links at EU and national levels in order to represent the

interests of the three parent organisations and the Mal-

tese business community. At the EU level, close ties have

been retained with the European institutions, the Mal-

tese Permanent Representation to the EU, Maltese MEPs

and Eurochambres, BUSINESSEUROPE and HOTREC, of

which the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise,

the Malta Federation of Industry and the Malta Hotels

and Restaurants Association respectively have been

active members in 2008. The MBB Brussels office acts as

the permanent liaison on behalf of the parent organi-

sations within these pan-European associations. MBB

Brussels office staff attends the permanent delegates’

meetings held twice monthly at BUSINESSEUROPE and

once a month at Eurochambres, during which an infor-

mation exchange on new legislative initiatives and on

the lobbying action that should be taken is undertaken

between the different representatives of national busi-

ness organisations accredited to BUSINESSEUROPE and

Eurochambres.

EUROCHAMBRES

Eurochambres’ work agenda throughout 2008 was

mainly focused on championing the specific needs of

small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – as the core

members of the national Chambers constituting the

pan-European association in the context of DG Enter-

prise’s work on the formulation of the European Private

Company Statute and the wide-ranging proposals deal-

ing with the Small Business Act.

Raising the awareness of the specific realities of small

business was also the objective underpinning the

organisation of the first ’European Parliament for En-

terprises’ which was organised by Eurochambres at the

European Parliament premises in Brussels in October

2008. Business people from all EU member states and

accession countries, including a representative from the

Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise attended a

plenary mock session of the European Parliament where

they voted on three different resolutions dealing with

international trade, the impact of the financial crisis and

the demographic shifts affecting productive employ-

ment in the European Union.

Eurochambres has also won a number of project bids

with the Commission services ranging from the CHANGE

project dealing with energy audits for small firms to

ERASMUS for Young Entrepreneurs – a new exchange

programme for young entrepreneurs – and the ‘Under-

standing China’ project aimed to enhance European

companies’ awareness and understanding of the export

opportunities and the general market set-up in the fast-

growing Chinese economy.

Eurochambres held its annual General Assembly meet-

ing thanks to the hosting Chamber (the Paris-Ile-de-

France Chamber of Commerce) in the French capital

thus closely coinciding with the start of the French EU

Presidency in July 2008.

BUSINESSEUROPE

On the occasion of BUSINESSEUROPE’s 50th anniversary,

the umbrella organisation of European employers’

federations, the organisation stepped up a gear on its

policy lobbying work vis-à-vis EU institutions on the

importance of safeguarding the competitiveness of

European firms across different policy fields. This prin-

ciple consideration infused the various position papers

adopted over the past year by BUSINESSEUROPE which

were actively communicated with the Commission ser-

vices, the European Parliament and other institutional

interlocutors in Brussels. The corporate changeover from

UNICE to BUSINESSEUROPE was completed over the

past year with the adoption of a series of policy mission

statements based on a six-point priority agenda:

growth and jobs

-

tional protectionism in the light of the financial crisis

policy backed by the financial means to achieve

these ambitious targets

2.2 The Brussels Office

Mr Omar Cutajar, MBB Senior Executive, based at the Brussels Office.


Page 11

systems in the light of increasing global economic

shifts in industrial production and location of

industry.

BUSINESSEUROPE took the lobbying lead on a number

of business-related issues including various sensitive is-

sues in the social and employment policy field, of direct

relevance to Maltese business interests.

BUSINESSEUROPE closely followed the unfolding

legislative process on the revision of the Temporary

Agency Workers and the Working Time Directives, whilst

it also took up other equally important matters, such

as the proposed directive on sanctions to employers

employing illegally-staying third country nationals, and

the recent Commission proposal on a wide-ranging

anti-discrimination directive. Beyond social affairs,

BUSINESSEUROPE started an internal process of debate

this policy discussion at member state level through the

affiliated national federations. On a strategic level, BUSI-

NESSEUROPE intends to link the need of a reinvigorated

changeover that will eventually be ushered in 2009 with

the inception of a new College of Commissioners and a

new European Parliament.

BUSINESSEUROPE held two Council of Presidents’ meet-

Paris held in December.

HOTREC

HOTREC’s European work agenda throughout 2008 was

mainly an issue-driven one. Although tourism is not a

fully-fledged community policy area, there are a number

of different European legislative and regulatory aspects

that affect the hospitality industry as a result of develop-

ments in other policy matters, particularly in employ-

ment policies, health and safety issues, food labelling

and last but not least several standardisation processes

(or initial attempts at standardisation) at both EU and

ISO-levels. Most of these issues that were being followed

by HOTREC were already in an advanced stage of politi-

cal development in 2008 as most initiatives concerning

the European hospitality industry hailing from the Com-

mission were started earlier in the 2004-2009 legislature.

On a positive note, HOTREC managed to influence the

outcome of two important community legislative devel-

opments, successfully safeguarding the interests of the

hoteliers and restaurateurs of its member organisations.

On the review of the Timeshare Directive (94/47/EC), HO-

TREC managed to clarify the potential misunderstanding

that could have cropped up regarding the legal nature of

a hotel reservation which became evident in all the pre-

vailing debates within all three institutions (Commission,

Council and European Parliament). In this regard, a new

recital was successfully introduced as a result of HOTREC’s

communication with the rapporteur on the revision of the

Timeshare Directive and approved in the October 2008

plenary sitting of the EP, to the effect that the definition of

timeshare does not include in its scope multiple reserva-

tions of accommodation as carried out by travel agents.

The proposal drawn up by the European Parliament

regarding the exemption from the application of HACCP

procedures is another positive development. This applied

not only to micro-enterprises but to all business catego-

ries falling under the SME definition which includes food

business operators – as long as the competent authori-

ties decree no health hazards on the basis of the regular

hazard analysis already addressed by the regulatory ob-

ligations emanating from specific food hygiene require-

ments. The amendment of Regulation 852/2004 with

the intent of exempting micro businesses from the full

application of procedures based on HACCP principles is

an evolving legislative matter with the discussions at the

Council probably re-starting later on in 2009. The Malta

Business Bureau will be monitoring future developments

and informing MHRA members accordingly.

An important initiative of HOTREC that commenced

in the latter half of 2008 is the setting up of a working

group, with the aim of drafting a self-regulatory charter

on fire safety in hotels. This is a result of the Commis-

sion’s pressure on the European hospitality industry to

take action to improve the level of fire safety in hotels,

following several deadly accidents in the UK which were

also flagged in the European Parliament. Work on the

final draft of the Charter for fire-safe hotels in Europe is

at an advanced stage.

HOTREC held two General Assembly meetings in 2008,

one in Paris between the 10th and 11th April and the

other session was held in Prague between the 6th and

8th November.

OTHER CONTACTS

The MBB Brussels office also maintained close contact

with the Maltese MEPs. Specifically, the Brussels office

had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Simon

Busuttil’s office on two business-related issues during

2008 – the proposed directive on sanctions to employ-

ers employing illegally-staying third-country nationals,

and the Business Directory scams. On the latter issue,

contacts were arranged between MEP Busuttil and

Eurochambres in order to formulate a short question-

naire on the incidence of fraud in business directories’

subscription systems reported to the national Chambers

of Commerce in the different member states.

The MBB Brussels office maintained a regular exchange

of information through ad hoc meetings with the at-

tachés at the Maltese Permanent Representation to the

EU, covering business-related dossiers such as com-

petitiveness, regional policy and social affairs. Courtesy

visits were also organised to Maltese Commissioner Joe

Borg’s office whenever a Maltese business group was on

an official visit in Brussels, and requested a courtesy call

with the Maltese Commissioner in charge of fisheries

and maritime affairs.


3. Informing: EU legislative and policy developments


Page 13


MBB closely monitored the respective priorities of the

Slovenian and French EU Presidencies. These included

several important issues for the Maltese business

experience, such as the publication of the Small

Business Act within the context of the review of the

SME policy being undertaken by DG Enterprise, and

the Council common agreements on the Working Time

and Temporary Agency Work Directives. On access to

finance, a regular update on the new EIB’s micro-finance

initiatives has also been provided, dealing particularly

with the JEREMIE and the newly-announced JASMINE

programmes.

During 2008 the EU has continued to strongly

emphasise the key role that SMEs play for growth

The EU has strived to improve SMEs’ operating

conditions and facilitate their access to relevant

Community programmes such as the 7th Research

Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness

and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). MBB has

informed the business community on these and

various other Community programmes accordingly.


Page 15

Protecting the environment and fighting the impact

of climate change have been two other top priorities

for the EU. Discussions at EU level have been held

regarding the conservation of natural resources and

using resources more efficiently by taking into account

environmental aspects in all relevant policies, and not

least enterprise, industry and tourism policies. The MBB

has regularly updated the members on the implications

of these initiatives, particularly in terms of the added

costs that environmental-related legislation can procure,

and the inevitable impact due to carbon leakage on

the general competitiveness of industry and commerce

within the internal market.

The integrated energy and climate change package

remained a major focus of the MBB’s information-related

work with regular monitoring and update reports on the

conclusions of the various Energy Council meetings held

throughout the year.


4. Communication


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Page 19

In 2008 the MBB has kept the three parent organisations,

their sectoral groupings and the general membership

informed on different aspects of relevance to Maltese

enterprise through several information briefs and

policy papers. Briefing notes dealing with the renewed

Social Agenda, the Better Regulation Simplification

Programme and the European Ports Policy, among

others, were drafted and circulated among members.

At a more specific level, regular updates were issued

on the revision of the Toy Safety Directive, the

Communication on Greening Public Procurement

and the implementation of the REACH and Services

Directive. A position paper on the latest attempt to

review the Working Time Directive, following the

Council common agreement reached in June 2008

and the start of the second reading on the revision of

the Directive in the European Parliament was drafted.

The MBB issued its newsletter – the MBB News Ticker –

on a regular basis, informing the business community

on how discussions and decisions taken in Brussels

affect the business environment in Malta. For an

overview of the 2008 editions of the Ticker refer to

Chapter 4.1 below.

In addition, the MBB regularly published articles in

various media, among others the magazines of the

parent organisations. Moreover, MBB staff made several

interventions relating to MBB’s efforts and to EU/business

related issues, in conferences, seminars and the media.

In 2008, a number of well attended information

seminars were organised. Topics discussed were various

and these included an MBB national seminar on waste

management, a training workshop on environmental

compliance for SMEs, a national conference on the new

EU maritime policy and various information meetings

on new EU legislation on food labelling, cosmetics and

eco-design. For more information on the MBB 2008

events refer to page 25 onwards.

4.1 MBB Newsletter: MBB NEWS Ticker

The MBB issued four newsletters in 2008. The new

format introduced in 2007 has been very much

welcomed by readers and described as more reader-

friendly and better tuned to the interests of the target

audience.

In the first edition of 2008 the main theme was EU

funding. Information on how to write proposals was

given, along with various tips and tricks, several calls

for proposals were highlighted, EU funding websites

were discussed, and project partner searches were put

forward. Available funding under the Competitiveness

Additionally, in this first newsletter MBB reported on the

MBB/BOV seminar on waste management, which was

held on the 30th January, as well as on developments

with regard to the Small Business Act (SBA), the Single

European Payments Area (SEPA), the Services Directive

and on the discussion on food labelling in restaurants.

In the second edition of the Ticker, MBB strived to assess

Malta’s economic performance in 2007 by looking at

the figures and analyses in different international and

European economic reports from that year. In order

to avoid presenting a skewed view, MBB took as many

reports as possible into account. Most reports indicate


that Malta made constant progress, however slowly and

with a starting point being far behind that of most other

EU member states.

MBB analysed, among others, reports on Malta’s

implementation of its National Reform Programme,

the Global Competitiveness Report 2007-2008, the

2007 European Innovation Scoreboard, the European

Economic Forecast 2007, the European Reform

Barometer and the International Tourist Mobility 2007

report. Additionally MBB undertook a benchmarking

exercise in this newsletter; comparing Malta vis-à-vis

Cyprus and Estonia).

In the third newsletter, MBB focused on what it

considered to be three major EU developments which

have been of direct concern to the business community:

the then newly proposed Action Package Sustainable

Consumption, Production and Industry; the projected

Small Business Act; and the developments with regard

to the Single Euro Payments Area.

Additionally MBB provided highlights about the

French Council Presidency Programme, as well as on

the Commission’s Communication on Green Public

Procurement and the Commission Proposal on reduced

restaurants and catering services. Finally MBB provided

a ’Flexicurity’ Update, focusing on the agreement of

Member States on working time and temporary agency

workers.

In the last issue of the Ticker for 2008, MBB reported

about the Czech Republic taking over the EU Presidency

under the motto: ’Europe without barriers’ in 2009 and

its priorities of enhancing the internal market and the

liberalisation of trade policy. This issue also discussed

the Commission proposal on the ’work life balance

package’, which largely deals with maternity leave,

and which will be tabled in the form of two legislative

proposals, to be discussed by the European Parliament

and the Council in 2009.

MBB also reported on the status of the discussion on fire

safety in tourism accommodations, which is an issue of

concern within the hospitality industry. Other articles

focused on the Success Stories Project visit to Brussels;

multilingualism for enhanced business opportunities;

Euro-Mediterranean industrial cooperation; and the

adoption of the Small Business Act.

All (past) MBB NEWS Ticker editions are freely available

from the MBB website: www.mbb.org.mt or by

contacting the MBB at [email protected].


Page 21

MBB took up the project management and coordination role of

a number of EU related projects. These projects are ongoing and

include, among others, a project highlighting Maltese business

success stories and another aimed at providing business mentoring

for new entrepreneurs.

5. Project management

5.1 Success Stories ProjectThe Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, the

Malta Federation of Industry and the Malta Hotels and

Restaurants Association – represented by the Malta

Business Bureau – embarked on a project entitled

‘Success Stories Project’ in September 2007, together

with the European Commission Representation in Malta.

The main components of the project ran throughout

2008 and were concluded in March 2009.

The objective of the project was to identify a number of

Maltese businesses that have made a success of Malta’s

membership in the European Union to the benefit of

their organisation. The project gave visibility to these

success stories and brought out a number of good

practices that have worked in the Maltese scenario.

The ultimate aims were:

been successful;

seek to emulate successes achieved by others with

the help of Malta’s EU membership.

5.1.1 PROJECT METHODOLOGY

A sample of 30 business success stories were selected

through consultation with the partner constituted

bodies. An interview-based survey was undertaken with

these firms by the project leader. The survey involved

two aspects:

1. A questionnaire-based approach – developed by

MBB – covering, among other subjects, business

demographics; statistics on sales, marketing and R&D,

customers, employees and products; description of

markets and products; competitiveness analysis and

key success factors; opportunities and threats of EU

membership and strategies adopted in relation to

them; and

PROJECT TIMELINEPreparatory work: September 2007 – January 2008Visits to participants: February – June 2008

NETWORKING:5 business breakfasts: 27 March 2008 4 September 2008 27 October 2008 9 December 2008 16 February 2009

Visit Brussels: 19-21 November 2008

VISIBILITY CAMPAIGN: Production: July – September 2008

Publication/broadcasting: October – December 2008

Closing conference: 27 March 2009

2. An unstructured discussion regarding the topics

of interest to the project, undertaken by the

project manager and a delegate of the European

Commission Representation in Malta while visiting

the business premises of the participants.


The project consisted of the following activities:

Networking – a series of breakfast meetings was

organised for the participating firms in order to promote

networking and to elicit further information, as well as

a familiarisation visit to the European Commission. The

project culminated in a national conference in March 2009.

Visibility – the results of the project were collated

to enable an effective dissemination of information

and knowledge. This activity included a three-month

marketing campaign – articles, features, adverts and

audiovisual slots – and the publication, in various media,

of a study identifying best practices for the benefit of

various strata of business and public decision-makers.

Following the extensive research carried out by the

MBB and the European Commission, it transpired

that a number of key concepts were recurrent in

those cases where the business in question had

progressed and achieved further success following

EU membership (not necessarily due to EU assistance

and/or funding). The key elements that emerged were,

among others: competitiveness, networking, learning,

investing, Research and Development, communication,

innovation, quality, leadership and planning. On the

basis of this research, three audiovisual spots were

created and aired, various features on national TV

programmes were produced, presentations at various

seminars and conferences were made, and various

articles in the local printed media, including a 16 page

supplement in the principal Maltese newspaper were

featured. The 3-month campaign ran from October 2008

till December 2008.

Participants of the Success Stories Project, at one of the Business

Breakfast meetings

The participants during their visit to Brussels

Photo of the Success Stories Project participants, used in the

media campaign

5.1.2 MEDIA CAMPAIGN

As a core part of the visibility component of the

project the main aim of the media campaign was to

identify a number of business success stories whose

success is a direct or indirect result of Malta’s accession

to the EU, and to raise awareness on how Maltese

businesses have made and can make a success of their

respective business ventures by making the most of

the opportunities that are presented, despite the many

challenges and hurdles that may have to be overcome

along the way.

5.1.3 FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO THE EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

Part of the networking element of the project was

a familiarisation visit to the European Commission

in Brussels. The aim of the visit was to provide a

platform whereby the participants were able to meet

and network with Commission officials. This gave

participants the opportunity to discuss their day-to-day

issues with the Commission, and to put forward the

challenges that are being faced by Maltese businesses.

Prior to the familiarisation visit to the European

Commission a consultation meeting with the

participants was held to discuss the EU related matters

that affect them directly in their business affairs.


Page 23

Business transfer is the third crucial phase in a business

life cycle after its creation and growth. However, it

is a long process that needs sound preparation and

unfortunately many business transfers fail due to a lack

of business know-how of their successors.

‘A Helping Hand for SMEs – Mentoring Business Transfer’

is an EU-funded project which started in 2007 and ran

throughout 2008, with the objective of assisting in kind

entrepreneurs that (partly) take over a micro, small or

medium-sized enterprise. This project was developed

and is coordinated by Eurochambres, the Association

of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry of

which the Malta Chamber is an active member. This

project involved 18 countries, 36 European Chambers

of Commerce and Industry, and the University of Savoie,

France. Through this project about 1000 entrepreneurs

have been coached EU-wide, by the time of its

conclusion in March 2009.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise is

one of the partners in this project, and entrusted the

MBB with the project management on its behalf. The

Chamber commissioned a professional mentor to assist

five local entrepreneurs who have taken over (part of )

an established company of less than 50 employees.

These entrepreneurs received 10 days of mentoring,

free of charge.

The Malta Business Bureau identified and selected

the mentor, promoted the project and its availability

for the business community, identified and recruited

the entrepreneurs, coordinated the mentoring service

and was responsible for the reporting and ongoing

quality control.

5.2 Mentoring project

Launch of the mentoring project

This consultation and the feedback received in the

interviews with the participants in the first stage of the

project culminated in a document that was drafted by

the project manager, and handed to the Commissioners

and Commission staff whom the group met during

their visit. Among other officials, the group met with

Commissioner McCreevy, Commissioner Borg and

the Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Verheugen, to

exchange views.

The participants took the opportunity to address the

European Commission directly and to put forward their

sectoral, regional and national concerns in terms of

doing business in Europe.

5.1.4 BEST PRACTICES GUIDE

To contribute to the visibility component of the project,

a report was drafted to present the success stories

in a coherent and structured manner, and to detail

the implications for business and public decision-

makers. This report has been presented at the closing

conference held in March 2009. Issues covered in the

main report are:

membership for Maltese Business – brief review of

the Maltese business situation prior and post EU

membership, identifying the potential key challenges

and opportunities engendered by EU membership

membership – presenting the results of the interview

approach

– the basic hypothesis of this section is the fact that

EU membership opened a plethora of opportunities

but also potential threats. Sound decision-making

at various levels is key to the creation of success,

with clear examples derived from the interviews

conducted in this project. Implications are presented

separately for business, Government and EU-level

decision-makers.


5.3 Energy Europe project ’CHANGE’The MBB has coordinated the Malta Chamber

of Commerce and Enterprise’s participation in a

Eurochambres-coordinated bid for an Intelligent Energy

Europe project entitled ’CHANGE’. This project has been

successfully approved for co-financing by the Executive

Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI)

which manages the IEE programme on behalf of the

European Commission.

The CHANGE project will provide members of the

Chamber with energy audit training opportunities

aimed to instruct business owners and managers on

how to better harness energy efficient practices at their

work places, consequently obtaining reductions on their

monthly utility bills. This project will be complementing

and supporting Government initiatives on ERDF-

financed energy grant schemes.


Page 25

JANUARY

16.01: New Year Reception Brussels

30.01: MBB/BOV Waste Seminar

FEBRUARY

22.02: MBB NEWS Ticker issue 1/2008

28.02: MBB/ME ECAP seminar

MARCH

04.03: Cosmetics information meeting

26.03: Food labelling information meeting

JUNE


23.06: Hosting visit from the Nottingham and Derby Chamber of Commerce

AUGUST


SEPTEMBER

04.09: Success Stories Project Business Breakfast ‘Sustainable Development’

OCTOBER

07.10: ‘Regions making the MOST of our Seas: Maritime Opportunities

within Safety and Transport’

14.10: ‘European Parliament for Enterprises’

27.10: Success Stories Project Business Breakfast ‘Better Regulation’

30.10: Maritime conference

NOVEMBER

05.11: MBB/MEUSAC/MSA Eco-design information meeting

19.11-21.11: Success Stories Project visit to Brussels

25.11: MBB/MEUSAC/MSA Construction products information meeting

DECEMBER

09.12: Success Stories Project Business Breakfast ‘Best Practices Evaluation’


6. Events calendar 2008


January

16.01: Malta Business Bureau Reception in Brussels

backdrop for a New Year’s reception last 16 January,

organised by the Malta Business Bureau. The MBB

invited its Brussels-based contacts to exchange New

Year’s best wishes and to discuss business and EU

related matters in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

Numerous Maltese people who work in Brussels and

are in close contact with the MBB attended the event.

Events like this are aimed at creating greater cohesion

between the local business community and the

Brussels-based institutions and organisations.

Among the prominent guests from the business sector,

public entities and interest representation groups

was the Hon. Mr. Richard Cachia Caruana, Permanent

Representative of Malta to the European Union, Mr.

Phillip de Buck, Secretary General of BUSINESSEUROPE,

and Mr. Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of

Eurochambres. The event was also attended by high-

ranking European institution officials, senior staff

members from various European and international

interest representations groups and Maltese

entrepreneurs from various commercial sectors.

30.01: MBB/BOV seminar on waste management: ‘Tackling Waste Together’

MBB, together with Bank of Valletta organised the

well attended annual seminar on 30 January, 2008.

The main argument was that waste is not a burden,

but a resource that needs to be managed. When

well managed, waste can be turned into business

opportunities. Also, environmental awareness can

be used as a PR measure, and from a purely economic

point of view, there is large business potential in waste

management and renewables.

Mr Martin Seychell, Director of Environment, Malta

Environment and Planning Authority, discussed the four

priorities within the Malta Waste Framework regulation

of 2002; Dr Chris Ciantar, Director of Environment

Initiatives at the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the

Environment spoke about the development of the

harmonisation of waste collection measures.

Assistant Engineer and We Care Co-ordinator Mr Mario

Morana, from Hilton Malta, spoke about the hotel’s

endeavours to train its staff members continuously in

order to ensure a high level of environmental awareness

among the staff and to encourage eco-friendly

behaviour.

In order for the waste management system to be

successful, cooperation between industry, retailer and

local authorities is vital. This was emphasised by Mr

Walter Hauer, Managing Director, Technisches Büro

Umweltwirtschaft GmbH during his presentation on

Austria’s experience.

In a panel discussion chaired by Godwin C. Micallef,

Chairman of the FOI Environment Committee, the key

role of the local councils was discussed. Mr Michael

The Hon. Minister Pullicino, addressing the

audience at the MBB/BOV waste seminar

Mr Phillip de Buck, Ing Ray Muscat and

guest at the reception


Page 27

emphasised the importance of presenting a good waste

collection plan to the inhabitants of different localities,

and then complying with it.

The conference was concluded by Hon. George

Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment,

who announced details on the way in which separated

recyclable waste will be collected door-to-door.

February

28.02: MBB/ME ECAP seminar

With the ECAP Programme for SMEs ‘Small, clean and

competitive – A programme to help small and medium-

sized enterprises comply with environmental legislation’,

the European Commission aims at providing a policy

framework and ad hoc funding to assist SMEs

in addressing all causes of low compliance.

One of the main goals of the programme is to create a

network of national and international experts operating

within the environmental scenario. The seminar was

targeted at those who play a major role in the country

and who can steer and influence national and European

policies. The seminar organised locally was an excellent

opportunity for the main environmental stakeholders

and experts belonging to several organisations in Malta

to meet, and to form part of a national and international

network of experts.

Ms Imola Bedo, Project Officer and representative of the

European Commission – DG Environment, welcomed all

the participants and was at their disposal to answer their

questions as well as to discuss the European scenario.

The event was organised with the support of the

European Commission DG Environment and with the

organisational support of RSO (www.rso.it), Malta

Mr Mark Azzopardi, Malta Enterprise,

addressing the ECAP seminar

Enterprise and The Malta Business Bureau, in order

to facilitate the training material available from RSO

to the participants. Another aim was to create a

network for SMEs to discuss their needs with regard to

environmental compliance. A further issue discussed

during the seminar focused on the best way to

communicate with SMEs.

Mark Azzopardi, Manager, Department of Technology,

Development and Innovation of Malta Enterprise set

the scene and provided all the necessary background

information. The background information on environ-

mental legislation with regard to the local scenario was

presented by Martin Seychell, Director for Environmental

Protection, Malta Environment and Planning Authority,

while the Malta Standards Authority was represented

by Ing. Francis Farrugia who gave an insight into EMAS

in Malta and the way in which the MSA can assist

companies wishing to achieve certification.

March

Mr Stefano Mallia and Dr Joanna Drake addressing

the participants and press at the project launch

04.03: Cosmetics information meeting

In order to raise awareness among the Chamber Health

Care Section on the European Commission’s proposal

(COM (2008) 49) for a regulation on cosmetic products

MBB organised an information seminar on 4 March.

During this information meeting Ms Audrey Anne

Anastasi Scientist Foodstuffs, Chemicals, Pesticides and

Cosmetics Unit, from the Malta Standards Authority

gave a presentation in which she provided an overview

of what the proposal entails; explained the changes the

proposal puts forward; gave her views on how it will

possibly impact the local scenario; and took questions

from the floor.


26.03: Information meeting on EU proposal on labelling legislation

The Malta Business Bureau brought to the attention of

the Manufacturers of food products that the European

Commission had issued a proposal for a regulation

on the provision of food information to consumers

(COM(2008)40). The draft proposal consolidates and

updates two areas of labelling legislation, the general

food and nutrition labelling, previously covered by

Directives 2000/13/EC and 90/496/EEC respectively.

As this proposal could have an impact on manufacturers

of food products, the Malta Business Bureau organised

an information meeting, in which Ms Audrey Anne

Anastasi Scientist Foodstuffs, Chemicals, Pesticides and

Cosmetics Unit, from the Malta Standards Authority

gave an overview of what this proposal entails;

explained the changes the proposal puts forward;

how this could possibly impact the local importers

and producers; and took questions from the floor.

27.03: Success Stories Project Breakfast Meeting: Official Project Launch

On 27 March 2008, Dr Joanna Drake, Head of the

European Commission Representation in Malta, and

Mr Stefano Mallia, President of the Malta Business

Foundation, officially launched the project at the Malta

Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise in Valletta. Dr

Drake and Mr Mallia clearly outlined the main aims of

the project and paved the way for future initiatives.

June23.06: Hosting visit from the Nottingham and Derby Chamber of Commerce

The MBB Brussels office also hosted a visit from the

Nottingham and Derby Chamber of Commerce on

23 June 2008. During the meetings with the senior

executives from the UK Chamber, discussions focused

on how to disseminate trade and business opportunities

between Malta and the East Midlands region. On 26

June, the Brussels office hosted an NSTF educational

visit of the student-participants of the annual NSTF

Mini European Assembly.

September04.09: Success Stories Project Breakfast Meeting: Sustainable Development

The second breakfast meeting of the Success Stories

project dealt specifically with the sustainable

development of businesses. Dr John C. Grech, Chairman

of Economic and Management Consultancy Services

Ltd delivered the keynote speech and brought a

number of essential issues to the table, highlighting

the important contribution businesses have made to

the sustainable development of our economic, social

and environmental surroundings; and that businesses

across all industries have the responsibility to ensure the

sustainable development of the business itself. Dr Grech

explained that many businesses benefited greatly from

allowing the younger generation to take the initiative

and actively contribute to the development of the

business itself.

October07.10: Regions making the MOST of our Seas: Maritime Opportunities within Safety and Transport

The Malta Business Bureau participated in the 2008

edition of the Open Days organised by the Committee of

the Regions. The MBB was a partner in the conglomerate

‘Regions making the MOST of our Seas: Maritime

Opportunities within Safety and Transport’ which held a

well-attended workshop precisely on the twin themes of

maritime safety and transport within the context of the

EU’s future maritime policy, on 7 October. A presentation

outlining examples of best practices in maritime safety

within Malta’s Grand Harbour was delivered by the MBB

guest speaker Captain Richard Gabriele, Harbour Master

at the Malta Maritime Authority.

The participants of the EP for Enterprises

14.10: European Parliament for Enterprises

The Brussels office coordinated the Chamber’s

participation in the first ever ‘European Parliament for

Enterprises’ organised by Eurochambres on 14 October.

The European Parliament for Enterprises was a unique

profiling event for the national Chambers of Commerce

of the EU member states and candidate/accession

countries. For the high-level delegation that attended


Page 29

on behalf of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and

Enterprise, it was an opportunity to be Members of the

European Parliament for one day, debating and voting

on some of the most crucial topics currently at the

heart of the political debate, and meeting face to face

with key management members of the EU institutions,

including Mr José Manuel Barroso, President of the

European Commission, and Mr Hervé Novelli, French

Secretary of State in charge of commerce. The European

Parliament for Enterprises brought together over 750

entrepreneurs and was organised by Eurochambres

under the high patronage of Mr. Hans-Gert Pottering,

President of the European Parliament, with the support

of the European Commission, the French Presidency and

the Employers’ Group of the European Economic and

Social Committee.

Mr Andre Fenech addressing the participants

27.10: Success Stories Project Breakfast Meeting: Better Regulation

The third breakfast meeting was held in the last week

of October and dealt with the issue of better regulation

for industry and enterprise. The event included a

presentation by Maarit Nyman, from DG Enterprise

and Industry, who spoke about the development of

EU policies that address the needs of small and

medium-sized enterprises.

The second speaker, Mr Andre Fenech, Senior Executive,

Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, also

addressed the audience and focused on the effect that

regulation has on local industries and businesses.

30.10: Maritime conference

The Malta Business Bureau organised a half-day

seminar on the EU’s future maritime policy entitled

‘An integrated maritime policy prescription for Malta:

Tapping opportunities for economic growth’ aimed

at generating an in-depth policy discussion on the

implications for business, public authorities and other

civil society stakeholders on the formulation of an

integrated maritime policy for Malta.

This national conference was organised within the

framework of the annual ’Open Days’ of the Committee

of the Regions of the European Union on 30 October.

Speakers included the Hon. Minister Austin Gatt;

Ms. Joanna Darmanin, head of Cabinet of Maltese

Commissioner Joe Borg; and Dr Joanna Drake, the

Head of the Commission Representation in Malta.

Additionally, various panellists from leading businesses

operating in the various sectors of the maritime industry

as well as the regulatory authorities interacted in two

panel discussions on the development of Malta as a

regional and European maritime transport hub and on

chartering the way forward for the further development

of the maritime leisure tourism industry on the islands.

The Hon. Minister Gatt, addressing the audience

at the Maritime conference


November

Ing Joseph Micallef (MSA), Mr Julian Micallef,

Dr Gabriella Pace (MEUSAC) and Mr Pedro

Fernandez Alvarez (MBB) at the briefing

05.11: MBB/MEUSAC/MSA – Eco-design briefing session for stakeholders

The European Commission, in response to many calls

for better energy efficiency, has been working on eco

requirements in the design of a wide range of products

– ranging from common household goods to office

equipment and even street lighting. The aim is to ensure

that products are designed to be efficient in terms of

energy consumption.

In this context MBB, in cooperation with MEUSAC and

the Malta Standards Authority organised a briefing

session for stakeholders on the issues involved, the

current discussions taking place and developments to

be expected in the near future.

The discussion was of particular interest to importers,

manufacturers and retailers of white goods (particularly

domestic electrical appliances, televisions and other

sound/vision equipment, and personal computers);

contractors and engineers involved in designing

and erecting commercial and electrical installations;

importers, manufacturers and retailers of sound/visual

equipment; importers, manufacturers and retailers of

electronic equipment that requires an external charger

or power supply (eg laptops/notebooks, mobile phones,

etc); and importers and retailers of electrical goods.

The main speaker was Ing. Joseph Micallef, from the

Regulatory Affairs Directorate (MSA). He tackled the

issues including the development of implementing

measures, current and expected developments, the

implementing measures on the products in question,

and the relationship with the energy labelling directive.

There was also ample time for discussion and questions

from participants.

Ing Joseph Micallef (MSA) addressing the

participants at the construction products briefing

25.11: MBB/MEUSAC/MSA Construction products briefing session for stakeholders

Directive 89/106/EC, covering the legislation on construc-

tion products (such as doors, cement, aggregates, roof

products, piping, gypsum products, composition toilets,

fire alarms, glass, waste water treatment units, boilers,

thermal insulation and any other product which is placed

on the market to be permanently inserted in construction

work) has been up for revision. Using its ’new approach’ to

standards, the European Commission has proposed a new

Regulation to ensure a harmonised implementation of the

regulation and, with the help of product contact points

established in each Member State, to promote intra-

community trade of construction products.

In this context, MBB in cooperation with MEUSAC and

the Malta Standards Authority, organised a briefing

session for stakeholders on the issues involved, the

current discussions taking place and developments

to be expected in the near future.

Given that a parallel development was taking place

with regard to energy efficiency, participants were also

briefed on a Commission proposal on energy-related

products. This legislative proposal could affect products

which have an indirect impact on energy consumption,

such as windows, thermal insulation, and doors by

making them subject to eco-design requirements.

The discussion was of particular interest to operators

that deal with construction products, including importers,

distributors, retailers, architects, civil engineers and other

professionals and traders in the sector.

The main speaker was Ing. Joseph Micallef, from the

Regulatory Affairs Directorate (MSA). He tackled the

proposed legislative changes and other expected

developments.


Page 31

December 09.12: Success Stories Project Breakfast Meeting: Best Practices

At the fourth breakfast Dr Gordon Cordina presented

the main findings of his research study. He delivered a

detailed analysis of the best practices, put forward the

main scope of the report and discussed preliminary

conclusions that were drawn from the research

conducted earlier on in the year.


7. Outlook for 2009


Page 33


In 2009 the focus of MBB operations will continue to

be the evaluation of the needs and interests of Maltese

Strategy, as well as actively communicating these

positions in Brussels and vice-versa to the grassroots

in Malta. MBB is aware of the special needs of the local

business community, due to Malta’s micro-island state

reality. MBB supports the creation of a level playing field

for business, and its ultimate goal is to enhance the local

firms’ possibilities in the Single European Market. The

MBB firmly believes in conducting ongoing consultation

with the parent organisations’ membership at sectoral

level, in order to be able to channel and defend the

interests of the members within the appropriate

institutional fora at both national and EU levels.

In this light, MBB will continue to assist its parent

organisations in contributing to the formulation of the

Maltese business perspective on EU policies. The MBB is

an active player in the economic debate informing the

EU and Maltese national institutional and regulatory

bodies. The MBB will continue to act as an early warning

system for pipeline acquis and forthcoming regulations.

The MBB will uphold its objective of seeking both

commercial and EU-funding opportunities for the

member firms of the parent organisations to address the

challenges to the operational success of local business,

irrespective of size and location, within the European

Single Market.

The main issue of concern in the last months of 2008

was the economic turmoil which has created unrest in

all EU member states. The Commission presented the

European Economic Recovery Plan as part of a solution

to the financial crisis by means of agreement between

Member States to act efficiently but in a timely manner,

towards improving Europe’s current economic climate.

MBB has taken close notice of the EU’s recovery plan and

will report accordingly on the different measures and

initiatives to be launched in the early months of 2009.

MBB will underpin its communication strategy in 2009

by issuing, apart from the regular newsletter, a weekly

e-publication, the EU4Business Weekly Newsflash,

distributed by email and which highlights EU-related

news items of specific interest for the local business

community in a concise and easy-to-read format.

Additionally, MBB issues updates, briefs and reports

on key issues that develop in the EU and that are of

particular interest to the local business community.

Some of the projects come to an end in the first quarter

of 2009. Once these are concluded MBB will create and

participate in new projects which create high value

added for the member base of the parent organisations.

MBB has envisaged several events for 2009 and will keep

the commercial sector informed, cordially inviting all to

participate. This, in the hope that all MBB events will once

again be of assistance to local entrepreneurs, bringing to

the table new knowledge on EU-Maltese related issues,

which is valuable for the day-to-day, as well as long-term,

running of commercial activities in Malta.

The MBB would like to take this opportunity to thank

its parent organisations, sectoral groups, local and

European collaborating organisations, and the local

business community for a fruitful 2008. The MBB looks

forward to continuing to be of service and assistance

to Maltese entrepreneurs and collaborating partners,

in 2009.

Malta Office

c/o The Exchange Buildings,

Republic Street

Tel:- 00356 21 224415

Fax:- 00356 21 245223

Email: [email protected]

Documents

MBB Annual Report 2008