MBB warns against EU proposals undermining Malta’s competitiveness

Proposals which undermine Malta’s competitiveness in the Single Market should not be accepted, the Malta Business Bureau has insisted.

The statement was made in an MBB position paper compiled in response to the public consultation by the European Commission on the 50 proposals for the ‘Relaunch of the Single Market’.

MBB president John Huber, chief executive Joe Tanti and Brussels permanent delegate Omar Cutajar presented the document to Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Jason Azzopardi.

The document will also be presented to the Internal Market and Services Directorate General on behalf of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Mr Huber urged the government to “send a strong message against any proposal that undermines Malta’s competitiveness”, and cautioned against “the adoption of EU proposals that have a direct bearing on business before it can be ensured that the proposal and related regulations can be effectively implemented and enforced.”

Mr Huber acknowledged that the relaunch of the Single Market was a much-needed development and a timely initiative to reinvigorate cross-border business activity across the EU 27.

Dr Azzopardi said officials from his secretariat would analyse the document in the coming days, adding that he hoped it would the timely communication between the government and stakeholders.

The document can be viewed at www.mbb.org.mt.