MaltaMedia.com

A senior delegation from the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) led by President George Micallef held a meeting held on Tuesday at Auberge de Castille with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Their message to the Prime Minister was that ”there cannot be any social wellbeing or sustainable environmental policies in the country unless the competitiveness of Maltese business is actively pursued, promoted and sustained at the very core of all relevant EU and national decision-making processes.”

The MBB delegation held an exchange of views with Prime Minister Gonzi on a wide array of issues, most likely to feature high on the incoming legislative agenda of the European Parliament, now in the process of reconstitution following the EU-wide elections held in early June. Sensitive discussions on a new Lisbon Strategy, on CAP reform, on the formulation of a post-2013 cohesion policy and the restructuring of the current R&D funding instruments at EU level are a short-list of issues that the newly-elected Maltese MEPs, will be called upon to pitch in with their say during the forthcoming EP legislature 2009-2014.

The MBB presented these considerations, submitted in a Business Manifesto to all MEP candidates in an event held in May, within the ambit of the MBB’s commitment to a sustained follow-up to the EU policy priorities bound to shape the medium-to-long term development of the regulatory environment, within which local enterprise has to operate. A copy of the Business Manifesto was officially presented to the Prime Minister during the meeting.

The MBB President George Micallef called upon the Maltese MEPs to select the committees they will be actively participating in with a judicious and balanced sense of national responsibility. The MBB recommends that particular importance is given to the Internal Market & Consumer Affairs committee, the Employment and Social Affairs committee, the Transport and Tourism committee, the Industry, Research and Energy Committee and the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety committee.

Prime Minister Gonzi was briefed on the recent restructuring undertaken at the Malta Business Bureau with the intent of allotting greater resources to provide more and better services to Maltese businesses. “We have recognised the fact that many businesses are eager to obtain additional guidance when it comes to working through the maze of EU funds,” declared Mr. Micallef.

The MBB President revealed that the MBB team is currently working on the development of specialised training programmes on EU funds available for businesses. “We also plan to make the most of funding opportunities ourselves and will be applying for EU funding to implement a three-year project on internal capacity-building,” commented Mr. Micallef.

Finally, the discussion between the Prime Minister and the MBB’s delegation focused on how the MBB can better communicate on key EU-related issues and the EU consultation process. Prime Minister Dr. Gonzi acknowledged the work being done by the MBB. It was agreed that the MBB needs to step up its communication efforts with the institutional stakeholders and the Maltese business community at large.