Malta Chamber Administrative Report 2017/2018

Administrative Report

2017/18

The Official Annual Report of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry A Special Edition of the Commercial Courier

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry

Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Contents Foreword by President Frank V. Farrugia ..........................................................................................................................

Introduction by Director General Kevin J. Borg ............................................................................................................

Council of the Malta Chamber 2017-2019 ........................................................................................................................

Economic Groups Executive Committee Members .................................................................................................

Malta Chamber Staff .........................................................................................................................................................................

Appreciation ...........................................................................................................................................................................................

Events Highlights ................................................................................................................................................................................

Policy Positions 2017-2018 ...........................................................................................................................................................

Economic Groups ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Importers, Distributors and Retailers Economic Group ....................................................................

Healthcare .....................................................................................................................................................

Professional Community Lead Pharmacists ........................................................................

Wines and Spirits, Beverages and Tobacco ........................................................................

Manufacturers and Other Industries Economic Group .....................................................................

Electrical and Electronics ..................................................................................................................

Food and Beverage Processors ....................................................................................................

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers .....................................................................................................

Plastics and Rubber Manufacturers ...........................................................................................

Services Providers Economic Group ..............................................................................................................

Financial Services ....................................................................................................................................

Information Technology ......................................................................................................................

Logistics ..........................................................................................................................................................

Shipping and Bunkering .....................................................................................................................

Tourism .............................................................................................................................................................

Yachting Services .....................................................................................................................................

Policy Committees ............................................................................................................................................................................

Environment and Energy .........................................................................................................................................

Human Resources ........................................................................................................................................................

Marketing .............................................................................................................................................................................

SME and Family Business ............................................................................................................................................................

Executive Committees – Business Sections, Policy Committees .................................................................

Malta Chamber Commissions set up by Statute ........................................................................................................

Internationalisation ............................................................................................................................................................................

Relations with Diplomatic Corps .............................................................................................................................................

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) ..........................................................................................................................................

International Scene ...........................................................................................................................................................................

BUSINESSEUROPE ......................................................................................................................................................

EUROCHAMBRES .........................................................................................................................................................

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) ...........................................................................

Malta Business Bureau .............................................................................................................................................

Examination Services ......................................................................................................................................................................

Surveys .......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Administration .......................................................................................................................................................................................

ISO:9001 .....................................................................................................................................................................................................

Public Relations ...................................................................................................................................................................................

Media Releases ...................................................................................................................................................................................

Nominees on Boards and Committees .............................................................................................................................

010 015 020 022 022 025 027 049 057 058 058 058 058 061 061 061 063 063 063 063 064 064 067 067 067 071 072 072 075 075 077 081 083 090 090 094 094 095 097 099 107 109 111 112 115 118 120

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The Annual Administrative Report of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry is distributed to all the members of the Malta Chamber and to leading businesses.

The cut-off date for information published in this Annual Administrative Report is 15th February 2018. Events occurring after this date will appear in the 2018-2019 report.

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Foreword by Frank V. Farrugia President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry

Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

As President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, it is my pleasure to address you through the Annual Administrative Report.

Bringing the first year of my Presidency to a close, I am pleased to note the work that our Chamber has carried out in the past 12 months, in line with my objectives as spelt out upon my election and according to our mission to actively represent companies and ensure that members in the Importers, Manufacturers and Service Providers sectors enjoy the best competitive environment and regulatory conditions possible for the conduct of business.

In fact, our Chamber has maintained its position at the forefront of the country’s economic and political discussion in relation to issues that affect our businesses.

At the Forefront for Business During the past year, our Chamber has continued to hold a principal role in the country’s economic process. We have done this in a variety of ways, using all the tools at our disposal.

On numerous occasions, I accompanied the President of the Republic on high-level institutional and business missions to upcoming and promising partner-countries. On behalf of the business community we also participated in business missions to Oman, Qatar, Ghana, Ukraine and Tunisia. At each of these, we sought to serve as a bridging point between our ambitious entrepreneurs and the opportunities of the country in question.

Throughout last year we also maintained a constructive debate with the country’s highest offices in order to offer advice and to influence the decisions that would affect our businesses. During my regular meetings with the Prime Minister, Ministers and the Leader of the Opposition, I have always made it a point to illustrate the situation on the ground of our various sectors which are represented within our Chamber. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, was always swift in his reply to our requests, as he continues to hold our organisation in high esteem.

I was pleased to welcome the Honourable Joseph Muscat together with a great number of his

senior Ministers to the Chamber last August, for a special Council meeting. During the meeting, we expressed our thoughts on a variety of matters in a number of areas. Following my opening address, I sought to provide the space to my fellow Council members to do the talking as each addressed a specific concern or comment in a frank and candid manner. The Ministers present each provided their feedback on the issues discussed, making the Council meeting a most effective and constructive one.

Contributing to the National Debate Leading up to the most significant moments of the country’s economic year, our Chamber contributed directly to the debate, providing well-researched and fact-based proposals to Government, in order to proactively influence the decisions that would affect our businesses.

The Chamber in fact published two documents during 2017, the first in the run-up to the country’s General Election, and another as part of the consultation process prior to the national Budget.

Both documents largely reflected the opinion and debate at our Council. The documents outlined our goals towards safeguarding and enhancing a climate of economic well-being that encourages competitiveness-based investment.

On several occasions throughout the year, we also reacted to legislation that was going to have an effect on our businesses, providing Ministries and authorities with our members’ feedback and positions on the proposed legislation at hand.

Through our direct channels as well as fora such as the MCESD and MEUSAC, we were always vociferous in expressing our positions to the benefit of our members.

Minimum Wage The Chamber participated actively in talks leading up to the agreement on the Minimum Wage, together with other employers’ representative organisations.

The Chamber successfully influenced the discussion to cushion the effects of such changes to the Minimum Wage on businesses.

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry

Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

The Malta Chamber entered negotiations on this sensitive matter several months before the announced result, in good faith and with the firm belief that the outcome would serve to alleviate the country’s issues with poverty. The Chamber maintained throughout, however, that any agreement on the issue would not eliminate the problem of poverty.

Given the high expectations of certain quarters, we expressed our satisfaction that the outcome was just and fair, as it complemented Malta’s industrial relations without risking to undermine export competitiveness. The Chamber was also encouraged by the fact that ultimately, common sense had prevailed during talks between social partners and that the matter was tackled and decided within the MCESD where positions made were scientifically backed.

and have a time bar, otherwise employers are threatened by multiple vexatious cases, significant legal costs, bureaucracy and uncertainty.

The Chamber will continue to follow the developments of the draft legislation to assure that the impact on our employers is mitigated.

DRS Following the Prime Minister’s statements during the Ocean’s Conference last September, and the corroboration of the same by the Minister of Finance during his Budget speech, the Malta Chamber has held several meetings with the relevant Ministry and Government entities to prevent any shocks to the economy particularly those parts directly affected by the introduction of a DRS scheme.

Air Malta As a Chamber we also followed closely the issue of the future of the national airline which we are pleased to note, finally seems to be on the right trajectory towards financial and commercial feasibility. On numerous occasions we warned all parties involved in the negotiations that Air Malta had to be dealt with in a special manner as it did not only hold the key to the tourism industry, but also provided indispensable support to the rest of the economy with its direct flights to the most important cities in Europe.

The Chamber congratulated all involved when deals were struck between Air Malta and its employees, assuring that the company could now proceed with its ambitious growth plans. We will continue to follow Air Malta as we wish the management and all its employees the very best for a successful future.

Equality Act Our Chamber continued to follow developments in the proposed comprehensive bill to ensure wider equality and non-discrimination in Malta. The Chamber had raised its concerns and proposed suitable amendments, both through MCESD as well as in direct contact with the relevant Ministry.

We highlighted the fact that the bill could have an adverse impact on our members on a number of grounds.

Firstly, the proposed law assumes an accused employer as guilty from the start, contrary to all conventions of justice, the world over. In the case of a potential breach, our employers are being denied the human right of being presumed innocent until proven guilty.

We are also opposing the fact that the new bill will effectively overlap other existing legislation as it allows employees more than one avenue of redress. This means that employers will very possibly be accused in front of the National Law courts, the Industrial Tribunal, as well as the soon to be established Human Rights and Equality Commission. In the very likely case that the verdicts of these adjudicating bodies will differ, this will give rise to unimaginable confusion. We maintain that such claims must be funnelled to the Industrial Tribunal

As a Chamber we shall continue to follow the developments of this issue, which is still in its initial phases, to ensure that any legislation is introduced following an acceptable consultation process and with the necessary safeguards for our businesses.

Public Holidays The Chamber performed a leading role in the discussions and negotiations leading up to the Government’s pre-electoral promise to re-introduce compensation in the form of vacation leave for public holidays falling on a weekend. The Malta Chamber noted the announcement in the Budget for 2018.

In fact, we carried out a study to calculate the cost of this promise on the private economy, based on a median salary in Malta.

Following our pressure, we welcomed the Government’s decision to introduce just one day in 2018, as a sign of good will and that discussions with the Employer bodies had to continue with a view to ensure that the final effect of this measure would be cost-neutral to employers.

Work-based Learning Also last year, I was appointed by the newly established National Skills Council to chair its sub-committee on workbased learning. Our Chamber coordinates the committee, the remit of which is to propose improvements to increase the supply and take-up of work-based learning in Malta. The committee brings together key players from education and industry, and is engaged in analysing the current landscape before drafting a proposals document that is backed by all relevant stakeholders.

In conclusion, it was my pleasure to serve the Malta Chamber for the past 12 months. I look forward to my next year, as I promise more energy and my undying commitment towards the cause.

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry

Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Director General Report by Kevin J. Borg

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The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

As Director General, it is my pleasure to summarise the Malta Chamber’s major achievements this year.

The year under review was characterised by the realisation of ambitious projects within the Chamber Building, the consolidation of recently-launched initiatives and an active participation in Malta’s Presidency of the EU.

Malta’s Presidency of the European Council The increased pressure on Chamber resources during the first half of 2017 was evidence to the fact that Malta’s place on the European map was clearly elevated by the country’s Presidency of the European Council. Indeed, the Chamber’s involvement and opinions were given higher value and importance by our counterparts. Regular liaison was required with our European counterparts insofar as promoting the business agenda during the formal and informal European Council meetings. On a personal level, I was appointed on BusinessEurope’s exclusive Executive Bureau group for the duration of Malta’s Presidency.

During the course of the MT Presidency a number of highpowered delegations from prominent business organisations such as MEDEF (France), BDI and BDA (Germany), CBI (UK), Amcham Europe (USA), DEIK (Turkey), and the EESC visited Malta and the Chamber with a view to promote their causes higher up the European agenda through the Presidency. Early on during the Presidency, the Chamber coordinated a meeting with the Prime Minister for BusinessEurope President, Emma Marcegaglia and Director General Markus Beyrer.

The highlight of the Chamber’s involvement in the country’s role at the centre of European affairs was the organisation of a three-day programme for the Presidents, Directors General, Permanent Delegates and their spouses of BusinessEurope – which is among Europe’s leading and most influential business organisations. This gathering takes place every six months, usually, in the country holding the EU Presidency.

After almost two years of careful planning and preparation under the guidance of an ad hoc organising committee, the programme took place between 3 and 5 May. The full programme included four sightseeing tours, a dinner for Permanent Delegates in Birgu and a gala dinner for all delegates at Xara Lodge with entertainment provided by soprano Clare Ghigo and leading band Red Electrick. The Council of Presidents meeting took place in the Chamber’s main hall and was followed by lunch in the courtyard.

The Chamber was proud to host BusinessEurope’s largest Council of Presidents’ programme in recent years particularly as our European guests gave us ample praise and congratulated us for the programme content, professional organisation and hospitality we offered.

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Policy and Consultation During the period under review, I oversaw the formulation of several policy positions adopted by the Malta Chamber and its autonomous groupings. It is worth mentioning at the outset, the successful outcome of an enhanced internal mechanism for consultation involving Policy Committees and Business Sections with different interests. This took place through improved coordination and resulted in a better understanding of wider complexities. Principal among the matters of policy tackled by our team and internal committees were the following: • Staff/skills shortages and possible solutions • Electricity tariffs • Minimum wage • Abuse in free movement of goods • New public procurement regulations • Consultation on University of Malta Act • EU social pillar – work life balance • State aid limitations • National reform programme

• Low carbon development strategy • Union recognition • Introduction of a new deposit refund system on beverage containers • Equality Act • Brexit • Penalty points system for drivers • The future of Air Malta • Amendments to billboard regulations

Besides the above list, the Chamber took the lead among the Employer bodies in consultations that took place with Government on Compensatory Measures for the private sector in view of the electoral proposal to grant additional days of vacation leave to workers in the case of public holidays that fall on a weekend.

Electoral Proposals The Chamber also presented proposals ahead of the General Election and the 2018 Budget in an effort to actively influence national economic policy.

The Chamber delivered its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition before the 3 June General Election in a document titled ‘Policy Proposals for a Competitiveness-centred Electoral Manifesto’. The Chamber warned the major political parties not to enter a race to outbid each other with electoral promises that risk to undermine the foundations of our economic competitiveness. In all, the document proposed 71 concrete deliverables split into 12 chapters, each tackling an important aspect of Malta’s economy including good governance and protecting the country’s reputation, alleviating the acute skills gap affecting the private sector, and other pro-competitiveness proposals.

The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Similar proposals were included in the Chamber’s written and verbal representations ahead of the National Budget for 2018. The Chamber’s over-arching objectives for the Budget were (1) to exploit the current positive standing of public finances to rectify structural issues that threaten long-term fiscal sustainability and (2) to further enhance the factors that contribute to Malta’s competitiveness with an emphasis on overcoming the severe labour shortages and modernising the ageing infrastructure through sustainable long-term planning. The Chamber advised in favour of overcoming these ingrained issues as the key to future-proof the country and to successfully endure eventual periods of downturn, thereby ascertaining long-term economic sustainability.

on all the windows at roof level overlooking the courtyard and other preventive health and safety measures. The bathroom facilities on the first floor were completely refurbished and facilities for disabled persons were installed on the ground floor. Moreover, the Wi-Fi system in the entire building was upgraded to a speed of 250MB/s and is now capable of taking 250 users at any one time via a network of 12 state-ofthe-art access points.

Internationalisation

The Board of Management met 32 times while the Council convened 14 times. 52 functions were held at the Chamber by third parties including Malta’s leading private companies and public institutions. During 2017, the Chamber also issued 2,374 certificates of origin and successfully completed a Quality Management reclassification to the new ISO (9001:2015) Standard.

On the internationalisation front, the Chamber organised a successful trade delegation to Tunisia with 30 companies whilst supporting several B2B meetings in several other countries. At the same time, we continued to operate Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) services within a local consortium. Through EEN, the Chamber successfully partnered Maltese franchisors with overseas franchisees and launched a guide-book to support companies to expand their business online. EEN seeks to bring together around 600 business support organisations from more than 50 countries, with the principal aim of helping small companies seize the unparalleled business opportunities in the EU Single Market.

The Chamber’s Internationalisation Desk mission is based on Trade Consultation, Supporting the activities of the Business Councils and the delivery of value-added services such as partnering activities, tangible contacts, and information and events that promote trade cooperation which raise awareness of business opportunities that exist in overseas markets. We also support any necessary follow-up by facilitating the pursuit of collaboration through our international counterparts.

Building Projects As referred to above, in July this year, we proudly unveiled a completely refurbished office wing which was promptly rented out to serve as the new headquarters of Valletta 2018 Foundation (V.18). This project, which involved the complete redevelopment of the offices vacated by the GRTU at groundfloor level of the Exchange Building, was completed to high specification, on budget and on time.

Whilst the offices were in a reasonably good condition, the decision to install a mezzanine floor in all the rooms meant that the entire space had to be taken apart. On site progress meetings with all the persons involved were held on a weekly basis. It was acknowledged from the outset that the project was a difficult one and that all contractors were working to a very tight schedule. V.18 Foundation was able to move into the new offices in the first week of August.

Besides this major project, a number of other building improvements were undertaken over the past 12-month period. These included the installation of protection railings

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During this time, the Malta Chamber’s structures continued to perform as a total of 387 internal meetings were held within the various Economic Groups, Business Sections, Business Councils and Policy Committees.

Moreover, weekly editions of Chamberlink and seven editions of The Commercial Courier were published, while 27 press releases were issues and the Chamber expressed its opinion in 31 articles in various newspapers. Recent traffic figures show that www.maltachamber.org.mt is the top business portal in Malta – and the business-related website with the highest number of daily visitors. This year an online SME Tool-Kit was added and in October, the portal carried real-time comments and reactions during the 2018 Budget.

The Chamber also organised a number of national conferences namely ‘Start-Up Strong – Tools for Success’, ‘Beyond 2018, Strengthening Malta-UK ties’, Brexit Conference with the participation of Paul Dreschler, President of the Confederation of British Industry and the Malta-Turkey Business Forum with the Prime Minister of Turkey.

In conclusion, I thank all my colleagues at the Malta Chamber for their dedication and team-work. Under the guidance of the Board of Management, Council, Economic Groups and Committees, I look forward to another active year of service to the business community.

The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Council of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry 2015-2017

Mr Frank V. Farrugia, President Mr David Xuereb, Deputy President Mr Andrew W.J. Mamo, Vice-President Ms Marisa Xuereb, Vice-President Mr Hugh Arrigo Mr Matthias Fauser Mr Norman Aquilina Ms Liz Barbaro Sant Mr Charles Borg Mr Patrick Cachia Dr David Grech Mr Reginald Fava Mr Joseph Pace Mr Mario Spiteri Mr Matthew Sullivan Mr Anthony Tabone Mr Christopher Vassallo Cesareo Mr Nicholas Xuereb Mr Charles A. Zahra

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Past Presidents Mr Louis Apap-Bologna Mr Anton Borg Mr Joe Caruana Curran Mr Tony Cassar Mr David G. Curmi Mr Joseph R. Darmanin Mr Anthony S. Diacono Mrs Helga Ellul Mr Carm L. Farrugia Mr Louis A. Farrugia Mr Martin Galea Mr Victor A. Galea Mr Francis T. Gera Mr Joe Grioli Mr Stefano Mallia Mr Franco Masini Mr John E. Sullivan Mr Joseph N. Tabone Mr Tancred Tabone Mr Joe Zammit Tabona

The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Economic Groups Executive Board Importers, Distributors and Retailers Economic Group Mr Christopher Vassallo Cesareo Chairman Mr Anthony Tabone Deputy Chairman Mr Charles Borg Vice-Chairman Mr Reginald Fava Mr Andrew W.J. Mamo Mr Charles A. Zahra

Manufacturers and Other Industries Economic Group Mr Norman Aquilina Chairman Mr Nicholas Xuereb Deputy Chairman Mr Joseph Pace Vice-Chairman Mr Matthias Fauser Mr Patrick Cachia Ms Marisa Xuereb Mr Reuben Cuschieri Co-opted Mr Brian Muscat Co-opted

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Services Providers Economic Group Mr Matthew E. Sullivan Chairman Ms Liz Barbaro Sant Deputy Chairman Dr David Grech Vice-Chairman Mr Hugh Arrigo Mr Mario Spiteri Mr David Xuereb

Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry – Staff Mr Kevin J. Borg Director General Mr Andre Fenech Head Policy Development Mr Lino Mintoff Head Projects and Internationalisation Mr John B. Scicluna Head Quality and Administration Mr Anton Spiteri Head Sectors Mr Edward Bonello Manager Communications Miss Johanna Calleja Manager Statutory Affairs and Administration

Mr Stefan Bajada Executive Sectors Mrs Rachel Micallef Executive Projects and Internationalisation Mr Nigel Mifsud Executive Policy Mr Kevin Mizzi Executive Projects and Internationalistion Mrs Elena Scicluna Executive Education Mrs Bernice Chircop Accounts Administrator Ms Roberta Pisani Office Administrator Miss Cheryl Cardona Coordinator Front Office Mr Anthony Tanti Examinations Clerk Mr Joseph Fenech Support Staff Mr Charles Maione Support Staff

The malTa chamber of commerce, enTerprise and indusTry

Annual Administrative Report 2017/18

Appreciation

Tonio Casapinta

J. G. Vassallo

Tonio Casapinta, Vice-President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry passed away on 1 April 2017 at the age of 68.

J.G. Vassallo passed away on 18 February 2017, aged 93. Mr Vassallo served as Director General at the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise between 1971 and 1990, and later as Senior Vice-President.

Mr Casapinta had been a member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry since 1985, serving as Council Member and Honorary Assistant Treasurer of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise between 20012003 and 2006-2008 respectively, prior to the merger with the Federation of Industry.

Between 2009 and 2010, Mr Casapinta was the Deputy Chairman of the Malta Chamber Internationalisation Committee and the ‘Malta Abroad Initiative’, advising the Maltese Government on Malta’s investments and export promotion priorities overseas.

Under his guidance, the Malta Chamber, among other achievements, started Business Education courses, obtained scholarships from Luther College in the United States and put in place a number of Joint Cooperation Councils with other local business-oriented constituted bodies.

Mr Vassallo will also be remembered for re-dimensioning The Commercial Courier and the Malta Trade Directory in line with the developing technology of the time.

The Malta Chamber Council and staff expressed their sincerest sympathy to his family.

The President, Council and permanent staff of the Malta Chamber extended their deepest condolences to Mr Casapinta’s family. Two days of mourning, whereby the offices of the Malta Chamber were closed, were observed.

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Events Highlights 1

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April 2017: 1. Mr Frank V. Farrugia elected President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry 2-4. CIDIC Business Forum and Networking Event May 2017: 5-9. Malta Chamber hosts COPRES dinner

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Events Highlights

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May 2017: 10-14. Malta Chamber hosts COPRES - The BusinessEurope Council of Presidents 15. David Zahra appointed President of the Malta Business Bureau June 2017: 16-18. Malta Chamber signs pledges with European Alliance for Apprenticeships

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Events Highlights

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July 2017: 19-21. Bank of Valletta and Malta Chamber strengthen ties August 2017: 22-26. Council of the Malta Chamber holds meeting with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat 27. MOU with Ghana Chamber signed

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Events Highlights

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September 2017: 28-36. Members attend annual summer reception

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Events Highlights

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September 2017: 37-46. 43 students shadow Business Leaders in second edition of Leaders For a Day

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Events Highlights

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September 2017: 47-49. Malta Chamber publishes results of a survey carried out amongst members who said that they were seeking to recruit around 3,000 employees in the next five years October 2017: 50-56. Event aimed at start-ups provides tools for Budding Entrepreneurs

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Events Highlights

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October 2017: 57. EEN Sector Group meeting held In Malta 58-59. Malta Chamber meets Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia November 2017: 60. Chamber discusses European Commission’s reflection paper on harnessing globalisation and the future of Europe during MEUSAC event 61. Malta Chamber President Frank V. Farrugia discusses the needed Constitutional Reform on Times Talk

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Events Highlights

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November 2017: 62-64. Opportunities of collaboration with Colombia underlined 65-66. SMEs learn about financing solutions

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Events Highlights

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December 2017: 67-78. Chamber hosts annual Christmas drinks

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Events Highlights

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December 2017: 79-80. Chamber calls on Government to strengthen ties with UK post-Brexit 81. Reginald Fava receives honour from President of the Republic 82-84. Chamber holds annual dinner

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Events Highlights

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January 2018: 85-87. Chamber exchanges best wishes for the new year 88-89. R+D Business Support Scheme launched at the Chamber February 2018: 90. GMBC discusses supply chain challenges from the German and Maltese perspectives

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Policy Positions 2017-2018 National Agreement on Minimum Wage On 28 April 2017, Malta welcomed a new national agreement on an increase in the minimum wage.

The Malta Chamber entered negotiations on this sensitive matter several months back in good faith and with the firm belief that the outcome would serve to alleviate the country’s issues with poverty.

The Malta Chamber was actively involved together with other employers’ representative organisations in long discussions and negotiations, and maintained throughout, that any agreement on the issue at hand would not eliminate the problem of poverty.

The agreement stipulates that minimum wage earners would receive an increment of €3 per week following the completion of a year’s employment with the same employer. A further €3 weekly will be added upon completion of a second year.

Employees earning more than the basic minimum wage will also receive an increase pro-rata. The increases do not include COLA. All other workers will receive a supplement of €1 to their COLA for 2018 and 2019.

Social partners also agreed to set up a Low Wage Commission by 2020 to establish an effective mechanism to determine whether the minimum wage will need reviewing. This commission will submit its recommendations to Government every four years, the first due in 2023.

The Malta Chamber expressed its satisfaction that the outcome was just and fair, and most importantly that it complemented Malta’s industrial relations without risking to undermine export competitiveness. The Chamber was also encouraged by the fact that, ultimately, common sense prevailed during talks between social partners and that the matter was tackled and decided within the MCESD, where positions were backed by scientific and economic data.

The Chamber’s main demand was for the implementation of this measure to occur in a staggered manner. The annual Government Budget eventually introduced an additional day of vacation leave for all workers in 2018.

The Chamber shall pursue discussions with Government on compensatory mechanisms designed to neutralise the cost of this measure for employers.

Revision of the Billboard and Advertisements Regulations After the Chamber’s numerous representations to the authorities on its significant reservations regarding drastic changes introduced by the Billboard and Advertisements Regulation of 2016, Government reviewed the Regulations in their entirety and issued a new legal notice in early 2017.

Following the launch of the public consultation on the legal notices revising the Regulations of 2016, the Malta Chamber once again consulted interested members on the changes.

Notwithstanding the notable improvements in the first draft of the revised legal notice, the Chamber put forward further recommendations based on members’ feedback and consulted closely with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Planning Authority.

The Chamber was satisfied to note that its recommendations aimed at minimising administrative burdens and increasing the legal clarity of certain definitions were welcomed and taken on board by Government.

University of Malta Act – A Vision for Tomorrow’s University in the Modern World In 2017, the Ministry for Education and Employment launched a public consultation exercise on the University of Malta Act. In its first draft, the Act aimed to create a better mechanism that would continue to guarantee free access to higher quality education and to provide a stronger vehicle for institutional freedom. The Act sought to advocate good governance through numerous policies that garnered mixed reactions from all stakeholders, including the Malta Chamber.

Public Holidays Falling on a Weekend Despite numerous pre-election calls by the Malta Chamber for political parties to refrain from electoral promises that could jeopardise Malta’s reputation and future economic development, 2017 saw the Chamber discussing cost-neutral ways to implement Government’s electoral promise to compensate workers for public holidays falling on a weekend.

Sound economic research resulted in the formulation of numerous proposals presented to Government to ensure the cost neutrality of such a measure for the private sector.

In its official feedback, the Chamber strongly agreed with Government’s vision for education as a fundamental pillar of the country’s identity, social and economic development, and in the furtherance of Malta’s competitive edge in the global market.

The Chamber stressed that, primarily, a much wider approach is required to modernise the education system at all levels if Malta is to remain renowned for the quality of its human

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resource as members are reporting a worrying decline in soft skills among the younger generation.

The Chamber elaborated on its significant concerns over elements of autonomy and governance proposed by Government. The Chamber stressed that all efforts should focus on strengthening the existing governance structures in a way that truly enshrines the institution’s autonomy, rather than introducing new structures with direct political involvement.

On the other hand, the Chamber agreed with oversight mechanisms and strengthened accountability in the interest of the taxpayer, however, only where administrative issues, such as H&R and facilities management, are concerned.

In its feedback, the Chamber also proposed a reworked stipend system, enhanced research capabilities through more industry-academia collaboration and improved work-based learning frameworks for students.

Contributions to the Pre-Electoral and Annual Government Budget Consultation Processes

to further consolidate the country’s public finances and competitiveness levels, and to refrain from making electoral promises that could jeopardise Malta’s reputation and future economic development.

The Annual Government Budget In its proposals, the Malta Chamber highlighted the fact that energy prices for medium-sized companies in Malta are 42 per cent higher than the EU average, making the price for energy which is being paid by Maltese businesses the highest across Europe. The Chamber’s claim, which was corroborated

by Eurostat figures, also highlighted how Malta remained the only EU country in which industrial energy tariffs were higher than domestic tariffs.

Considering that electricity rates typically represent 12 per cent of overhead costs for businesses, the Malta Chamber proposed a number of measures that would help businesses overcome the expensive tariffs incurred, including an improved Night Tariff framework, purchasing flexibility, as well as the introduction of privately managed energy distribution substations.

General Election – 3 June 2017 The Chamber made its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition ahead of the 3 June General Election in a document titled ‘Policy Proposals for a Competitiveness-centred Electoral Manifesto’. The document proposed 71 concrete deliverables split into 12 chapters, each tackling an important aspect of Malta’s economy.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry primarily called on people in public office, whether elected or appointed, to lead by example and take the indisputable moral high ground against dubious practices, stressing that the rule of law is not an option but a must.

The Chamber also called for: 1) the incoming administration to appoint a dedicated Parliamentary Secretary for Research and Development within the Ministry for Industry or the Economy; 2) expedited establishment of a Development Bank to carry out non-commercial activities that facilitate access to finance for SMEs and support infrastructure investment; 3) a surge in much needed capital investment in order to secure competitiveness and growth in the long term; 4) incentive mechanisms to shift surplus public servants back into the private sector so as to mitigate lacking labour supply; 5) a change in development policy focused on sustainable planning with commitment to long-term quality of life; 6) a further reduction in industrial energy tariffs to align Malta’s prices to the European averages, among other proposals.

Finally, the Chamber stressed that political leaders must place wealth creation firmly before wealth distribution

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The Chamber also focused on a number of labour market issues that pose challenges to businesses in Malta and in turn to the sustainability of jobs. While the Chamber expressed itself in favour of Active Labour Market Policies, it warned that continuous extensions to leave allowances, the potential introduction of parental sick leave and the compensation for public holidays falling on a weekend were considered a ‘grave concern’ which would only serve to further erode Malta’s competitiveness.

At the same time, the Chamber stated that Malta’s state of ‘fullemployment’ had created significant challenges for the private sector to fill its vacancies, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Proposing a solution to this situation, the Malta Chamber called on added efficiency to the complex and burdensome work-permit application process for the employment of nonMaltese employees. The Chamber also proposed the setting up of additional fast-track processing schemes.

The Chamber also argued that given the advanced pace at which the economy is running, it was not acceptable that certain Government departments were hindering economic operation, by either closing shop altogether, or providing their services at a premium cost, in the afternoons of the summer months. The private and public sectors were the two sides of the same coin called the economy, and they needed each other to function well. Therefore, the Chamber called on Government to find a solution, at no cost to the private sector, to maintain uninterrupted services to business during summer afternoons.

The Chamber also called on Government to urgently establish the proposed Malta Development Bank, before several opportunities of investment, were lost.

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In its proposals for the Budget, the Chamber also stressed the need for Government to conclude the well-overdue merger of public revenue-collecting entities. A centralised and efficient entity would allow for the introduction of policy that allowed the offsetting of monies owed to Government against other amounts owed by Government. This would alleviate significant cash flow issues in specific economic sectors that are largely reliant on Government contracts as their main source of revenue as well as ensuring a level playing field.

The Chamber also made a number of other recommendations relating to infrastructure, the national airline, RTDI and access to finance. All the recommendations dovetailed into the Malta Chamber’s overarching objectives to exploit the current positive standing of public finances to rectify structural issues that threaten long-term fiscal sustainability, and to further enhance the factors that contribute to Malta’s competitiveness.

Budget Reactions Following its in-depth and fully comprehensive analysis of the 2018 Budget Speech, the Malta Chamber presented its reactions to Government. There was no doubt that the speech focused on supporting low-income earners and pensioners through the redistributive role of Government. The Chamber reiterated that this redistributive exercise must be made in full recognition of the private sector and its wealth-generation role in the economy. The Chamber also noted that the 2018 Budget focused more on a string of small measures which in their totality can lead to further positive social and economic development in the country.

The Chamber expressed cognisance of the fact that the 2018 Budget was the first in many decades to be drafted in a situation where public finances are showing a surplus rather than a deficit. The Chamber was encouraged by further convergence towards the Maastricht Criteria in terms of general Government debt and deficit, as well as by the rate of economic expansion of recent years.

The Chamber noted that its calls for Government not to introduce any surprise measures and new taxes were largely heeded, to the advantage of business momentum.

The offsetting of payments between private operators and Government was welcomed, after more than a decade of calls by the Chamber.

The Chamber also voiced concerns that were raised over the transport-related Budget measures that are deeply inadequate to solve a challenge of such scale in Malta, as

well as over little action taken to address present and future challenges of numerous industries such as labour supply and energy costs.

Events The SME Toolkit and the Start-up Strong Launch Event The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry together with Bank of Valletta plc held ‘Start-Up Strong, Tools for Success’, as part of SME Week Malta 2017 on Wednesday 4 October. The well-attended event was aimed at encouraging young people to take the start-up route and become entrepreneurs.

During the event, the Malta Chamber together with Bank of Valletta launched the Malta Chamber – BOV ‘SME Toolkit’.

The web-based SME Toolkit is targeted towards the younger generation with potential start-up ambitions and guides them through the crucial decision-making phases of setting up a company, such as the Business Plan, Acquiring Finance, Legal, Green Credentials and Marketing.

Welcoming the young audience, Malta Chamber President Frank V. Farrugia said that whether in the early stages of startup, or at any other stage of setting up a business, there would always be times when the entrepreneur questions whether the effort and sacrifice are worth it, but encouraged them to dream big, work hard and to exploit all help and guidance provided by the many organisations and ongoing initiatives.

The event also featured presentations by New York Best Founder and CEO Tommy Diacono, Think Founder and CEO Bjorn Azzopardi, and Albert Frendo, Chief Credit Business Development Officer at Bank of Valletta.

A panel discussion featuring Malta Chamber Director General Kevin J. Borg, Microsoft Innovation Centre Manager Mary Downing, Junior Achievement Young Enterprise CEO Julian Azzopardi, Intact CFO Nicole Cassar and Camilleri Preziosi Advocates Senior Associate Andrei Vella, followed. The event was concluded by Minister for the Economy Christian Cardona.

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Beyond 2019 – Strengthening Malta-UK Business Ties Teaming up with the British High Commission in Malta and MEUSAC, the Malta Chamber led a discussion on the desired nature of economic ties between Malta and the UK post 2019 on 4 December 2017 at the Exchange Buildings.

Key stakeholders including James Ashton Bell, Head of Trade and Investment at the Confederation of British Industry,

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Minister Christian Cardona, Ronald Attard, Stefano Mallia and High Commissioner Stuart Gill participated in the event.

The panel discussion was moderated by leading business journalist Vanessa Macdonald.

Malta Chamber President Frank V. Farrugia said that UK’s exit from the EU will most likely have a negative impact on the Maltese economy, given the close ties with the UK’s economy.

“Most definitely some form of trade arrangement will need to be retained and the Chamber looks forward to discussions on the matter within both the Government’s Brexit Unit and the Brexit Taskforce,” he said.

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Economic Groups

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In the past year the Sectors Department continued in its principal roles of coordinating the Boards and Committees of the three Economic Groups represented in the Malta Chamber, as well as organising information sessions on topics of interest to the members.

Importers, Distributors and Retailers Economic Group The Importers, Distributors and Retailers Executive Board met five times since it was elected. The main issues on its agenda were Geo blocking, Single EU VAT area, Unloading bays, Valletta parking facilities and Abuse in the free movement of goods. On the latter the Board organised a meeting with Ernest Sullivan and Joseph Bugeja, and with the Chairperson of MCCAA and the Comptroller of Customs.

The Board also has a meeting set with Minister Ian Borg to discuss the Valletta parking situation and the loading bays, and the impact of the driving license points system on the distributing operators.

Healthcare Business Section The HealthCare Executive Committee met five times in 2017. The Committee maintained an excellent channel of communication with the CPSU and held one meeting in 2017 and another in January 2018.

Due to an increasing number of topics on the Committee’s agenda, the Committee increased its members to seven and set up sub-committees according to the area of expertise of the members. The sub-committees hold regular meetings with the relevant CPSU departments to address company profiling, revised model for high volume tender, Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC), barcoding, bulky items, electronic invoicing, smart cabinets and other issues. This ongoing communication and collaboration with the CPSU is very important for both sides and enhances the Committee’s standing with this Government department.

The Committee’s agenda also includes communication with the Director of Contracts, the set-up of the NMVO and developments within Vitals Global Healthcare.

Professional Community Lead Pharmacists Business Section The Professional Community Lead Pharmacists Executive Committee held four meetings and the main item discussed was the new POYC Service Level Agreement and the request from the Chamber of Pharmacists to participants to pay €270 in order to obtain a copy of this agreement. The Committee also objected to some other conditions linked to the participation in this agreement. Following representations made by the

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Section, it was agreed that Chamber members would sign the agreement directly with Government and without paying this fee.

The Committee also worked to develop the details of the operation of the POYC which is expected to be implemented at the beginning of 2018.

Wines and Spirits, Beverages and Tobacco Business Section The Wines, Spirits, Beverages and Tobacco Executive Committee met four times in 2017. Items on the Committee’s agenda included the lack of unloading facilities, the development by Customs of a real-time online payment system, VAT on excisable products and the proposed amendments forwarded by the Committee to include the definition of ‘groupage container’ in the Customs Ordinance. In order to continue strengthening the communications channel with the Department of Customs a confidential system was set up through the Chamber to facilitate the reporting of instances of suspicions of illegal activity in the sector.

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The Committee also made contact with trainers from Italy to set up a similar course focusing on the design aspect of production leading to an IPC CID certificate.

The Committee was also active in providing opportunities for company visits to career advisors from the Education Department.

A frequently-discussed item on the agenda was the shortage of staff faced by the sector and the Committee looked for best practices also in the recruitment of nonMaltese staff.

Food and Beverage Processors Business Section

Manufacturers Economic Group The Manufacturers Executive Board met several times during the year in review following the elections in March.

The issues on the Board’s agenda were mainly a continuation of the work of the outgoing Board, namely the follow-up on the Regional Aid Study, the Careers in Manufacturing campaign initiative with Malta Enterprise, MEG representatives on the ME and MIP Boards, as well as following-up on the signing of Service Level Agreements between the MIP and the Tenants Associations as envisaged in the MIP-Chamber MOU signed in 2016. The Board also continued to lobby for better energy tariffs for industry and more recently for the identification of initiatives to address the worsening human resource/ skills shortages.

The Food and Beverage Processors Committee’s meetings’ agendas focused mainly on the lack of unloading facilities, the Household Eating Habits Survey, staff/skills shortages, the Beverage Container Refund Scheme and the issue of acrylamide in food. On the latter the Committee organised an information session with the participation of the MCCAA. The Committee also met Dr Charmaine Gauci, Director General, Department for Health Regulation, to discuss strategies to reduce salt and other selected nutrients for food product improvement.

In May the Board met with Marcus Beyrer, BusinessEurope Director General to discuss the main obstacles facing European industry. The Board also met Ing. Ray Vassallo following which Prof. Conrad Pace was named as its representative on a Committee to prepare a roadmap inclusive of all the academic and financial requirements leading to the introduction of course upgrades with the intention of ensuring a better-trained cohort of technical personnel for the industry.

The Committees forming part of the Economic Group also met throughout the year.

Electrical and Electronics Business Section The Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers Committee continued to meet in 2017. Its main focus was training provision and in July two IPC certification courses with trainers from a Dutch institution were organised and coordinated by the Chamber. The Committee approached MCAST to discuss whether the institution would be able to provide similar training.

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Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Business Section The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Committee continued to meet after the election of the new Committee and its main focus was the follow-up on the setting up of the National Medicines Verification Organisation. It also discussed developments at European and global levels which were of relevance to the sector.

Plastics and Rubber Manufacturers Business Section The Plastics and Rubber Manufacturers Committee met regularly following its election and focused mainly on discussions with MCAST on the organisation of a part-time Polymer Processing course to be offered to members’ employees in order to upskill them in order to partially mitigate the serious problems being met in the recruitment of workers. The Committee also met with Malta Public Transport (MPT) representatives to discuss the possibility of better transport links to the Industrial Estates. The Committee provided MPT with residential data of over 2,000 employees at the HalFar Industrial Estate so that it could aim to come up with proposals as a pilot project.

Services Providers Economic Group The Services Providers Executive Board met six times since it was elected. With the support of the Chamber Secretariat, the Board drew up a list of the Economic Group members showing the main area of activity and the Business Sections they belonged to. The objective of this exercise was to try and understand better the needs of these members and to identify if they could be served better with more Business Sections to cater for the diverse interests or through more horizontal committees which cut across the economic group structure.

The Board also discussed the Chamber set-up into separate economic groups and the possible involvement of Business Section Chairpersons into the Chamber structure. The Board’s objective was to look at a possible reform of the Chamber structure with the aim of bringing members closer to the decision-making process. This Board saw this as being done by creating two types of horizontal groupings, those based on a specific purpose and others of a more general permanent nature.

The Board also met a number of Chairpersons from the Business Sections who reported on the issues discussed in their Committees. These are reported separately for the individual Committees.

Financial Services Business Section The Financial Services Executive Committee met four times and decided to concentrate its efforts on identifying potential niches in the sector to promote to Government. It also worked to raise the Committee’s profile among the members of the Chamber and within the industry and with Government.

The Committee identified banking, attracting Islamic finance and the custodianship issue of AIFMD, as the sectors which Government should include in its long-term strategy and as the three key focus areas the Committee would concentrate on.

With Malta losing potential foreign investors due to the fact that the country lacks industry-specific business banking such as for the aviation and maritime sectors, the Committee identified Brexit as opening the possibility of such banks, looking to move or expand their operations in Europe, setting

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up in Malta in order to secure market access to the European Union’s Single Market. In view of this, the Committee has requested the guidance of the Chamber’s Projects and Internationalisation Department, through its collaboration with the Chamber’s counterparts, to assist in partnering local companies with foreign banks that specialise in the maritime and aviation sectors that would be able to serve the local market.

Information Technology Business Section The Information Technology Executive Committee held a number of meetings in 2017. The first objective of the newlyelected Committee was to identify the Committee’s focus areas for the two-year term. The five key areas identified were: strengthen ICT as a pillar of the economy, strengthen ICT MALTA, lobby for incentives for digital transformation of businesses, attract ICT talent and public ICT outsourcing. The finalised document was presented to Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, Silvio Schembri, during a meeting held on 14 July 2017.

The Committee is currently seeking Government’s direction about ICT Malta’s future.

The Board members of ICT Malta met four times since the signing of the Statute by Government and the Chamber in April 2017. Although the Board started the process of setting up ICT Malta, their respective letters of appointment were never

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received from the authorities. Following the 2017 General Election, a Ministerial reshuffle saw Mr Schembri as the newly-elected Parliamentary Secretary for Digital Economy and Innovation. During this Government transition period, ICT Malta was never registered by Government as a foundation.

The Board members of ICT Malta were not reappointed and to date ICT Malta remains unestablished. Several attempts by the Chamber to clarify Government’s intentions for ICT Malta have remained unanswered to date.

Logistics Business Section The Logistics Executive Committee continued to meet regularly in 2017. The Committee agreed that in order to pursue a more ambitious agenda, it needed a certain level of financial resources. To this end, it received approval from the Chamber’s Council for the Business Section’s amended Terms of Reference, and then proceeded to ask the Business Section members to contribute towards a fund through the payment of a yearly fee. This contribution entitles them to form part of the Chamber’s Associate Membership in FIATA and to receive FIATA Review and Information (FIATA e-Flash), and make use of the Business Section STCs. The Committee’s Deputy Chairman represented the Chamber at the annual FIATA Associations Meeting held on 31 March 2017 in Zurich.

The Committee continued to discuss with Government the creation of a Logistics Hub, and in a meeting with Minister Christian Cardona in December 2017 it was informed that Government plans to make available land in Hal-Far at a subsidised rate, to be designated as a freezone, for current operators in the Hal-Far Groupage Complex and for other interested parties. The Minister also offered to include the Committee in the task force working on ideas on how this hub could be developed.

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The Committee also approached a bank with a proposal for it to draft a paper exploring the prospects of Malta becoming a hub for logistics and effectively becoming a first port of call for companies transporting goods to Europe. The paper will analyse what would be needed to achieve this status and the potential added value to national GDP. The draft is currently in its preliminary status.

A meeting between the Committee and a Malta Marittima Senior Manager was held in September 2017, to discuss the possibility of collaboration between the Business Section and Malta Marittima on the development of an Integrated Maritime Policy. The set-up of a Logistics Cluster within Malta Marittima is planned to commence by end January 2018.

Shipping and Bunkering Business Section The Shipping and Bunkering Business Section Committee continued with its meetings. Most of its discussions focused on the national single window, the Ship Agency Act, the setup of a logistics hub and the lack of Immigration Police at the Freeport.

Tourism Business Section The Tourism Executive Committee continued to meet regularly and its main focus remained the growing challenges that the Maltese tourism industry is currently facing. Its agenda included MTA board representation, Air Malta, eco contribution, work and study visas, limited consular representations in certain countries, Brexit implications for the Maltese travel market, improvements to the cruise passenger experience and of tourism zones, enhanced enforcement, MIA, MTA action on information provided by whistle blowers, Insolvency Fund requirements, Conventions Malta and the meeting, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions sector.

The Committee drafted a paper to highlight the challenges facing the industry and to propose remedial actions. The paper was submitted to the main political parties as a preelection proposal document prior to the 2017 General Election and also to Government for consideration in the run-up to the 2018 Budget.

The Committee met with the Minister for Tourism to discuss the paper as well as with the Shadow Minister.

Yachting Services Business Section The Yachting Services Executive Committee met regularly and in its first meeting it was noted that the local yachting industry lacked a study on the economic impact of yachting on the national economy. The Committee therefore proposed a study on the potential effects of Brexit on the yachting industry with the support of the Malta Business Bureau and the Service Providers Executive Board. The Committee drafted the Terms of Reference for the proposed study further to which MBB would revert with its proposal on the way forward in terms of obtainment of budgeting and on a practical level.

As part of the preparations for the study and to identify issues for an action plan, the Committee, with the collaboration of EY, formulated a survey directed towards the local yachting industry. The survey was launched on 22 November 2017, and results are expected to be finalised later this year.

The Committee also continued to strengthen the Business Section’s channels of communication with Malta Customs.

Ongoing consultations about the supply of duty free fuel, inward processing relief and temporary importation were the key topics of discussion during 2017.

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In August the Committee met Wilfred Buttigieg, CEO Yachting Malta (YM), to discuss future projects and collaboration between the Chamber and YM. Following the meeting the YSBS received an invitation from Mr Buttigieg to attend a meeting with the Boat International Executives at the Monaco Yacht Show to discuss the possibility of Malta hosting the prestigious Boat International in the year 2019-2020.

Since YM is currently no longer operational, the Committee is seeking Government’s direction and lobbying for this unique opportunity not to be missed.

Following the recent publication of articles in both the local and international press, questioning the Maltese VAT treatment for the leasing of large yachts, a joint press release between the Yachting Business Section within the Chamber, the Malta Maritime Law Association, the Malta Maritime Forum and the Super Yacht Industry Network was issued on 16 November 2017 to explain that the Maltese leasing structure follows the same EU principles adopted by France and other EU member states.

The Committee remains active in industry stakeholders’ consultation meetings to provide Government with its expertise to defend and enhance Malta’s reputation.

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Policy Committees

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Energy and Environment Committee The Energy and Environment Committee continued to meet frequently throughout 2017 and successfully furthered its continuous endeavours to advocate policy positions that balance both environmental and business interests, while also ensuring that the business community remains abreast with and educated about environmental matters relevant to business operations.

Thematic Sub-Committees Focused on Waste, Transport, Water and Renewables During discussions seeking to establish a work plan for the 2017-2019 term, the Committee agreed on the need to specialise further and to propose concrete recommendations in fields of environmental and economic importance. With Malta at a crossroads in terms of its growth and development, the Committee recognised a timely opportunity to design informed policy proposals that balance the country’s economic development with sustainable practices in areas of the environment that have widespread impact on all businesses and society.

The Committee held discussions on priority areas and agreed to focus on 1) Waste, WEEE and Waste to Energy, 2) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 3) Transportation, 4) Water Scarcity.

The Committee agreed to establish sub-committees on the four priority areas. Each committee is chaired by a member of the Energy and Environment Committee, and granted the opportunity to set up a team of five experts.

The sub-committees are tasked with the formulation of workable policy proposals, the coordination of policy positions relevant to the specific field, as well as any lobbying deemed necessary. The sub-committees commenced operations in the latter part of 2017 and will continue to meet regularly throughout 2018 to achieve the goals set out by the Energy and Environment Committee.

The outcomes of the sub-committees will tie in to the Malta Chamber’s strategy to propose policy that ensures sustainability in all its aspects.

Forthcoming Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency Scheme In Q2 2017, the Committee was heavily engaged in consultation with Malta Enterprise and the Energy and Water Agency to design a scheme that provides fiscal incentives to companies seeking to invest in projects with energy efficiency gains.

The initial design proposed by Malta Enterprise was somewhat narrow in scope, with limited eligible industries and environmental technologies, and offering tax credits as a fiscal incentive.

The Committee strongly recommended widening the scope of the proposed scheme to include more eligible

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industries and additional equipment groups in order to compensate for lost investment support due to Malta’s upgrade to a ‘Transition Region’ in terms of the European Union’s Regional Policy.

The Committee also proposed a move away from fiscal incentives based on tax credits, arguing that tax credits may unintentionally disincentivise a number of potential investors engaged in consistent capital investment and hence already enjoying large amounts of tax credits. Instead, the Committee proposed systems whereby a tax credit is granted alongside a feed-in tariff of 2c or no tax credit applies but a 4c feed-in tariff is granted.

Human Resources Committee The Human Resources Committee sustained its efforts to discuss ongoing policy matters related to the labour market throughout 2017 and focused on sharing best practices among HR managers in Malta.

Linking Enterprise – Corporate Wellness The health and well-being of employees is quickly becoming a top priority for numerous employers in Malta. The establishment of robust and attractive corporate wellness programmes has become staple among service-industry companies and others are looking to follow suit in order to remain competitive.

During a Linking Enterprise event organised by the HR Committee at Atlas Healthcare premises, members were provided with insight into how and why corporate wellness programmes developed around the world and the reasons for their recent propagation in Malta. A wellness programme for employees goes beyond the provision of free private health insurance. Programmes offered by employers in Malta tend to include education and awareness on the ingredients for a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, fun physical activities, flexible working arrangements, healthy snacks and drinks at the workplace, as well as monetary assistance to purchase equipment or to participate in a list of approved physical and well-being activities.

Members had the opportunity to engage with pioneers of corporate wellness in Malta and learn from first-hand experience just how much the practices benefit the overall performance of employees at the workplace.

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Benchmarking Session – Employee Engagement With an aim to improve levels of employee engagement, the HR Committee, in collaboration with Business Leaders Malta, organised a benchmarking session on 23 March 2017 on employee engagement best practices. During the benchmarking presentation, Morgan Parnis, CEO at Business Leaders Malta presented best practices in employee engagement and the tools required to measure engagement.

The session provided an excellent opportunity for members to learn best practices from each other in such a way that allowed them to provide tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements of effectively assessing employee engagement in each particular operation.

Chairperson Catherine Calleja stressed the importance of employee engagement throughout the session, explaining that it pays for a company’s employees to be engaged, as engaged employees are dedicated, happy and maximise productivity.

established to steer negotiations on this Directive on the ground in Brussels.

The proposal seeks to introduce unprecedented minimum provisions relating to paternity leave, parental leave, care provider’s leave and flexible working arrangements.

The Committee recognised the positive aspects of such policies but also noted the potentially significant impact on competitiveness in numerous sensitive industries already facing pressure from non-European economies, and is in continuous dialogue with BusinessEurope’s task force.

Public Holidays Falling on a Weekend The HR Committee was also involved in discussions to establish the Malta Chamber’s position on the proposal to compensate workers for public holidays falling on a weekend found in the Malta Labour Party’s electoral manifesto. The Committee was instrumental in calculating the cost of such a measure on Malta’s main industries.

HR Policy Matters

More information on the Chamber’s lobbying efforts in this regard is featured under the Policy Highlights section.

Tackling Sick Leave Abuse

National Skills for Work Programme

In Q3 2017, the Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar spoke of Government’s intention to analyse sick leave trends in the public sector thoroughly. The HR Committee grasped the opportunity provided by the announcement, immediately approaching the Principal Permanent Secretary with a proposal to explore collaboration between the public and private sectors with the aim to mitigate the impact of sick leave abuse common to all forms of employment.

The HR Committee noted how sick leave trends vary depending on the industry and the level of an employee’s position, while members provided insight into the practices and policies implemented in different companies and the different results each practice resulted in.

Discussions with the Principal Permanent Secretary are expected to progress throughout the first and second quarters of 2018. The HR Committee is positive that the collaborative approach to mitigate the impact of this common and persistent issue of sick leave abuse, will result in workable outcomes for all.

The European Pillar of Social Rights and the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on ‘Work-Life Balance for Working Parents’ As part of its endeavour to participate in policy-making processes on HR-related policy, the Committee is closely following developments regarding the European Pillar of Social Rights and specifically the Commission’s proposal for an EU Directive on ‘Work-life balance for working parents’. In light of the potentially profound changes in employment practices to ensure greater worklife balance resulting from an eventual Directive, BusinessEurope requested the direct involvement of the Malta Chamber in a special task force

As part of the overarching strategy to increase the national average level of education in Malta, the Ministry for Education and Employment is evaluating ‘Skills for Work’ programmes implemented in other European countries with the intention to launch a local programme.

The HR Committee was consulted by the Ministry on the potential effectiveness of a programme wherein employees are provided basic, tailor-made and on-the-job training courses. The programme would provide employers with an opportunity to request training in basic areas of education relevant to their operations and have the course designed and provided by the Ministry at the workplace.

The HR Committee noted that while such training is already offered by other entities, the added convenience of training programmes at the workplace would definitely incentivise more employees to enrol and encourage employers to accommodate those wishing to participate.

Based on the positive feedback of the HR Committee and employers in general, the Ministry commissioned a project proposal which is undergoing evaluation throughout Q1 2018.

Following approval, the Committee is to be consulted on the implementation of the programme.

The Skilled Migrant Throughout 2017, the HR Committee supported the newly launched NGO ‘The Skilled Migrant’ in numerous areas of its operation. Primarily, the Committee assisted in the formulation of an effective website to ensure efficient provision of the NGO’s services. The primary function of www.theskilledmigrant.com is to serve as a matching tool between skilled African migrants based in Malta and employers seeking to recruit personnel with specific skills.

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The Marketing Committee is currently looking towards strengthening its Committee, and to this end, invites interested parties wishing to join, to get in touch. Interested parties should be members of the Malta Chamber.

Besides operating the database and website linked to the jobmatching service, the NGO also takes great pride in assisting migrants to enter the labour market by providing training in basic communication, CV writing and job application processes, job interview experience and etiquette at the Maltese workplace.

SME and Family Business Committee

Based on the Committee’s recognition of the value such an NGO can bring both to society and to the labour market, it has maintained constant liaison with The Skilled Migrant, provided numerous promotional platforms for the NGO and established a line of communication for representatives with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

The SME and Family Business Committee organised a number of events during the year starting with an information session in February on the excise tax system. This was followed by another session in March on the AEO accreditation system adopted by the Customs Department to facilitate business for recognised economic operators.

Marketing Committee

In April, in conjunction with Jobsplus, an information session was organised to explain the workings of the Investing in Skills training support scheme.

The objectives of the Marketing Committee within the Malta Chamber are predominantly to contribute to the development and recognition of the marketing profession, to help businesses to embrace the marketing function, to set standards in the same profession, to offer guidance on marketing matters to the Malta Chamber, and to promote an ethical approach and best practices in marketing.

During the period under review, the Malta Chamber Marketing Committee set up the necessary contacts and started a process of organising a company mission to Marketing Week Live in London. The aim of this mission is for participants to acquire knowledge, obtain exposure about the latest marketing trends and for local marketing professionals/ executives to possibly meet international counterparts.

Following a call for expressions of interest for participation from among Malta Chamber members, a number of companies expressed their interest to participate. The Malta Chamber Marketing Committee is currently having a series of one-toone meetings with the interested companies with a view to proceed with the mission.

In May the department organised an information session on the Family Business Act in conjunction with the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business.

In September, two sessions were organised, one with the MCCAA, which discussed the proposed EU Regulation controlling the levels of acrylamide in foods, and another with the participation of representatives from Identity Malta, Jobsplus and the Police Department to discuss the processes for the recruitment of third-country nationals, in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia.

The Director General of the Contracts Department was also the main speaker in a session held in November to discuss the procurement process.

The Malta Chamber Marketing Committee also makes it a point to identify and evaluate opportunities to synergise with other entities having common objectives. In this regard, the Committee collaborated with the Malta Institute of Management and was invited to a conference entitled ‘Marketing 2020 – Europe and Beyond’ held in March 2017.

The Malta Chamber Marketing Committee has also been consolidating the Malta Chamber’s rapport with the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) and plans are underway to jointly organise an event of interest to business and marketers.

Details of the event planned to be held later in 2018 will be announced in due course.

The Marketing Committee’s Chairman, Louis Olivieri also contributes regularly to the blogs within the Malta Chamber’s business portal on marketing-related subjects.

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Business Sections Executive Committees Electrical and Electronics

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

Yachting Services

Mr Conrad Pace Chairperson Mr Ruben Cuschieri Deputy Chairperson Mr Simon Alden Mr Joseph Bugeja Mr Joseph Gingell

Prof. Claude A. Farrugia Chairperson Mr Dino Mangion Deputy Chairperson Mr Jurgen Azzopardi Mr Franco Gatt

Dr Alison Vassallo Chairperson Mr Niki Travers Tauss Deputy Chairperson Mr Peter Fiorini Lowell Dr Cornelia Zammit German Mr Anthony Galea Mr Matthew Gusman Mr Kurt Gutteridge

Financial Services Mr David Zahra Chairperson Mr Kenneth Farrugia Deputy Chairperson Mr James Bonello Dr Malcolm Mifsud Dr John Ellul Sullivan (co-opted)

Plastics and Rubber Manufacturers Mr Kenneth Micallef Chairperson Mr Robert Borg Deputy Chairperson Mr Olaf Zahra Mr Kenneth Caruana Ms Doreen Cutrona Mr Ivan Gerada (co-opted)

Food and Beverage Processors

Professional Community Lead Pharmacists

Mr Brian Galea Chairperson Mr Alex Meilak Deputy Chairperson Mr John Sammut Mr Benjamin Brincat Mr Joseph Pace

Mr Reginald Fava Chairperson Mrs Marisa Dalli Deputy Chairperson Prof. Lilian Azzopardi Mrs Eliza Vella Mrs Pierina Zammit

HealthCare

Shipping and Bunkering

Mr Robert Magri Chairperson Mrs Vanessa Said Salomone Deputy Chairperson Ms Giulia Attard-Montalto Mr Marcel K. Mifsud Mr David Stellini Mr Paul Apap Bologna (co-opted) Ms Joanna Gatt (co-opted)

Mr Peter Sullivan Chairperson Mr Alfred Pace Vice-Chairperson Mr Joseph Chetcuti Mr Stephen Parnis-England Mr Ray Turban

Information and Communications Technology Mr Francois Grech Chairperson Mr Joseph Sultana Deputy Chairperson Mr Marcel Cutajar Mr Joseph Roland Scerri Mr John Wood

Logistics Mr Robert Aquilina Chairperson Mr David Fleri Soler Deputy Chairperson Mr Pierre Attard Mr Shawn Falzon Mr George Amato

Tourism Business Section Ms Genevieve Abela Chairperson Mr Alan Arrigo Deputy Chairperson Mr Jean Karl Farrugia Mr Ian Fitzpatrick Mr Ivan Mifsud Mr Iain Tonna Mr Louis Olivieri (co-opted)

Wines, Spirits, Beverages and Tobacco Mr Pierre Stafrace Chairperson Mr Alexander Arrigo Deputy Chairperson Mr Michael Darmanin Mr Tarcisio Piscopo Mr Stephen Rausi

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Policy Committees Energy and Environment Perit David Xuereb Chairperson Mr Godwin C. Micallef ViceChairperson Mr Mark Bajada Ing. Charles Cuschieri Mr Oliver Fenech Ms Mary Gaerty Mr Adrian Mallia Ing. Mario Schembri Mr Patrick Spiteri Staines Ing. Adrian Vigar Mr Nigel Mifsud

Human Resources Ms Catherine Calleja Chairperson Mr Stephen Bonnici Dr Matthew Brincat Ms Antoinette Caruana

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Mr Ray Debattista Mr Jonathan Ferrito Ms Alexia Frendo Ms Ruth Farrugia Mr Michel Ganado Ms Monica Incorvaja Mr Ivan Refalo Mr Nigel Mifsud

Internationalisation Mr Kevin J. Borg Mr Lino Mintoff

Marketing Mr Louis Olivieri Chairperson Mr Morgan Parnis Mr Chris Vassallo Cesareo Mr Edward Bonello

SME and Family Business Mr Andrew W.J. Mamo Chairperson Mr Marcel K. Mifsud Deputy Chairperson Mr Franco Azzopardi Ms Liz Barbaro Sant Mr Etienne Borg Cardona Mr Charles Farrugia Mr Frank V. Farrugia Mr Kynan Muscat Scerri Mr William Spiteri Bailey Mr Chris Vassallo Cesareo Mr Anton Spiteri

Chamber Administrative Committees Statute Revision Commission Mr David G. Curmi Chairperson Mr Matthias Fauser Mr Reginald Fava Mr Stefano Mallia Mr Kevin J. Borg Miss Johanna Calleja

Malta Chamber Commissions set up

by Statute Commercial Agents Commission (Statute Art 11.1) Mr Charles A. Zahra Chairperson Mr Anthony T. Camilleri Mr Josie Ellul Mercer Mr Frank V. Farrugia

Electoral Commission (Statute Art 6.1) Mr Josie Ellul-Mercer Chairperson Mr Louis Apap Bologna Mr Victor Camilleri Mr Michael Cutugno

Conflicts Resolution Panel (Statute Art 10.1) Dr George Hyzler Chairperson Mr Victor A. Galea Mr Anton Borg Mr Joseph Pace Mr Michael Scerri

Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (Statute Art 8.2) Mr Albert P. Mamo Chairperson Mr David G. Curmi Mr Louis A. Farrugia Mr Martin Galea Mr Michael Scerri

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Internationalisation

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The Projects and Internationalisation Department went through significant changes during 2017. In the first semester, the department was impacted by the sad passing away of Tonio Casapinta, VicePresident of the Malta Chamber and responsible for the Malta Chamber’s Internationalisation Desk. The department was reorganised with new employee engagements. Lino Mintoff assumed Mr Casapinta’s role and Kevin Mizzi joined forces with Rachel Micallef as Executives – Projects and Internationalisation.

The Malta Chamber, through its Internationalisation Desk, supports its global vision by providing initiatives and events, raising awareness and facilitating the pursuit of collaboration with other international organisations to foster business growth for its members, to achieve the following four goals: 1. Assist members to participate in partnering activities that develop and foster business growth through internationalisation.

2. Promote and provide business opportunities in markets that give tangible economic growth to members.

3. Foster the development of international trade cooperation through appropriate institutions.

4. Maintain excellent relations with international institutions that share similar aspirations for business growth through international cooperation.

The thrusts of the work of the Internationalisation Desk stem from three main areas:

1 The Internationalisation Survey The Internationalisation Desk identifies Malta-based companies which are engaged in international activities and conducts interviews with them on an ongoing basis. The data gathered identifies the countries in which the company does business, as well as the countries in which they would like to do business, and for each of these countries, the activity and sector are identified. The resulting data allows the Desk to identify markets and opportunities of best fit to the needs of exporting or importing companies.

2 The Business Councils These are horizontal committees within the Malta Chamber that focus on promoting business exchanges between Malta and specific countries or regions. The concept was developed as an internal policy by the Internationalisation Committee as a way of creating entities within the Chamber, so that the secretariat can ensure greater coordination, control,

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continuity and integrity. To this end, the Internationalisation Desk has worked towards developing a strategic policy to outline their establishment whilst ensuring a proper system of internal regulation and administrative support. These business councils have proven successful in activating members and even generating new membership, and they have become catalysts for the creation of events and activities which benefit the participating members as well as the Maltese business community as a whole. This is done through a systematic framework that achieves the targets set, approved by the Chamber’s Board of Management, and prescribed for the economic relations with these countries.

3 Enterprise Europe Network The role of EEN is to help SMEs to internationalise. This is done through the various services that EEN offers, free of charge, which include advisory support, partnering, organising company missions and brokerage events, as well as assisting in applying for EU funds and internal auditing.

This subject is dealt with in further detail in the chapter dedicated to EEN of this Administrative Report.

Business Councils Asia Pacific Business Council Mr Ian Mizzi, Mizzi Holdings Chairman

German-Maltese Business Council Mr Armin Eckermann, Eckermann Partners Chairman

Maltese-Turkish Business Council Mr Roger De Gaetano, Link School of English Chairman

Middle East Business Council Mr Peter Frendo, Mondium Ltd Chairman

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North African Business Council Mr Simon Alden, Bavarian Technology Systems Chairman

Scandinavian Business Forum Malta Dr Mark Fenech, Fenech & Fenech Advocates Chairman

The following are other activities organised by the Internationalisation Desk in 2017

1 November 2017: Doing Business with Colombia organised by the Malta Chamber in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, the Embassy of Colombia in Italy and ProColombia.

17 February 2017: ‘Malta-Turkey Business Forum: Cooperation Opportunities and Investment Environment’ organised by the Malta Chamber and the Maltese-Turkish Business Council in collaboration with DEIK and Turkish-Maltese Business Council on the occasion of the official visit by the Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

19 April 2017: ‘Business Forum and Networking’ organised for the European Centre for Economic, Academic and Cultural Diplomacy (CIDIC) delegation led by the Ambassador of Malta to Belgium H.E. Ray Azzopardi and CIDIC representative in Malta David Mangion.

3 May 2017: B2B meetings organised for visiting company from Greece in collaboration with Greek EEN Partner Karantonis Iraklis.

6 July 2017: Malta Chamber participated in Meet Your Ambassador event organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

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Outgoing Business Delegations and Internationalisation Trips A number of outgoing business missions were organised in 2017 by Trade Malta, the national trade promotion agency, as well as the Malta Chamber.

Trade Malta is a public-private partnership between the Maltese Government and the Malta Chamber.

Through its various Business Councils, the Internationalisation Desk assists in setting the agenda for Trade Malta by being the main point of reference and in a position to indicate the interest and aspirations of its members in international markets.

Malta Chamber representatives also participated in a number of seminars and meetings organised abroad.

Outgoing business missions in 2017 Date City Country Malta Chamber Rep 25 February3 March 2017 Oman and Qatar Mr Lino Mintoff Business Delegation led

by Trade Malta 25-28 July 2017 Accra Ghana Mr David Xuereb Business Delegation led

by Trade Malta 17-18 October 2017 Kyiv Ukraine Mr Frank V. Farrugia Business Delegation led

by Trade Malta 7-8 November 2017 Tunis Tunisia Mr Frank V. Farrugia

Mr Lino Mintoff Business Delegation led

by Malta Chamber

Seminars, conferences and/or meetings organised abroad

22 February 2017

19 April 2017

3-5 May 2017

Visit by delegation led by Confindustria di Firenze Visit by delegation from the European Centre for Economic, Academic and Cultural Diplomacy (CIDIC) led by the Ambassador of Malta to Belgium H.E. Ray Azzopardi and CIDIC representative David Mangion B2B meetings organised for visiting company from Greece in collaboration with Greek EEN Partner Karantonis Iraklis

Italy Belgium

Greece

Cooperation Agreements signed The Malta Chamber continuously cooperates with its counterparts and business organisations in other countries with the aim of strengthening its relations with them, collaborating in bilateral events and with delegations, as well as keeping its members up-to-date on internationalisation opportunities received by the respective Chambers and organisations.

A Cooperation Agreement is usually signed with other Chambers and organisations to formalise this collaboration.

In 2017, the Malta Chamber had the opportunity to sign Cooperation Agreements with the following Chambers: • 27 July 2017: The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Accra, Ghana • 17 October 2017: Ukranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Kyiv, Ukraine

Meetings with Stakeholders and the Diplomatic Corps One of the declared objectives of the Desk is to work closely with stakeholders, especially Trade Malta, Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta, Ministries and the diplomatic corps in Malta, as well as that of Malta abroad.

Date City Country Malta Chamber Rep 20-22 November 2017 Tallinn Estonia Mr Lino Mintoff The Internationalisation Desk is also represented at the Joint Enterprise Europe Network Stakeholders Working Council of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Annual Conference

by Lino Mintoff, Head of the Projects and Internationalisation 23-24 November 2017 Tallinn Estonia Mr Lino Mintoff SME Assembly 2017 Desk of the Malta Chamber. Monthly meetings are held 5-8 December 2017 Brussels Belgium Mr Lino Mintoff where stakeholders discuss market strategies, outgoing and Enterprise Europe Network incoming delegations, as well as events.

Sector Groups Chairpersons’ Meeting

Incoming Business Delegations Throughout the year, a number of foreign delegations come to Malta on business-related missions, be they institutional visits, delegations of businessmen or politically-led missions.

Delegations received at the Malta Chamber in the year under review Date Name Country 13 February 2017 Business Opportunities: Tunisia

Invest in Malta, visit by delegation from Tunisian Embassy 17 February 2017 Incoming delegation led by Turkey DEIK and Turkish-Maltese

Business Council on the occasion

of the official visit by the Turkish

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim

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Relations with the Diplomatic Corps

30 October 2017 Austria Candidate for Honorary Consul in Lower Austria, Mr. Andreas Prinz 16 November 2017 Palestine Chargé d’Affaires within the Embassy of Palestine, Mr. Fadi Hanania 23 November 2017 Belgium Minister Counsellor and Deputy

Head of Mission at the Embassy

of the Kingdom of Belgium in Rome, Ms Birgit Stevens 28 November 2017 Spain Candidate for Honorary Consul in Basque Country, Spain, Dr Inigo Nagore 11 December 2017 Bethlehem Candidate for Honorary Consul in Bethlehem, Mr Elias Alarja 15 December 2017 Poland Ambassador of Poland to Malta, H.E. Ms Jolanta Janek 9 January 2018 Poland Ambassador of Poland to Malta, H.E. Ms Jolanta Janek 10 January 2018 Tunisia Ambassador of the Republic

of Tunisia, Mr. Zyed Bouzouita

and Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Mounir Jomni 11 January 2018 Malaysia Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority Director, Mr Awangku 15 January 2018 India Candidate for Honorary Consul in

Mumbai, India, Ms Chandra Ruia 16 January 2018 Israel Mr Jonathan Pacifici and Fabio Perugia, President and Vice- President of the Jewish Economic Forum 26 January 2018 Turkey Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Malta,

H.E. Ms Başak Türkoğlu 30 January 2018 Turkey Chairman of the Turkish-Maltese

Business Council of Istanbul, Mr Halis Cakmak

Date Country Ambassador/Honorary Consul 22 March 2017 Canary Islands President of Canary Islands Special Zone, Ms Beatriz Barrera Vera 11 April 2017 Portugal Incoming Ambassador to

Portugal, H.E. Mr Francisco

Ribeiro Telles and Mr Eduardo

Souto de Moura, Commercial Attaché 12 April 2017 Republic of Designate Ambassador for the Macedonia Republic of Macedonia,

H.E. Mr Oliver Shambevski and

Mr Zulfi Ismaili, First Secretary 18 April 2017 Sudan Joint Stakeholders Working

Council – Ambassador to Sudan, H.E. Mr Charles Sultana 11 May 2017 Italy Ambassador of Italy to Malta, H.E. Mr Giovanni Umberto De Vito 17 May 2017 China Ambassador of China, H.E. Mr Jiang Jiang and Counsellor, Mr Zhangyiqi 18 May 2017 Russian Federation Representative Russian Chamber of Commerce, Ms Anastasia Budhyko 19 May 2017 Russian Federation Ambassador of Russian Federation to Malta, H.E. Mr Vladimir Malygin 19 May 2017 Czech Republic Head of Economic Section at the

Embassy of Czech Republic in Malta, Mr Jiri Jilek 29 May 2017 Croatia Head of Croatian Office in Malta, Ms Ivana Zerec 21 June 2017 Colombia Ambassador of Malta to

Colombia, H.E. Mr David Mangion 26 June 2017 Lebanon Vice-President of Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Mr Nabil Azir 28 June 207 Croatia Vice-President of Zagreb

Chamber of Commerce, Industry In 2015, the Malta Chamber entered into a and Energy, Mr Tomoslav Radosc consortium with Malta Enterprise, Malta Business Bureau and 20 July 2017 Pakistan High Commissioner of the Malta Council for Science and Technology to manage the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, local Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).

H.E. Mr Zaheer Pervaiz Khan 1 August 2017 Turkey Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Turkey, The Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s largest support H.E. Mr Carmel Vassallo network for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) 1 August 2017 Russian Federation Candidate for Honorary Consul with international ambitions. It has 3,000 experts across 600 in Russia, Mr. Alexander member organisations in more than 60 countries. Member Mikhailovich Aristov and

President of the South Urals organisations include chambers of commerce and industry,

Chamber of Commerce and technology centres, and research institutes.

Industry, Mr Fyodor L. Degtyarev 30 August 2017 Montenegro Ambassador of the Republic of The role of EEN is to help SMEs to internationalise. This is Malta to Montenegro, done through the various services that EEN offers, free of H.E. Dr Jaime H. Cremona 5 October 2017 Philippines Ambassador of the Republic of charge, which include advisory support, partnering, organising the Philippines to Malta, company missions and brokerage events, as well assisting in

H.E. Mr Domingo P. Nolasco and applying for EU funds and internal auditing.

Mr Theodore Andrei Bauzon, Third Secretary In 2017, the Malta Chamber, through its Internationalisation 5 October 2017 Kuwait Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Mohammad Alnuaimi and Projects Unit, actively participated in the Retail Sector 26 October 2017 Belgium Economic Counsellor at the Group by providing direct assistance to companies in the

Embassy of the Kingdom of retail sector. One of the meetings of this Sector Group was Belgium in Rome, hosted in Malta, bringing together experts from different EU Mr Jacques Castiaux

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)

member states. During this year, it also actively participated

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in the Chairpersons’ coordination meetings of different Sector Groups. The Malta Chamber organised one brokerage event in Malta, co-organised four brokerage events overseas, and organised one company mission through the Enterprise Europe Network. Through these events, over 190 companies had more than 800 meetings with potential partners.

Moreover, during 2017 the EEN-Malta Consortium embarked on a revamped approach of all its social media profiles in conjunction with going live with the new official website.

The timing of these efforts was directed towards dovetailing the online platforms together, making the technology tools work more coherently in transmitting EEN-Malta’s messages and promotion. In parallel with this exercise, the consortium produced a number of client testimonial audio-visuals to showcase its work in a more practical and story-telling way; aimed towards widening the reach within the business community and sensitising future ambitious businesses to the benefits which may be reaped by tapping the EEN services.

Finally, the EEN-Malta updated its communication strategy in such a way that it will be based on promoting more effectively pre-defined projects that the consortium will embark on in the next few months. This will enhance the actions that have been designed on the basis of clear objectives set, assuming more coordination between the partners.

Brokerage Events 8 March 2017: ITB 2017 Two Maltese companies held B2B meetings at the international matchmaking event held during the ITB Fair in Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show. This event was organised

by EEN partner in Berlin-Brandenburg, and targeted a wide spectrum of start-ups, companies, universities, researchers and clusters from all over Europe interested in expanding their business and sharing new project ideas in the tourism sector.

29-30 March 2017: Oil and Gas Business Meetings at OMC 2017 Three Maltese businessmen participated in the Oil and Gas matchmaking event that was held within the Offshore Mediterranean Conference and Exhibition (OMC) 2017 in Ravenna, Italy. This biennial event presented Maltese companies with an ideal arena for discussion on research and development, technology achievements and future challenges in the energy sector. The bilateral meetings offer to exhibitors and visitors a unique opportunity to find business or technological partners within the oil and gas, and related sectors. The matchmaking event was organised by Enterprise Europe Network partner SIMPLER Consortium in collaboration with the Eurosportello-Chamber of Commerce of Ravenna.

The Oil and Gas matchmaking event included a dedicated space within the fair where one-to-one meetings took place over the course of two days. The Maltese entrepreneurs held pre-scheduled B2B meetings with the entrepreneurs from the participating countries.

23 June 2017: EuroNanoForum 2017 Brokerage Event The Malta Chamber collaborated with Malta Enterprise in the organisation of the Brokerage Event at the EuroNanoFroum 2017. A wide spectrum of start-ups, companies, universities, researchers and clusters interested in expanding their business and sharing new project ideas in the nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing sectors were targeted. 165 companies from around the world participated in meetings with potential business partners during the matchmaking session.

22-24 August 2017: Gamesmatch Maltese companies interested in gaining access to new markets, up-scaling their technological base, marketing and so forth were offered a unique and efficient way to speed up their business meetings through Gamesmatch brokerage event at Gamescom 2017. The matchmaking event was organised by ZENIT GmbH and NRW.BANK from NRW.Europa as part of the Enterprise Europe Network.

15-17 November 2017: MEDICA 2016 MEDICA 2016 International Matchmaking event was organised

by Enterprise Europe Network partner, ZENIT GmbH in Dusseldorf, Germany. Two Maltese companies participated and held a total of 41 B2B meetings. The aim of this event was to assist enterprises, universities and research institutions in finding partners in Europe for product development, manufacturing and licensing agreement, joint ventures or other types of partnership. This international Healthcare Matchmaking event at MEDICA fair has been taking place for more than 15 years.

Company Missions 7-8 June 2017: Company Mission to Tunisia Twenty-six Maltese business representatives from 19 Maltabased companies participated in a successful two-day trade mission organised by the Malta Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry with the assistance of the NorthAfrican Business Council together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tunis.

The trade mission coincided with the State visit of H.E. President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca in Tunisia, which marked the 50th anniversary of the start of bilateral relations between the two countries. The President of Malta was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela and Economy Minister Christian Cardona.

The programme included a well-attended high-level MalteseTunisian Business Forum which was also addressed by the President of Malta and Youssef Chahed, Chief of Tunisian Government. Chamber of Commerce Presidents Frank V. Farrugia and M. Mounir Mouakhar also addressed the forum, together with Wided Bouchamaoui, President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Crafts.

This event, which registered approximately 100 B2B meetings was facilitated through Enterprise Europe Network, within which both Maltese and Tunisian Chambers operate.

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EEN Sector Group – Retail The Malta Chamber, as part of the Enterprise Europe Network, actively participated in two Retail Sector Group meetings that were held in Brussels and Malta on 9-11 April 2017 and 11-12 October 2017 respectively. The Sector Group is a delegation of business experts from various countries that come together to offer tailored support for services and retail companies with the aim of helping them innovate and grow internationally.

The two-day meetings discussed the work plan and strategic initiatives that are being organised in Malta and on a pan-European level to maximise partnering opportunities for selected companies. The Sector Group meeting also presented Network partners with a platform to stimulate the exchange of best practice and knowledge, and foster innovation to strengthen the use of eCommerce by retail companies.

Indeed, during the two-day meeting in Malta, the Malta Chamber also provided an opportunity for Maltese companies with an advanced franchise capacity to pitch their business to the Network of partnering experts from several European countries.

As evidenced in its Mission Statement, the EEN Sector Group – Retail aims at helping local SMEs that sell to other businesses or consumers from a physical or online outlet to develop their presence overseas – be it via e-commerce, distributors or franchise. As the way of retailing products and services changes around the world, the Sector Group also helps these SMEs establish a sustainable supply chain, partner with the right expertise and utilise the right technology.

Moreover, Lino Mintoff, the Malta Chamber’s representative on the Retail Sector Group was appointed Chairman in April 2017. This entailed the chairing of the Sector Group’s meetings as well as the respective coordination of the said Group at EU level during additional meetings of the Chairpersons of all Sector Groups.

International Scene BUSINESSEUROPE COPRES – Valletta, Malta – 4-5 May 2017 The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry hosted the BusinessEurope Council of Presidents (COPRES) meeting, with Presidents and Director Generals of the most prestigious business organisations from all over Europe congregating to Malta for the biannual meeting. The Council of Presidents, which is habitually held in the country holding the Presidency of the European Union met at the Agostino Portelli Hall at the Exchange Buildings on Friday, where matters of importance to industry in Europe were discussed.

Welcoming the delegates to the Exchange Buildings, Anton Borg, in his capacity as BusinessEurope Vice-President,

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said that the meeting was taking place during a particularly challenging period for the European Union.

“Steering Europe’s economic recovery forward in the past months while facing growing populism and geopolitical tensions on our southern and eastern borders, as well as on an international level, has not been an easy feat. Furthermore, the forthcoming elections in numerous prominent member states and the commencement of Brexit negotiations are further contributing to these unpredictable times – times that are far from ideal for business,” he said.

In conclusion, Mr Borg urged the delegates to appreciate the privileged positions they held to significantly influence Europe’s economies and societies. “We must leverage these positions responsibly in order to benefit the stability, competitiveness and growth of the Union as a whole,” he concluded.

Addressing COPRES, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia said that at this particular juncture in the life of the European Union, business leaders have an ever-important role to play to influence their respective governments to put competitiveness and economic growth at the fore of their agenda.

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COPRES – Tallinn, Estonia – 30 November1 December 2017 The Second BusinessEurope Council of Presidents for 2017 was held in Tallinn between 30 November and 1 December.

The meeting was hosted by ETTK, the Estonian Employers’ Confederation.

The delegates had an exchange of views with the President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid who spoke predominantly about her country’s competitive edge and experience in e-Government services. Indrek Omnik, Project Manager of e-Estonia Showroom gave a presentation on the same subject during a gala dinner held on 30 November.

The agenda for the Council meeting held the following day was characterised by intense and profound discussion on a number of prevailing issues in the European Union. These included the economic and political situation in a number of EU member states. Various delegations reported higher business confidence and economic growth, and a common theme throughout the debate centred on skills shortages in a number of member states. This subject, in fact, was included in the BusinessEurope message to the European Council ahead of the meeting that was to be held on 14-15 December.

The Council discussed subjects including Brexit, Growth and Jobs, and the European Pillar for Social Rights.

Anton Borg participated in a Group of Vice-Presidents meeting held on 30 November where the main items on the agenda were the political and economic developments taking place in individual EU member states and the launch of the procedure to designate the next President for the term 1 July 2017-30 June 2019. On this score, the Vice-Presidents noted declared nominations from the French and Swedish Federations whilst inviting further submissions until 7 February 2018 ahead of the final recommendations by the Group of Vice-Presidents.

Tripartite Social Summit Participating in the Tripartite Social Summit that was held in March 2017, then Malta Chamber President Anton Borg said that Europe is still facing persistent high unemployment, especially amongst European youth, which continues to afflict European economies even in the aftermath of the economic crisis.

“We certainly support the fact that the Maltese Presidency has made social inclusion one of its priorities. This would minimise the risk of poverty and social exclusion,” he said.

Speaking about the positive results Malta achieved in the last five years, Mr Borg said that Malta has undergone a major transformation in terms of labour market developments.

He explained how the major change came about from the policy makers’ recognition that active labour market policies were more effective in the long-term.

“During the last years, free childcare for working parents, in-work benefits for the long-term unemployed who return to the labour market, the reduction in income tax for the higher income earners, the establishment of a maternity leave trust fund, and incentives for people with a disability to join the workforce have all had a positive impact. All this combined with a remarkable economic performance led to an unemployment rate currently standing at 4.5 per cent, well below the EU average. Our biggest challenges now are namely labour shortage in both numbers and skills/ competencies,” he said.

Speaking in the presence of European Council President Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Mr Borg said that public authorities should work hand in hand with social partners and employment agencies to ensure that active labour market policies are effective in matching labour market needs with the available workforce.

“Coherent strategies need to include retraining opportunities as well as unemployment benefit systems that balance the rights and duties of the unemployed, and ones which avoid that the unemployed become dependent on social systems.”

Referring to the matter of wages, Mr Borg said that any changes in such, especially in minimum wages, should be in line with increases in productivity.

“If businesses are to invest to raise productivity, they also need to earn a return on that investment. Any wage increase beyond productivity gains would threaten one’s competitiveness in the global economy,” he warned.

The Tripartite Social Summit is a forum for dialogue between the EU institutions at President level and the European social partners at top management level. The summit is co-chaired by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Head of Government of the rotating Presidency. Employers are represented

by BusinessEurope, European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public Services (CEEP) and the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME). Trade unions are represented by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

EUROCHAMBRES Economic Survey 2017-2018 For the 18th consecutive year, the Malta Chamber participated in the annual pan-European benchmarking exercise organised

by EUROCHAMBRES. The European Economic Survey is the largest annual qualitative survey of business expectations in Europe and gathers the expectations of some 60,000 businesses across Europe on business indicators such as confidence, turnover, domestic and export sales, employment and investment.

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The survey, carried out in Malta during September 2017 garnered very positive participation from a majority of Malta Chamber members. This allows the Chamber to gauge the economic performance of its members with that of other European economies and serves as a strong indicator to any issues faced by the business sector during the period under review, hence directing the Chamber’s representation and lobbying.

The full results of the survey were published in November (accessible on www.eurochambres.eu) and showed growing optimism among European business, with sales, employment and investment all on an upward trajectory. Results also showed that concerns about access to skilled workers were on the increase.

EUROCHAMBRES noted that European Chambers are concerned that the positive business outlook may be significantly undermined if the growing skills mismatch across Europe, and particularly in Malta, is not addressed swiftly and effectively.

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) 2017 – The Year of the Presidency. Looking Towards the New Budgetary Period 2017 was the year that Malta took on the Presidency of the European Union for the first time in its history. This was of course a historic moment full of symbolism but also real progress and hard work on the ground.

As a member of the European Economic and Social Committee this was of course an important moment where, through the EESC, Stefano Mallia promoted not only the agenda of the Maltese Presidency but also of Malta itself.

As part of the work carried out during the Presidency, the EESC put forward three own initiative Opinions dealing with the areas of education, tourism and the new Cohesion Policy post-2020.

This final own initiative was where Mr Mallia focused his work in view of the fact that tied to Cohesion Policy are the Structural Funds Malta will receive and in view of the fact that post2020 Malta will not remain a so-called Objective 1 Region or a Country in Transition.

Given the importance of the matter, Mr Mallia sought to be and was indeed appointed Rapporteur for the own initiative Opinion through which he then embarked on a number of initiatives to first and foremost secure a good quality Opinion but also to put together and develop relationships which would bring benefits to Malta well beyond the actual Opinion.

With this in mind, Mr Mallia engaged with rapporteurs from the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Parliament to build alliances with like-minded people having a similar agenda which centred around the issue of assistance to islands within the EU post-2020. This alliance has now taken on a semiformal semblance in that it is forming the basis for current and future initiatives. In fact the three rapporteurs from the three EU institutions were invited to meet the European Commissioner responsible for Cohesion Policy, Commissioner Cretu to discuss possible future initiatives and ideas on the topic of islands within the EU. Apart from discussing the forthcoming negotiations of the next EU Budget it was agreed that there is also scope to discuss and look at other policy instruments that could assist islands in, for example, the areas of energy, the environment and state aid.

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As a result, a conference will be organised jointly between the European Commission, the European Parliament, the EESC and the CoR in April to map out the future of Cohesion Policy vis-a-vis islands and other remote regions in the EU.

to monitor the negotiations as they progress, inform the EESC of new developments as they occur and to undertake any initiatives and activities which are deemed to be useful within the context of Brexit.

During the drafting of the own initiative Opinion titled ‘Islands in the EU: from structural handicap to inclusive territory’ of which Mr Mallia was rapporteur, a number of meetings and activities with key stakeholders both in Malta and Brussels were organised with the aim of gathering as much first-hand information as possible whilst also giving the work being carried out and the issues raised as wide an audience as possible. One such event was organised in Malta during which a number of international and local speakers participated, and a considerable audience attended.

Through his involvement in this committee Mr Mallia has followed the Brexit negotiations very closely and was involved in various meetings with key players in the process.

Of particular significance is the fact that closed and restricted meetings have also been held with the EU Chief Negotiator and his team, thus providing useful insight into how the negotiations are developing as we get closer to the date when Brexit is expected to formally happen on 29 March 2019.

This own initiative Opinion was approved and adopted by the EESC plenary on 29 March 2017 by a very strong majority.

2017 – The Year of the Presidency. The Importance of Private Sector Investment In view of the Maltese Presidency, the Employers’ Group organised a Group meeting and a full-day event in Malta which had as its main theme the importance of private sector investment. This event saw the participation of all the key social partners in Malta as well as the Prime Minister and the President of Malta. It also saw an active participation of the European Investment Bank and the European Commission.

This event provided an excellent platform for discussion as to whether EU membership provides the right framework and environment for private sector investment to flourish. This was discussed both from a private sector point of view with active investors putting forward their views, and from a policy perspective with the Commission and the Prime Minister sharing their points of view.

Mr Mallia played a key role in bringing the Employers’ Group to Malta and in bringing together all the key stakeholders for a meaningful discussion. The Group was also given a very good understanding of the Maltese economy during a discussion with economist Gordon Cordina and a first-hand insight into the importance of FDI through a visit to ST Microelectronics and Toly Products.

Brexit – Appointment as a Member of the Brexit Monitoring Group On 23 June 2016 the UK voted to leave the EU. Predictably Brexit has continued to feature prominently on the agenda not only of the Employers’ Group of which Mr Mallia is VicePresident but also on the agenda of the EESC as a whole.

In fact, on 16 June 2017 a decision was taken to appoint a Brexit Monitoring Group with six members from all the EESC being appointed to represent the three Groups within the house. Given Mr Mallia’s already-active role on the matter as rapporteur for the Employers’ Group, he was appointed to represent Group 1 on this committee, entrusted with the task

Mr Mallia has also participated in a number of events, both in Malta and Brussels, as well on TV and radio, which have discussed the issue of Brexit, its impact and implications.

Moreover, Mr Mallia was appointed by the Government of Malta to a special committee set up to explore possible business opportunities for Malta that may ensue as a result of Brexit.

Promoting the Business Agenda Throughout 2017, the EESC continued to push and promote the interests of the European business community, tackling various issues such as the posting of workers, the social pillar and the future of Europe. During these 12 months, Mr Mallia has continued to take an active role in some of the key discussions taking place in Brussels and in Malta, both through his role as Vice-President of the Employers’ Group as well as his role as a member of the EESC. He has done this as a speaker in various fora as well as by building relationships with members of the Trade Unions Group and the Civil Society Group within the EESC itself. He has also managed to continue building and consolidating his networks with the other key EU institutions as well as with the Maltese Government, primarily the Ministry responsible for European Affairs and the Maltese Permanent Representation in Brussels.

Promoting and defending the business interests of the business community at large continues to be the sole driving force of Mr Mallia’s work within the EESC, ensuring in the process that he represents the interests of each and every employer organisation in Malta.

Malta Business Bureau EU Policy and Lobbying It has been a very intensive year for the Malta Business Bureau’s policy work, precisely because of an extensive list of new policy strategies as well as legislative proposals that were put forward in the past few months, and also, the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2017.

The legislative agenda was remarkably broad, with many dossiers emerging from the Single Market and Digital Single Market strategies, climate change-related policy implemented

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through clean energy and circular economy proposals, the building of a Capital Markets Union, the Social Agenda, the mid-term review of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework and dossiers from other policy areas on the table.

One cannot also forget to mention the starting of the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The MBB continued to play an advocacy role whereby it communicates to businesses the developments as it consults them to put forward the Maltese perspective in the political and technical debates that take place in Brussels at various levels.

Apart from its advocacy work, the MBB Brussels operations has set up various meetings with EU officials for companies with ad hoc concerns on specific EU legislation, while also continuing to build networks and to maintain working relationships as a main point of reference in representation of the Maltese business community.

database. Local businesses have greater access to information ranging from EU policy to business partnering opportunities, EU funding, market information, participation in brokerage events, company missions, best practice visits and B2Bs. Through the Network, MBB has provided information to over 1,000 businesses on the various existing local support measures and encouraged their uptake for greater impetus and competitiveness at national and European levels.

Specifically, MBB has hand-held over 20 local businesses on issues pertaining to tapping EU funds, tapping new markets, VAT, crowdfunding, and internationalisation, among others.

EEN Malta has recently launched a redesigned website.

Through the platform, visitors can take the first step towards establishing international partnerships with the right international partners to grow their businesses, find expert advice for growth and expansion into international markets, and find solution-driven services to turn innovative ideas into international commercial success.

MBB encourages local businesses to visit the EEN ‘onestop-shop’ site to see how the Network’s service can offer a targeted approach to all key economic sectors ranging from tourism to retail, healthcare to agro-food industries and intelligent energy to fashion and textiles.

For more information, visit www.enterprise-europemalta.com or contact MBB Executive Ana Vella on avella@mbb.org.mt

Design-Driven Innovation

For more information, contact EU Affairs Manager and Head of Brussels Operations Daniel Debono on ddedono@mbb.org.mt

Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU Throughout the six months of the Presidency, the MBB made its resources and European network available for the EU Presidency. It served as an intermediary between Maltese public officials and the European business community through the MBB’s representation office in Brussels.

On a national level, the MBB played a supporting role in several events that took place in Malta. As a business-representative organisation, the MBB promoted Malta and the conferences at every opportunity within its network, and whenever invited, was honoured to take on moderation and speaking roles.

In April 2017, Design for Europe partners – the Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA) in Greece, the National Agency for Innovation and Research (LUXINNOVATION) in Luxembourg and the MBB – launched a Horizon 2020 project, DesignShots.

MBB European Projects Enterprise Europe Network Throughout 2017, MBB’s role as an Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) provider continued to support local SMEs to make the most of business opportunities in Europe and beyond.

Through EEN, SMEs have a greater chance of becoming increasingly connected with businesses from all sectors overseas thanks to the Network’s extensive partnership

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The project aims to tackle the challenges that European SMEs face to integrate design-driven innovation and become more resilient.

Through various peer learning activities throughout 2017 the ongoing project is reviewing the applicability of existing design support programmes in the respective partner countries. The project partners are analysing the uptake of design by SMEs and identifying just how agencies and business intermediaries

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could better support enterprises to integrate design as an integral part of their innovation processes.

This year, the project will create a new service that will be tested and piloted among five selected SMEs in each partner country. The service will offer a diagnosis for the companies’ design needs.

The final outcome of this initiative will be a ‘Design Options Guide’ that will provide fundamental tips and recommendations thanks to several case studies and the compilation of expert feedback, to national business support organisations when introducing or improving existing design services.

For more information, contact MBB Executive Ana Vella on avella@mbb.org.mt

Business-University Collaboration: Go&Learn Network In September 2017, the MBB led a conference on ‘Bridging the Skills Gap in the STEM Sector’.

This conference was the culmination of the efforts of both MBB and the University of Malta under the Go&Learn+ project – an Erasmus+ initiative which established a network of multiple businesses and education institutions across 17 European regions.

INVEST: Financial and Forecasting Models for Entrepreneurs Towards the end of 2017, the MBB launched a free and publicly-available training model in financial literacy for young and inexperienced entrepreneurs. This model – developed as part of the EU-funded INVEST project – does not aim to turn entrepreneurs into accountants or financial experts, but rather seeks to improve their standards on simple, foundational skills that have an enormous impact on their company’s bottom line.

In essence, this training model has been specifically designed to address existing gaps in financial knowledge, within both the Maltese and the wider EU markets.

The gaps were identified following research investigating the existing level of financial literacy among entrepreneurs in the five partner countries, namely Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The research showed that young and inexperienced entrepreneurs wanted to improve their basic financial knowledge, preferably through an e-learning platform. Addressing this, the INVEST partners developed an online training model, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and in their preferred time.

At present, local stakeholders and experienced entrepreneurs are testing the contents of this training model and providing their suggestions for improvement. A fully-finalised model will be available for all in Summer 2018.

For more information, visit www.investproject.eu or contact MBB Executive Marija Elena Borg on mborg@mbb.org.mt

This network, which is virtually accessible online, provides access to an international catalogue of training seminars and company visits for students and educators, promoting a better understanding of the business environment and the potential for networking. Throughout the duration of the project, Malta successfully onboarded 14 local companies working in the STEM industry, more specifically in the ICT, digital gaming and food manufacturing industries.

Whilst the project has now reached its end, it has definitely served as an excellent opportunity to emphasise the importance of STEM skills for our economy and society – especially when considering the increasing demand for those skilled in STEM subjects. Relevant stakeholders and employers have also committed themselves to addressing the existing skills gap, specifically in the STEM sector.

For more information, visit www.goandlearn.eu or contact MBB Executive Marija Elena Borg on mborg@mbb.org.mt

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VITA: Developing a Virtual and Augmented Reality Trainers Toolbox In 2017, MBB embarked on the VITA project – another Erasmus+ project through which five organisations based in Malta, Greece, Romania and the Czech Republic are working closely with the aim of developing a novel toolbox by which adult trainers can attract, reach out and assist adult learners in improving their digital literacy. This is a subject of high importance to European and Maltese business.

Research conducted in the project’s initial stages shows that as digitisation penetrates more aspects of our daily life – from tasks at home to tasks at work – the demand for EU citizens to be skilled in digital literacy is fast increasing. The EU’s Digital Skills and Job Coalition (2016) reports how a staggering 45 per cent of EU citizens are still considered to be digitally illiterate.

This implies that adults need to be further exposed to digital technology.

To this end, VITA’s project activities will focus on enabling the training of trainers on the concepts and application of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology.

For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/view/ erasmusvita/about or contact MBB Executive Marija Elena Borg on mborg@mbb.org.mt

Investing in Energy

Additionally, in 2017, the MBB carried out an assessment of the environmental and economic impacts of the implementation of Article 8 of the EED in Malta (LN 196 of 2014, obliging NonSMEs to carry out energy audits at least once every four years, first deadline being 5 December 2015). The study also examines measures already taken or planned by 20 nonSMEs (i.e. c.a. 30 per cent of Malta’s total). The final version of the report has been compiled and is publicly available.

Another similar study will also be carried out later on this year, which will focus on medium-sized enterprises.

Through these energy efficiency initiatives, the MBB is not only supporting the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive in Malta, but also helping enterprises reduce their costs and become more competitive.

For more information, visit www.mbb.org.mt or contact MBB Project Manager Geoffrey Saliba on gsaliba@mbb.org.mt

ZAAR Zaar.com.mt, Malta’s only crowdfunding platform, enjoyed its most successful year to-date in 2017. The platform completed a total number of 22 campaigns over the course of 12 months, and a further two ongoing into 2018. Of these campaigns, 90 per cent successfully reached their target, with more than €85,000 raised across the board by over 1,400 backers.

ZAAR also enjoyed excellent results on its website, with 150,000 views and 60,000 unique website visitors. Other key milestones included the launch of the ZAAR Clinics which were introduced to share crowdfunding information and ideas to potential campaigners and to provide a space where would-be entrepreneurs could meet like-minded individuals. In addition, the ZAAR Crowdfunding Guidebook was designed to help potential campaigners kick-start a successful campaign.

Plans are now in place to continue this upward trajectory, with 12 projects already in the pipeline. Moreover, ZAAR continues its mission to introduce investment-based crowdfunding in Malta in 2018.

In 2017, the MBB initiated the Investing in Energy project with the aim of helping SMEs in Malta – particularly the manufacturing and importer/retailer sectors – to increase their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Over the past few months, the project has been doing this through complimentary energy audits, workshops for technical staff, management debates at business breakfasts, as well as providing regular energy updates related to businesses.

Among them, in 2017, was a two-day certification course followed by a half-day workshop on transport energy management, given the interest in transport energy efficiency.

These were delivered by leading European energy transport auditors Conor Molloy of Authentic Energy Management Solutions (AEMS) in Ireland, and Erik van Agtmaal of Altimedes in Belgium.

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For more information, visit www.zaar.com.mt or contact ZAAR Crowdfunding Manager Matthew Caruana on matthew@zaar. com.mt

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Examination Services IELTS (International English Language Testing System) In today’s world it is becoming increasingly important not only to know the English language but also to demonstrate such knowledge through credible and trusted third-party certification such as that provided by the International English Language Testing System – IELTS. Such requirements usually arise at the place of work, in education and in cases of emigration.

Businesses that require client-facing employees to be proficient in the English language are increasingly requiring potential applicants to submit an IELTS test report form as part of the recruitment process. This will confirm their ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Early in 2015 the UK Government chose the Malta Chamber to be one of the 10 independent centres in Europe where IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills tests can be held. These tests, which in Malta are held by British Council Rome under enhanced security and stricter procedures, are the only Secure English Language Tests (SELT) approved by the UK Government for visa and immigration purposes.

Additional information pertaining to the IELTS test can be sourced at www.maltachamber.org.mt/ielts

Other Examination Services The Malta Chamber is also an approved examination centre, and regularly conducts examinations for: Cambridge ATS, BMAT, ECAA, ENGAA, MAT, NSAA, PAT ELAT, TSA; Institute and Faculty of Actuaries; Lloyd’s; Nebosh – RRC; The Open University in the North; The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; University of Dundee; University of New England; and the University of Leicester.

Many students travel to Malta to study the English language, practise their skills within the community, and assess their proficiency by attaining an IELTS qualification. Such certification is usually a pre-requisite for students from non-English speaking countries who wish to further their education in English-speaking universities and centres of higher education.

Finally, proof of ability to communicate in English is usually demanded from persons who would like to emigrate, attain professional registration or seek employment opportunities in various countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The Malta Chamber was appointed as the only official IELTS testing centre in Malta in 1998 and it has been offering this service ever since. There has been a constant growth in the demand for IELTS testing in Malta in the last few years and in 2017 IELTS Malta offered 18 test sessions.

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Surveys The Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) conducts regular harmonised surveys for different sectors of the economies in the European Union and in the applicant countries.

included workshops and a number of technical presentations which explored how the survey findings reflected major events such as national elections, big disasters such as floods and earthquakes, and large sports events such as the Olympics and the World Cup.

The objective of these surveys is to gauge perceptions and expectations of operators in their respective sectors.

Internationally, these surveys serve as a lead and as a timely indicator of actual performance, and the data gathered is used to build composite indicators to track cyclical movements, both in specific sectors and also in the economy as a whole.

However, they are not meant to substitute official data on the performance of the sector. Emphasis is on short-term performance rather than on structural issues which would require more in-depth study. The programme allows for comparisons among different countries’ business cycles and has become a recognised tool for monitoring the evolution of the EU and the euro area economies, and applicant countries.

The European Commission does not conduct these surveys directly but does so through partner institutes established in the various surveyed countries and chosen through competitive tender. The tenders are usually for a number of years and the contracts always start in May. The Malta Chamber started conducting the Industry survey in 2002. The Services tender was won for the first time in 2007, the Construction survey in 2008, and the Retail survey in 2011.

The Malta Chamber has been conducting these surveys uninterruptedly since the said dates. The last Framework Agreement tender, for a maximum duration of six years, was won in 2015.

From the very beginning of the process the Malta Chamber had decided to partner with Pricewaterhousecoopers for the provision of bespoke survey software and this relationship still exists to date.

In November 2017, Malta Chamber Head – Quality and Administration John B. Scicluna attended the annual workshop on business and consumer surveys, which was organised in Brussels by the European Commission in conjunction with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The workshop was attended by representatives from various institutes and organisations that undertake the surveys in their respective countries throughout the EU and in a number of non-EU OECD member countries. The workshop allowed participants to share their ongoing working experience, and

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Administration Kevin Mizzi joined the Chamber in the position of Executive – Projects and Internationalisation.

Below are the highlights of work carried out at the Chamber in the past 12 months.

• Timely completion of premises for the Valletta 2018 Foundation • Completion of other maintenance projects (including new Wi-Fi system, toilet facilities for the disabled on ground floor, H&S guardrails, internal shafts, new office in Ante Room) • Organisation of largest BusinessEurope COPRES programme in recent years • Completion of Phase 1 of RSM project and renewal of Support Agreement • Completion of Phase 1 of BOV projects and renewal of Support Agreement • Organisation of high-level incoming visits during MT Presidency 2017 by BE (Emma Marcegaglia, Markus Beyrer), CBI (Paul Drechsler), BDI, BDA, MEDEF, Amcham Europe • Organisation of two trade delegations (Ukraine and Tunisia) • Holding of 32 Board of Management meetings • Holding of 14 Council meetings • Holding of Annual General Meeting, Council elections and elections of all Business Sections • Holding of 387 meetings (until 15 December) by the Chamber’s Economic Groups, Business Sections, Business Councils, Policy Committees. This includes a number of ad hoc meetings.

• Holding of 18 IELTS sessions and 2 UKVi sessions • Conducted 49 exams for examinations boards other than IELTS • The British Council held 77 exams at the Chamber • 52 functions were held at the Chamber by third parties (including HSBC, BOV, Trade Malta, EY, Lombard Bank, EESC, MIMCOL) • Valletta 2018 Foundation held a further 426 meetings in the Chamber Building • Filming for an ITV series also took place at the Chamber • Issue of 2,374 certificates of origin (14 December figure) • Issue of 52 editions of Chamberlink • Writing and publishing of 27 press releases • Writing/coordination of 31 opinion articles in newspapers • Delivery of one credit consisting of seven lectures in the series of lectures ‘Industry Insights’ during B.Com Course at University of Malta • Completion and online publication of SME Toolkit ‘How to start your own Business’ • Online publication of real-time commentary during the Budget speech • Organising National Conferences (‘Start-Up Strong – Tools for Success’, ‘Beyond 2018, Strengthening Malta-UK ties’, Brexit Conference with Paul Drechsler, Malta-Turkey Business Forum with the Prime Minister of Turkey).

• Production of a Malta Chamber commemorative wallhanging calendar for the Chamber’s 170th anniversary in 2018 • Constructed a unique business database of companies with 50 employees +

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ISO 9001 Since December 2010, the Malta Chamber has been certified by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) to be in compliance with the requirements of MSA ISO 9001:2008.

A revised version of the 2008 standard was released by the International Standards Organisation on 23 September 2015. Changes introduced in the 2015 revision are intended to ensure that ISO 9001 continues to adapt to the changing environments in which organisations operate. Some of the key updates include the introduction of new terminology, restructuring of some of the information, an emphasis on risk-based thinking to enhance the application of the process approach, improved applicability for services, and increased leadership requirements. Following a year of hard work to update its QMS to comply with ISO 9001:2015 the Malta Chamber was recertified by the MCCAA to this standard in December 2016.

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The objective of the Malta Chamber Quality Management System (QMS) is to support, safeguard and promote the interests of members, influence the formation of policy at national and European levels, and to ensure effective support services. The QMS is designed to provide documented procedures and a control mechanism to assure the quality of its service, provide controls for the prevention of nonconformities, and assure consistent delivery. The Malta Chamber monitors the effectiveness of its QMS, and its compliance with the requirements of the standard, through regular internal audits and management review meetings.

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Public Relations and Communications

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During 2017, the Malta Chamber continued to build on the successes of the previous year, with www.maltachamber.org.mt consolidating its position as the country’s leading specialised business portal, together with the complete portfolio of communications products the Chamber offers to its members and businesses at large.

In fact, in partnership with Content House Group Ltd, the Malta Chamber’s business portal, continued to provide readers with regular business news from Malta and around the world, as well as updates about the work of the Malta Chamber. The business portal remained a preferred source for quality content for every business person in Malta, interested in staying up to date with current business affairs, business opportunities and leading opinions.

The Malta Chamber online experience continued to be supplemented by the B2B directory and the weekly newsletter Chamberlink which throughout 2017, subscribers received in their inboxes 52 times.

Throughout the year in review, the Malta Chamber also continued to reinforce its strong presence and exposure through traditional media channels namely TV and leading newspapers, as it continued to contribute to the national debate on economic and business matters.

The Malta Chamber also kept its members and the public updated with its work as well as with its positions and opinions, through its own media channels. During the period in review 27 press releases were issued to the media and 31 opinion articles were published in the local press.

Six editions of The Commercial Courier magazines were published. The Annual Administrative report was also sent to members well in advance of the Annual General Meeting. The Malta Chamber also produced a fourth special edition of The Commercial Courier in December 2017. ‘EV/2018’ featured comments by Malta’s leading politicians including the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, spokespersons for finance from both sides of the House, leading economists and other commentators about their verdicts on 2017 and their ambitions for 2018.

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Media Releases 1

13 January 2017

Full disclosure is a must

2

20 January 2017

What Brexit means for business

3

30 January 2017

The European Single Market, investment and Brexit talks with PM

4

30 January 2017

Quick agreement for Brexit needed

5

7 February 2017

Integrating islands in the European Industrial Value Chain

6

17 February 2017

Speech by Mr Anton Borg addressing a business delegation from Turkey

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20 February 2017

Appreciation – JG Vassallo

8

22 February 2017

Maltese soft drinks industry commits to reduce added sugars by 10 per cent by 2020

9

30 March 2017

Chamber and HSBC renew collaboration agreement

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5 April 2017

Frank V. Farrugia elected Malta Chamber President

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28 April 2017

Business calls for political stability

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5 May 2017

Malta Chamber hosts the BusinessEurope Council of Presidents

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19 May 2017

Illogical decision to reduce English lessons should be revised

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22 May 2017

Malta Chamber calls for establishment of a task force on Malta Files

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24 May 2017

Chamber extends its congratulations to new Government

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26 May 2017

The rule of law is not an option but a must

17 27 June 2017 Keen response to Investor Clinic organised by BOV and the Malta Chamber with the collaboration of Saxo Bank 18

4 July 2017

Bank of Valletta and Malta Chamber strengthen ties

19 1 August 2017 Opening remarks by Mr Frank V. Farrugia on occasion of Council Meeting with the PM and members of Cabinet 20

4 September 2017

Chamber makes pro-competitiveness proposals for 2018 Budget

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7 September 2017

Bottlenecks for the private sector not acceptable

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15 September 2017

Employer bodies clarify their position on Public Holidays issue

23 29 September 2017 Second edition of Leaders for a Day offers opportunity for 43 students to shadow business leaders 24

4 October 2017

Start-Up Strong, tools for success

25

9 October 2017

Initial reactions to the Budget 2018 by the Malta Chamber

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17 October 2017

Chamber expresses condemnation

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26 October 2017

Malta Chamber meets Leader of the Opposition

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Nominees on Boards and Committees Malta Chamber Nominees on Government Boards and other Committees BICC – Compilation of a Property Price Index Mr David Xuereb

BICC – Advisory Board Mr David Xuereb

BICC – Regeneration of Property Working Group Mr Godwin Micallef

BICC – Education and Training Working Group Mr Charles Cuschieri

BICC – Building Regulations and EU Directives Working Group Mr Adrian Mallia

BICC – Research and Innovation Working Group Dr David Grech

Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC) Mr Charles Zahra Mr David Xuereb

Climate Action Fund Mr David Xuereb

Cloud Working Committee Mr Francois Grech

Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja Committee

Education Malta Ms Marisa Xuereb Mr Kevin J. Borg

Employment Relations Board and Guarantee Fund Administration Board Mr Frank V. Farrugia Dr Matthew Brincat

eSkills Board of Governors Mr Marcel Cutajar

EuCI European Certificate Institute Ltd – Impartiality Committee Mr Patrick Cachia

ICT Malta Mr Francois Grech Mr Roland Scerri Mr Marcel Cutajar Mr Matthew Sullivan

Industrial Tribunals Mr Reginald Fava Mrs Mary Gaerty Mrs Marlene Seychell

Jobs Plus Board Mr Frank V. Farrugia Junior Achievement Young Enterprise

Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) Mr Reginald Fava

Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) Mr Frank V. Farrugia Mr Kevin J. Borg Mr David Xuereb (alternate) Ms Marisa Xuereb (alternate)

MCESD – Competitiveness of Small and Micro Enterprises Mr Andrew W.J. Mamo

MCESD – Equal Pay for Equal Work Mr Frank V. Farrugia

MCESD – Parental Leave and Family Friendly Measures Mr Frank V. Farrugia

MCESD – Traffic Congestion and the Cost to the Economy Working Group Mr Adrian Mallia

Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) Evaluation Committee Ms Marisa Xuereb

Low Wage Commission

Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) Steering Committee

Mr Patrick Cachia

Dr David Grech

Malta Arbitration Centre

Malta Cruise Liner Network

Dr Matthew Brincat

Mr Ivan Mifsud

Mr Nigel Mifsud

Malta Business Foundation

Digital Malta Government Body

Dr David Zahra Mr Charles Zahra Mr Norman Aquilina Mr Mario Spiteri

Malta Enterprise Board of Directors

Mr Andrew W.J. Mamo Mr David Xuereb Ms Liz Barbaro Sant

Corporate Responsibility Task Force (Office of the President)

Mr Francois Grech

E.Business Awards Committee Ms Marisa Xuereb

Mr Chris Vassallo Cesareo

Mr Frank V. Farrugia Ms Marisa Xuereb

Malta Community Chest Fund

Malta Enterprise Board to Promote Local Products

Mr Anton Borg

Mr Joseph Pace

Malta Industrial Parks Mr Ruben Cuschieri

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Malta Statistics Authority (representing all employers)

National R & I Strategy 2020 Steering Group

Dr Emanuel P. Delia

Mr Matthias Fauser

Malta Trade Fairs Corporation

National Skills Council

Mr Gino Cutajar Mr Aldo Calleja Mr Mario Spiteri Mr Charles A. Zahra

Mr Frank V. Farrugia

Malta-EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC) Mr Charles A. Zahra Mr Andre Fenech Mr Nigel Mifsud (alternate)

Maritime Malta Mr Matthew Sullivan Mr Joseph Chetcuti Dr Alison Vassallo

Maternity Leave Fund Mr Andre Fenech

MCAST Board of Governors Mr Frank V. Farrugia

Ministry for Economy, Investment and Small Business – Family Business Act Committee Mr Lino Mintoff

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Joint Stakeholders Working Council Mr Lino Mintoff

Panel of Assessors Mr Louis Apap-Bologna Mr Hugh Arrigo

Mr Joseph Farrugia

Property Market Value Index

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP)

Mr Reginald Fava Mr Lino Mintoff

Rent Index Board Mr Reginald Fava

Responsible Gaming Foundation Mr George Debrincat

Retail Price Index Board Mr John B. Scicluna

Retail Price Index Consultative Committee Mr John B. Scicluna

Swiss-Maltese Chamber of Commerce

National Accreditation Board (Malta) Ing. Noel Micallef

National Employment Authority Mr Reginald Fava

Mr Joseph Farrugia

European Community Advisory Committee on Safety and Health Protection at Work Mr Joseph Farrugia

European Community Advisory Committee on Social Security for Migrant Workers Mr Joseph Farrugia

Mr Stefano Mallia

Mr David G. Curmi Mr Frank V. Farrugia Mr Joe Pace

Valletta Alive Foundation

Mr Nigel Mifsud Mr Joe Tanti

European Community Advisory Committee on Free Movement of Workers

Trade Malta

Mr Frank V. Farrugia

Monitoring Committee for the Structural Funds

Mr Joseph Farrugia

European Economic and Social Committee

Mr Nigel Mifsud Mr Joe Tanti

Mr Nigel Mifsud Mr Joe Tanti

Eurofound Governing Board

Mr Reginald Fava

Monitoring Committee for Operational Programme I, Cohesion Policy 2014-2020

Monitoring Committee for Operational Programme II, Cohesion Policy 2014-2020

Employers’ Nominees on Boards and Committees of the European Community (Representing All Malta’s Employers)

Valletta 2018 Foundation

Mr Charles Borg

Working Committee on Pricing of Medicine Products

BusinessEurope – The Confederation of European Business

Mr Anton Borg

BusinessEurope Entrepreneurship and SMEs Committee Mr Lino Mintoff

BusinessEurope Executive Committee

Healthcare Business Section Pharma Manufacturers Business Section Lead Professional Pharmacists Business Section

MBB President

Working Group – Cruise Liner Operations

EUROCHAMBRES DG’s Committee

Mr Robert C. Aquilina

Youth Guarantee Committee Mr Chris Vassallo Cesareo

Mr Kevin J. Borg

EUROCHAMBRES Board of Directors

Mr Kevin J. Borg

Malta Development Bank Mr Paul Abela

Occupational Health and Safety Authority Board Mr Joe Delia

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