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Preparing our ports for the future: making the most of a vital resource
Europe’s prosperity has always been linked to sea trade and ports, which have great potential for sustaining growth in the years ahead. As gateways to the EU’s entire transport network, they are engines of economic development. And more cargo,...
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Malta’s slow burning socio-economic issues
Malta may have escaped the worst consequences of the protracting eurozone economic downturn, but no one must be fooled into thinking that our future prosperity can be guaranteed without addressing a number of serious socio-economic challenges. These...
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Unravelling Budget 2013 jungle
When the Budget for 2013 was presented by then Finance Minister Tonio Fenech it was obvious that whoever was appointed Minister of Finance after the forthcoming general election would have a tough task implementing it. Had it been Mr Fenech he would...
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The right to be forgotten in the EU
With the development of internet technology, a large number of people, companies, entities and organisations are interacting with each other. The processing of this interaction leaves behind a trail of users’ personal information that can last long...
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Leveraging organisational performance through ‘shared value’ propositions
Many successful businesses are forging strategic alliances in their value chain in order to run their businesses profitably. They also promote the right conditions of employment, where they can. Arguably, several businesses are doing well by doing...
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Shopping online: A luxury of the 21st century
Online shopping, what would we do without it, nowadays? You can buy anything when you want, be it at midnight, or noon. There is no need to get out of your home or office, no need to drive in the heat or in the rain, no need to find decent parking,...
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Is gold starting to lose its glitter?
In the past several months, many investors thought they had discovered a way of beating the low returns gained from their financial assets by investing in gold. Many Western governments are still struggling with huge debt mountains, slow economic...
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A fairer deal for expats and tourists
Enemalta Corporation cannot lose any income stream, no matter how weak. It is in a very bad state, both in terms of revenue relative to expenses as well as in terms of its debt burden. Bipartisan plans to use a special purpose vehicle to alleviate...
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Restrictions over providing services
National authorities may invoke the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing as a justified objective which warrants restrictions on the fundamental freedom to provide services enjoyed by every EU citizen and legal entity. Such...
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It is time for a renewed national ICT Industry Policy Framework
Malta’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry has experienced substantial growth, which, to a degree, mirrors similar trends elsewhere since 1990. Today, the sector is said to contribute some five per cent of GDP. Historically,...
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Family businesses are facing challenging times
Much has been said and written over the last few years on the challenges facing businesses in the local and international arena, particularly in the context of the challenges that the global economy has been facing. Although the local economy has...
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Valuing mothers’ role at the place of work
Motherhood is one of the most exhilarating human experiences. It is also one of the most difficult, and being a mother while trying to cope with a career is becoming even more difficult. Up to a few decades ago the choice for most employed new...
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Controversy and surprises
One would have thought that, with the general election out of the way, the endless controversies over all sectors of the economy, aside from controversies elsewhere too, would take a break. After all, looking back, the state of the economy is...
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The EU’s retail energy market
European energy policy aims to ensure consumer-friendly energy supplies to households at affordable prices. The Energy 2020 strategy stresses the role of consumers. European measures intended to promote consumer interests are in place, compelling...
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When art is too hot to handle
Last month, the FBI marked 23 years since the theft of works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum by hosting a press conference calling for leads by restating the large reward being offered. October 2012 saw another ‘super art’ heist at...
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Imagination for business leaders
Imagination in the business world and its role in strategic management came to the fore at a recent conference organised by the Malta Association of Family Enterprises and Znanie Association of Bulgaria. Themed The Knowledgeable Family Enterprise –...
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Will the banking union save the euro?
This time last year many economic analysts were asserting that the future of the euro was by no means certain and that a breakup of the euro area was no longer a theoretical possibility. Since then, a certain degree of calm has returned to the...
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Banks can sing a better song
The pendulum swings. The Malta financial centre has weathered a storm triggered by the financial crisis in Cyprus, whereby Malta was for a while twinned with that distressed island because of its substantial deposit base relative to Gross Domestic...
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Deal on EU mortgage directive reached
A break in the impasse on negotiations dealing with a proposed EU directive on mortgages has finally been registered. Negotiations between the EU institutions on the proposed directive which began in March 2011 seem to be drawing to a close with the...
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How to avoid the next Greece
The problem with Greece is that it was less efficient than its European counterparts. The good news is that it is relatively easy to get an indication of which countries are inefficient. A burger produced in Germany costs less than a burger produced...
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