Administrative burden for small businesses to face the chop

The government aims to reduce the administrative burden for small businesses and the self-employed by 15 per cent in the next three years. Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue Chris Said said that the Better Regulation Unit, which falls under...

The government aims to reduce the administrative burden for small businesses and the self-employed by 15 per cent in the next three years.

Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue Chris Said said that the Better Regulation Unit, which falls under his wing, is currently meeting all stakeholders to determine the administrative burden that shackles small enterprises.

"By 2012 we want to reduce the administrative costs by 15 per cent. We are currently identifying all the forms and papers small enterprises are obliged to fill so that we can determine those areas where businesses can be exempt from the administrative burden," Dr Said told The Times Business.

He added that the savings for businesses would not be in monetary terms, but it would help them become more competitive.

"Instead of wasting precious time filling in forms, small enterprises and the self-employed can invest their time into improving their business. This would make them more competitive," Dr Said insisted.

The exercise undertaken by the Better Regulation Unit is not concerned with cutting taxes or licence costs for businesses because it does not fall within its remit.

The high administrative burden is a major issue for small enterprises, which do not have the human resources and time to fill in the myriad of forms required by the various public entities.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com

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