Today GRTU held its main event in view of the MEP elections that will be coming up later this month. At just over two weeks away from the elections GRTU wanted to remind members to vote for candidates that understand business and once again bring small businesses on the top of the candidates` agenda.

GRTU President Paul Abela told the candidates that the business community expects those elected to work together to ensure that with the limited number of seats we have, Malta is represented in the best manner possible. Mr Abela also emphasized that all the MEPs elected should try to understand the small business and the best way to do this was to keep close to them through their local representatives and consult on issues that affect them.

A number of issues of high importance for small businesses were raised by the members themselves such as the importance of access to finance specifically for small businesses. Many members present had stories to share on how they encounter difficulty in accessing funds both through banks due to issues of collateral and through EU funds and grants. In addition it was mentioned that the absolute majority of state aid goes to large enterprises even through the absolute majority of enterprises are small in size. GRTU Members called on the candidates to push for greater facilitation of finance for small businesses and to give small businesses priority. They also emphasized that they should lobby for the Small Business Act to be implemented in its entirety especially the SME Test and the possibility of removing the audit requirement on small businesses.

There was general agreement that better communication between Malta and Brussels, between the national authorities and national consultation bodies, the MEPs and social partners is needed. The communication flow needs to be better coordinated and we must work closer together and pool our resources. All candidates agreed that this was the way forward and that once elected they would also give their contribution to enhance the communication flow.

Some members also brought up local issues and explained how difficult being in business in a small island country like Malta is when having to compete with much larger countries that enjoy a very large market when compared to Malta. The local context Maltese businesses work in, plays an important role when analyzing how EU measures will affect them.

GRTU feels that overall the event was a very good exercise to help sensitize future potential MEPs to the difficulties faced by SMEs.

The event was organized in collaboration with Europe Direct Valletta and the European Parliament Office in Malta. Dr Peter Agius, Head of the EP Office in Malta, thanked GRTU for its support in the campaign which is now coming to an end and made reference to a number of instances where the EU made a direct difference in the everyday lives of businesses.

GRTU takes the opportunity to thank the candidates present: Roberta Metsola, Stefano Mallia, Jonathan Shaw, Ivan Grixti, Cyrus Engerer, Marlene Mizzi and Alfred Sant.