Government entities dealing with Malta’s micro-enterprises – namely Malta Enterprise, the Cooperatives Board, the Malta Crafts Council and the Commerce Division – are to begin collaborating better with a view to cutting down on work duplication, red tape and bureaucracy so as to better service Malta’s small businesses.

The initiative was announced yesterday by Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea and Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed Edwin Vassallo.

The entities concerned are to undergo a restructuring exercise that will see clients being identified so they can be better guided and advised over their particular needs.

Additionally, those working within the entities will also better familiarise themselves with the work of the others so as to be able to assist their clients in the most efficient manner possible.

The entities will also be keeping in close contact with business organisations, while Mr Vassallo himself will also stay in touch with the constituted bodies to ensure operations continue to run smoothly during the course of the restructuring exercise and after.

Micro-enterprises are classified as small businesses employing less than 10 people and the sector accounts for 96 per cent of all Malta’s businesses. Such businesses employ no less than 44,000 workers and together comprise the backbone of Malta’s economy, Mr Vassallo added.

Mr Galea, meanwhile, explained how the initiative fits well with Malta’s National Reform Programme and with meeting the aims of the Lisbon Agenda in that it is intended to simplify bureaucratic procedures for business.