300 business owners attend SME 2022 Conference

Nov 25 2022

The Malta Chamber of SMEs organised a successful edition of the SME Conference 2022 in collaboration with Business first and Malta Enterprise on Thursday.

With the theme of SMEs Maximising resources, 300 participants attended the conference which focused on the main challenges and business are currently facing.

From boosting productivity to employee retention or surging foreign quality workers to sustainable achievements being tackled, Malta Chamber of SMEs President Mr Paul Abela said that a new forward looking perspective can be taken as COVID-19 is a thing of the past.

Enterprise Minister Miriam Dalli reiterated the government’s commitment to support companies in their twin transition towards a sustainable and digital business model whilst becoming more competitive.

On his part, Minister for the Economy Silvio Schembri highlighted the governmental assistance to business and how it is helping to operate smoothly and further scale up operations.

Among these were recovery plans wherein businesses can apply for funds to improve operations in terms of digital and energy efficient terms.

The SME Conference is well renowned for its organised networking sessions and participants had the opportunity to network with fellow business people from different sectors.

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Pro-choice activists call out PN leader’s position as opposite of pro-life

Nov 25 2022

Following a video statement by Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech opposing the new bill which opens up abortion in cases of endangerment to the life of the woman, pro-choice activists called out the leader’s position on the matter.

Describing the Nationalist Party as the only political force in favour of life on the island, the statement did not go down well with Doctors for Choice Malta.

‘No, this is not “pro-life” the statement by the NGO read. ‘It’s the opposite because you will be voting against a law that will protect the lives and health of pregnant women.’

‘Opposing this law is not “pro-life” at all, unless the lives of pregnant women don’t matter’ the statement ended. The bill was announced by Health Minister Chris Fearne following the Andrea Prudente Case.

This saw an American woman on a holiday in Malta being denied access to abortion when her pregnancy was deemed unfeasible. The case made international headlines due to Malta’s blanket abortion ban.

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SME Chamber kicks off platform to promote local Black Friday deals

Nov 25 2022

The Black Friday Malta website launched earlier this month to attract more interest from shoppers and businesses alike.

For this year’s edition, the SME Chamber launch a new website, www.blackfridaymalta.eu, a website to promote businesses black Friday offers but also provides an easy tool for customers to search for offers.

The initiative was launched during a press conference earlier this month by Minister for Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri

Speaking to BusinesNow.mt, Abigail Agius Mamo, the Chamber of SMEs CEO, explained that the platform is open to all forms of business.

Shoppers are able tor register with the site and thus put themselves in the running daily draw of vouchers from the businesses participating in promotion.

The aim is to create momentum for local businesses during Black Friday to incentivise shopping local. Visitors not only learn about the offers available from Maltese outlets, but create more visibility for local businesses.

“Every year, Black Friday marks a very important period for shopping, an important milestone for businesses. Given that this will be the first proper one after COVID, it is a very important one,” concluded Ms Agius Mamo.

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PN MP highlights issues with bottle recycling scheme

Nov 25 2022

Taking to social media, PN MP Justin Schembri highlighted some of the apparent issues surrounding the Beverage Container Refund Scheme.

‘I feel like the government has gotten the public pleading for what is rightfully theirs’ he said.

He went on to explain the established procedure associated with the vending machine scheme. A tax of 10c was introduced on every purchased bottle, which can only be reimbursed by waiting in line to put these bottles in a recycling vending machine.

‘You must then go and swap your coupons to earn your money back’, despite this not being available at every store in contrast to the tax being nationally universal.

He went on to say that for people like him who have been, and will continue to, recycling, this measure is only tax. ‘Whilst I understand the importance of recycling, this is only theft for a population already practicing recycling’ he said.

‘Wouldn’t it be better if no bottles have an increased tax and whoever wishes continues to trade coupons earned from the vending machines? But it is shameful to force me to do so’ he concluded.

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