Month: September 2022

On Friday, 16th September, the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) held an informative webinar discussing the details of the European Union’s proposed Data Act and its local implications. The Data Act is one priority that stems from the European Data Strategy which aims to make the EU a leader in today’s data-driven society.

The webinar was introduced by MBB President, Ms Alison Mizzi who highlighted the importance of understanding the potential of data and how the wide use of this data across the member states can set us up for a better and more prosperous future. During her address, Ms Mizzi remarked that ‘’within the business context, facilitated data access is one of the pathways in achieving this Business resilience as more businesses are encouraged to innovate and grow through the use of secure and dynamic data.’’

Dr Marthese Portelli, CEO at The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, commented on the Data Act from the Maltese businesses perspective. Dr Portelli referred to statistics in emphasising the importance of legislating correctly stating that “data is an untapped potential which all business can benefit from. Current use is very low with statistics showing that only 20% of industrial data is put to good use. We need to establish a fair system of what can be shared, with whom and on what basis.”

Ms Maria Rosaria Coduti from DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology at the European Commission gave an in-depth presentation of the EU Data Act and what it constitutes of. She explained to the audience, which was predominantly made up of business leaders, that the Data Act comes at an opportune time as it tackles hinderances to Europe’s development of its data economy by tackling the high transaction costs of data sharing, the insufficient availability of data for reuse and the existent regulatory fragmentation.

Dr Paul Micallef Grimaud, Partner at Ganado advocates, presented a review of the more salient articles of this Data Act from a legal perspective. Dr Micallef Grimaud explained how through the Data Act “manufacturers of connected products and providers of related services are obliged to make data generated through the use of the products or services available, by default, to the user in an easy, secure and directly accessible manner.”

Following the main presentations, questions were fielded from the audience in clarifying the points that the speakers had presented as well as getting the main reaction from Maltese businesses in light of the proposed EU Data Act. Some noteworthy points raised focused on the enforcement and training in regulating the use of this data, the Act’s interoperability with other frameworks and whether this Act would create the need for new personnel or offices in tackling the obligations under the framework.

The Malta Business Bureau is the EU-business advisory office of The Malta Chamber and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. The Malta Business Bureau is a partner of the Enterprise Europe
Network.

On the 19th of September, the European Commission announced a new proposal for a Single Market Emergency Instrument (SMEI). This builds on lessons learnt from the Covid-19 crisis and creates a framework that enhances the Single Market’s resilience through appropriate and necessary crisis preparedness and crisis management actions to guarantee its smooth functioning in times of crises. This way, the SMEI will strive to avoid barriers to free movement of persons, goods, and services in the European Single Market and especially the disruption of supply chains. The Malta Business Bureau supports the European Commission´s effort at securing a properly functioning European Single Market in times of crises if this is done under well-defined criteria that
would trigger crisis-mitigating measures.

MBB President Alison Mizzi stated, “It is crucial that the scope of SMEI is narrow and targeted in ensuring that in crisis situations the imposed emergency controls are timely and information is easily
accessible to businesses and citizens alike. It must be clear that the imposition of this definite response framework needs to be imposed only during extraordinary circumstances and that the definition of what constitutes this must be clear and homogenously agreed on.”

“Although we support an overarching crisis response framework this needs to subscribe to the principle of proportionality and avoids the imposition of excessive market monitoring. The Commission should only be required to obtain commercially sensitive information from businesses through a common agreed framework where an emergency mode has been activated. Companies must also be guaranteed that any information provided is protected.”, Ms Mizzi continued.

In its first reaction, the Malta Business Bureau therefore believes that companies may benefit from the SMEI instrument through better foresight and planning for emergencies, less trade restrictions, less delays in production and lower prices of inputs as well as more legal certainty and predictability. Moving forward, the Malta Business Bureau will be analysing the proposed SMEI in more detail and will strive to ensure that it is aligned with the Maltese businesses’ interests. To this end, it shall continue following the developments in the European Parliament and the EU Council in the coming
months where EU negotiations will follow.

The Malta Business Bureau is the EU-business advisory office of The Malta Chamber and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association. The Malta Business Bureau is a partner of the Enterprise Europe
Network.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and BMIT Technologies have renewed their Bronze Collaboration Agreement for a second term. The collaboration will pair BMIT Technologies with the Digital Transformation Committee to increase awareness within the local business community in matters related to the tech economy, data and cyber security amongst others.

Ahead of the signing, President of The Malta Chamber, Marisa Xuereb, emphasised the importance of digitalisation, so much so, that it plays a critical role as one of the pillars of The Chamber. “Digitalisation and the uptake of technological innovations are high on the agenda. Thus, we are extremely pleased to once again partner with BMIT, a leader within the local tech industry. Through their invaluable expertise, The Malta Chamber will continue spearheading the benefits of implementing digitalisation efforts within any business,” said President Xuereb.

“Higher agility, improved competitive advantage and lower operations costs are just some of the advantages that digital technology can provide when being implemented by businesses. We are certain that this collaboration will help the local business realise how essential digitalisation is,” noted Xuereb.

“Our partnership with The Malta Chamber is part of BMIT’s mission to advise and assist the business community. The Chamber offers the ideal platform to lead and help develop members on their digital transformation journey and this sponsorship gives us another opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the Chamber itself and Maltese businesses in general,” said Ing Christian Sammut, CEO at BMIT Technologies plc.

The Bronze Collaboration Agreement was signed by Marisa Xuereb and Christopher Vassallo Cesareo as President and Deputy President of The Malta Chamber, respectively, and Ing Christian Sammut, CEO at BMIT Technologies plc.

The Malta Chamber CEO, Dr Marthese Portelli, led a meeting with Jesmond Muscat, CEO of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

During the meeting several points were discussed including:
• enhanced effective communication between BCA and the Planning Authority to ensure better compliance and proper enforcement
• how to ensure the take-up of sustainable building materials and moving towards Net Zero buildings
• the current state of play of the Building Codes and Fire Regulations
• the current state of play with respect to the Building Passport
• the importance of licensing of contractors
• the importance of an education and dissemination campaign for professionals and the general public highlighting legal requirements, in particular those regarding energy efficiency
• the importance of ensuring that BCA has the necessary skilled and specialized resources

The Malta Chamber is concerned that the targets set out in the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive will not be reached unless immediate and due consideration is given to the above. The Malta Chamber remains committed to positive change and for this reason is setting up a number of Working Groups on the subject matter.

The Malta Chamber and RSM Malta have renewed their Gold Collaboration Agreement for a third term with the aim of supporting the Human Resources Committee. Both parties will collaborate in the establishment of policies related to talent, labour costs, productivity, industrial relations, work practices and the labour market.

“Human resources play a vital role in boosting a country’s economic development which in turn effectively increases its competitiveness in international markets. With this in mind, I am very pleased to be signing this renewed agreement with RSM Malta, with whom we have collaborated closely over the last years,” said Marisa Xuereb, The Malta Chamber President.

Throughout the years, The Malta Chamber and RSM Malta have worked closely together in supporting the local business community and raising awareness around workforce and talent management. In August of last year, both parties launched ‘The National Workforce Strategy’, which aimed at outlining recommendations to nurture, attract, retain and upskill talent so as to boost productivity and increase the added value provided by the workforce.

“It is a privilege to have renewed this agreement with the Malta Chamber for yet another year. This partnership allows us to contribute in a direct way to the planning of Malta’s future policies relating to the greatest asset our economy has, human capital. We look forward to working closely with the Chamber throughout this coming year,” said George Gregory, Managing Partner at RSM Malta.

The Gold Collaboration Alliance Agreement was signed by Ms Marisa Xuereb and Mr Christopher Vassallo Cesareo as President and Deputy President of The Malta Chamber, respectively, and Mr George Gregory, Managing Partner at RSM Malta.

During a reception on August 30, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green welcomed over 80 women, who applied for the U.S. Department of State’s 2022 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). This year, the U.S. Embassy has partnered with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry to implement the second iteration in Malta of this global entrepreneurship program.

The AWE program provides women entrepreneurs around the world with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to start and scale successful businesses. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a competition, pitching business plans they develop through the AWE training for seed funding to invest in their businesses.

In brief comments, Chargé Green said, “I am incredibly proud to launch this global entrepreneurship program in Malta for the second year running following the great success of last year’s program.” She noted that this year’s program attracted an even larger cohort of women with a love of innovation and a dream to realize. Chargé Green said, “Women entrepreneurs like you are a growing market force and have a critical role to play in building dynamic, innovative economies. This is what the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs is all about.”

In her remarks, Marisa Xuereb, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, said, “We want to continue to empower women in the entrepreneurial world and give them the necessary tools to succeed and grow in their own right.” Ms Xuereb said, “The Malta Chamber partnered with the U.S. Embassy because we know the fundamental role that women in business can play for the growth of the economy and development of their wellbeing.”

AWE supports the U.S. government’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment globally. Implemented in nearly 90 countries, AWE has helped more than 16,000 women entrepreneurs around the world to grow their businesses and adapt to new economic realities under COVID-19.