Labour promises to cut red tape for small businesses

Labour leader Alfred Sant plans to boost the trade of small and medium enterprises by reducing tariffs and taxes relating to licences and permits.

Dr Sant said that, together with the constituted bodies, including the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the Chamber of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - GRTU, his party will trim down the unnecessary bureaucracy connected to such fees.

Stopping for a coffee after a walkabout around businesses in Main Street, Ħamrun, Dr Sant said a Labour government would work to revive the sector, which had fallen back over the last few years of the present Administration.

"The businesses we visited confirmed that sales were not as good as they expected, while certain areas of investment were not reaping the desired results. This sector has fallen into benign neglect due to lack of interest on the government's part not to actively undermine the sector's potential but through a passive attitude," he said, among the clatter of coffee cups and plates.

Dr Sant was given a warm welcome on his arrival by ardent fans who had cottoned on to the news of his arrival. Some showed up wearing red tops, and a couple even ventured out in their matching red bedroom slippers.

"I dropped everything I was doing to come see my leader," said one woman in awe, as she held on tightly to Dr Sant's hand, not wanting to let go.

She quickly diverted her attention to a man who was distributing party stickers with the grammatically incorrect slogan Wash Your Hands Off PN, which she waved happily for everyone to see.

While all the shops welcomed Dr Sant and his troupe, a couple did not wish the media to enter their premises. Discussing the way forward, Dr Sant said one of the priorities in the first year of a Labour government was to kick start the suspended project for the Crafts Village in Ta'Qali.

"This project is in a state of paralysis and illustrates the neglect and lack of active intervention from the government's side - a symbol of how SMEs have been abandoned in these past years," he said.

One of the ways of giving SMEs a new lease of life was by allocating land on emphytheusis basis for those who wished to establish their business and use it as a guarantee for local banks.

A venture capital fund will also be set up to help new businesses, especially those that are run by young people.

"With regard to the structure of taxes, a Labour government will be working to increase the purchasing power of families," he said.