Malta registered the fourth largest drop in sales in the EU last year, almost 19.6 per cent compared to the EU average of four per cent, according to the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU.

Quoting Eurostat data, director general Vince Farrugia said 2009 was one of the worst years for the world economy and this year's prospects were bleak. He was addressing the GRTU's 61st annual general meeting.

Through the GRTU company, Green MT, over 1,800 tons of packaging waste were collected. This, together with another 79 per cent of the waste generated in the past three months, which was collected in collaboration with local councils, saved GRTU members thousands of euros in eco-contributions, he said.

Mr Farrugia added the GRTU was growing stronger with almost 400 new members in 2009 and this when many businesses were facing hard times.

"We believe times of conflict have passed and that, through dialogue between the social partners and the government, we can give our country an economy that is both fair and growing," he said.

The president, Paul Abela, said the GRTU believed in Europe in spite of the sacrifices some of its members had to make because it was the best way to guarantee Malta's small market kept growing.