The government is to hold a round-table conference for representatives of authorities and other bodies connected with the issue of trade licences to discuss the reduction of bureaucracy, Edwin Vassallo (photo), parliamentary secretary for small business and the self-employed, said yesterday.

The conference will be preceded by a meeting with those attending so that the idea the government has will be explained to them.

Priority in the removal of bureaucracy is being given to three areas: the start-up of a business, its transfer, and its winding-up.

These three steps in the life of any business are the most important, and represent the most vulnerable time for such business.

Mr Vassallo said the government was committed to help businesses overcome competition, and cutting bureaucracy would help achieve this.