Founded in October 1996, the Malta Business Bureau represents the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association in Brussels and Malta, focusing on EU advocacy work in relation to evolving EU policy, regulatory and legislative initiatives affecting the local business scenario, by liaising directly with several European and local counterparts.
The MBB is currently composed of two offices, the Head Office in Malta and the Representation Office in Brussels, and is given direction by a board of Trustees, which is composed of senior officials nominated by the Malta Chamber and the MHRA.
The MBB Brussels office maintains direct contact with Eurochambres, BUSINESSEUROPE and HOTREC on all EU policy and funding issues which have a direct effect on Maltese business. Over the years the synergies achieved have been notable, especially through the realisation that the Maltese business community requires a direct channel to the various EU institutions which initiate proposals for a number of wide-ranging policies.
Services
The MBB offers a range of services for local businesses. Amongst these, the MBB offers an opportunity for members to disseminate partner search facility amongst our wide cross-section of foreign contacts. Internationalisation has become fundamental for business and by gaining access to the MBB's network we can facilitate the search for European partners in other EU member states, in order to widen business horizons. The MBB can circulate your partner search with contacts including the member organisations of Eurochambres, BUSINESSEUROPE and HOTREC. These organisations are specialised in assisting European business to thrive in the most competitive scenarios, and the advice is free of charge to members.
EU Funding Guidance
Various funding opportunities exist for business innovation, development, upgrading, research investment and others which contribute towards resource-efficient management within business. Funding opportunities can be a complex maze at times, where a plethora of such opportunities exist. The MBB regularly updates members on EU funding programmes which are relevant to the business community, and offers guidance in understanding the calls for project proposals, the relevant documentation and financial implications linked to the respective EU funding programmes.
EU Legislative Advice
The MBB is committed to the advancement of local companies, which enjoy access to the European single market with many potential commercial opportunities for conducting and wherever possible expanding business. Maximising this potential is possible once businesses grasp the extent of the benefits through participating in such a large marketplace. To this end the MBB provides business advisory services with regards to European legislation, and policies which may hinder business development and growth, providing tailor-made guidance in respect to the query.
Communication
The MBB organises seminars, issues position papers, undertakes projects, publishes articles in the media, as well as, issuing Business Agenda, a quarterly publication distributed to all leading business, relevant authorities, and also to a number of interest groups and EU policy-makers in Brussels. Business Agenda provides insightful analysis on the latest business and EU developments discerning their implications on the local business community.
Notices and Articles
2013
2012
MBB EU Single Market Essay Competition 2012
On the occasion of celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the European Single Market, the Malta Business Bureau is launching the first edition of its EU Business Affairs Award with an essay competition open to students from the University of Malta, MCAST and ITS.
Entries should not be longer than 1,500 words, and applicants are to choose one of the following titles:
1. 1992 – 2012: Twenty years on, has the European Single Market served the purpose of what it was created to achieve? Discuss.
2. The four freedoms are the keystone principles of the European single market. To what extent have these principles been transposed into reality thereby facilitating cross-border trade in the EU internal market?
3. How is the Digital Single Market re-shaping e-commerce and the way of doing business in the 21st century?
Essays should be forwarded to MBB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joe Tanti, via email: info@mbb.org.mt by not later than Friday 28th September 2012. Essays will be judged on various criteria, including relevance to the subject, development of the argument, and originality.
The winner will be declared on Tuesday 16th of October during an MBB event as part of the Single Market Week celebrations. Official certificates will be handed to the three best entries whilst the winning essay will be published in an MBB publication. The winner will also receive a prize.
Project
The EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Project was launched by Minister Mario de Marco at the Exchange Buildings in Valletta, during an event attended by representatives from many businesses and hotels that are being offered help to save water.
Minister de Marco thanked project partners the Malta Business Bureau, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association for managing to secure EU funding support from the Life Plus programme. This, he remarked, was a particularly challenging endeavour in its own right since this project competed with over 700 other proposals from other countries, of which only a quarter was actually selected for funding last year.
The project is providing enterprises with expertise to identify water savings solutions, based on analysis of their water consumption. Although the project has only just been launched, several hotels and businesses have already engaged the project to identify solutions allowing them to save water.
Addressing attendees, Mr John A. Huber, President of the Malta Business Bureau, the lead project partner, explained that: “The project partnership looks forward to helping these enterprises and many more to reduce water consumption, and consequently their utility bills. This will also reduce pressure on Malta's scarce fresh water reserves.”
Malta is acknowledged as one of the top ten countries worldwide for water scarcity. Groundwater is the only source of fresh water; however, it is unsustainably exploited. In fact, 48% more groundwater is extracted than is recharged on an annual basis.
Mr. Tancred Tabone, President of the Malta Chamber stated that: “The project will be of direct benefit to business and hotels as the reduction in water consumption will also lower their operating costs. Water conservation should be one of the main priorities for all business operations as the desalination of water is directly linked to our electricity consumption and subsequent tariffs.”
Mr Anthony Zahra, President of project partner the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, concluded by stating: “The project integrates business interests and environmental protection, while providing an expert service at no cost to businesses. We feel the project is an excellent example of how business and environmental protection can go hand in hand for the benefit of all.” This is the first national initiative of this scale addressing the sustainable use of water in Malta to be carried out by a local partnership. The project started in October 2011 and will run until March 2014. Over the course of these 30 months the project aims to help interested businesses and hotels reduce their service water consumption by at least 10%.
These services are brought to local companies free of charge by leading project partner the Malta Business Bureau, supported by partners The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. The project receives 50% co-financing under the European Community’s LIFE funding programme, with the Office of the Prime Minister as the main co-financier, further co-financing and sponsorship from Easydry Malta, APS Bank, Island Hotels Group, and MSV LIFE.
LIFE+ Vacancies
The MBB’s EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Project is seeking to recruit two assistants to the Water Expert. Duties include carrying out water audits in businesses and hotels and presenting follow up reports. Deadline for applications is 5th October 2012 – view the vacancy details here.
For further information please contact:
Geoffrey Saliba,
EU LIFE+ Investing in
Water Project Manager
on email: gsaliba@mbb.org.mt
Tel: 21 251 719
Latest Documents
Annual Report 2009
Business Agenda Nov-Dec 2009
Settling Late Payments on Time
Contact Details
Malta Office
Casa Leone,
Pjazza Robert Samut,
Floriana.
Tel: 0035621251719
Email: info@mbb.org.mt
Brussels Office
Avenue d'Auderghem
B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 0032 (0) 25026091
Mob: 0032485981124
Fax: 003227360855
Email: infobrussels@mbb.org.mt
www.mbb.org.mt