Malta Business Bureau meets Prime Minister

A senior delegation from the Malta Business Bureau, led by its president George Micallef, on Tuesday met with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

"Business competitiveness is the cornerstone underpinning social welfare and environmental sustainability.

"There can be neither social well-being, nor sustainable environmental policies in the country unless the competitiveness of Maltese business is actively pursued, promoted and sustained at the very core of all relevant EU and national decision-making processes," Mr Micallef told Dr Gonzi.

The MBB delegation held an exchange of views with the Prime Minister on a wide range of issues most likely to feature on the incoming legislative agenda of the European Parliament.

Sensitive discussions on a new Lisbon Strategy, CAP reform, the formulation of a post-2013 cohesion policy and the restructuring of the current R&D funding instruments at EU level are a short-list of issues that the newly-elected Maltese MEPs will be called upon to discuss over the next five years.

The MBB presented its Business Manifesto, which it had submitted to all MEP candidates, to the Prime Minister during the meeting.

Dr Gonzi was briefed on the recent restructuring undertaken at the Malta Business Bureau with the intent of allotting greater resources to provide more and better services to Maltese businesses.

"We have recognised the fact that many businesses are eager to obtain additional guidance when it comes to working through the maze of EU funds," Mr Micallef said.