The Malta Business Bureau is aiming to expand the services offered to its members and the local business community, according to George Micallef, the organisation's president.

Mr Micallef has been involved in the MHRA for over 28 years, is an established hotelier and a freelance tourism consultant. However, he admits that his role as president of the Malta Business Bureau presents a new set of challenges, particularly during a period when the businesses it represents have to deal with an unprecedented economic recession.

However, despite the economic climate, the MBB is on the move. It recently announced the appointment of Joseph Tanti as the new CEO and it has also boosted it internal resources in a drive towards expanding its services and operations. The Malta Business Bureau is co-owned by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

"The MBB's initial thrust was to support and advise its parent organisations on EU-related matters, but the organisation's role is gradually changing and is now becoming more pro-active, providing more direct assistance to both parent organisations and our business members," he said.

Mr Micallef said the MBB is in a very strong position to support Maltese businesses on EU related matters: "The bureau has a permanent full-time delegate and office in Brussels and we have our finger on the pulse when it comes to EU affairs - we attend committees, meetings and conferences, representing the various sectors and business interests, and provide the local community with real-time information. We can act in a timely fashion, which at times can be crucial."

Mr Micallef said that the MBB will be investing more resources to be of service 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. The MBB team is currently working on the development of specialised training courses on EU funds available for businesses.

"We also plan to make the most of funding opportunities ourselves and will be applying for funding through the European Structural Funds to implement a three-year project on capacity building within the MBB and its parent organisations."

There are a number of other issues being tackled in terms of policy-development and legislative debate within the EU institutions. "We are currently working on the proposed recast of the Late Payments Directive and the Consumer Collective Redress," Mr Micallef said.

"The bureau is also following the proposed regulation on Food labelling Proposals - which we are strongly opposing - and the Small Business Act, whereby we are preparing a position paper to identify the key priorities from a Maltese national-implementation perspective."

Other changes are in the pipeline at the MBB. Mr Micallef explains that the bureau's strategy for development is based on a three-pronged approach, namely strengthening the organisation's individual identity, providing more pro-active and direct assistance to all members.

But that's not all. "One of the most important aims of the bureau in the medium to long term is working towards gradual revenue generation to achieve self-sufficiency. This will be a gradual, structured process which will see the MBB consolidate its presence and influence, both locally as well as within the wider European framework," he said.

The MBB recently embarked on two important projects of national interest. Just a few weeks ago, the MBB presented a detailed business manifesto to Maltese MEP candidates, clearly highlighting priority areas that the new MEPs should focus on during the next legislature.

The MBB will also be presenting the Business Manifesto to the Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition, and the organistion is adamant that the local business community's needs are given a higher priority within EU institutions and decision making processes.

"At this point we feel that the new Maltese MEPs really need to be active in committees that are of direct concern to local businesses, such as the committees dealing with international market and consumer affairs, employment and social affairs, transport and tourism and industry, research and energy," Mr Micallef said.

Mr Micallef goes on to say that the MBB has officially called for the launch of a "new" Lisbon Strategy: "A revitalised strategy is required to overcome the implementation short-comings of the current Lisbon Strategy through the annual National Reform Programmes, a process which is not yielding the expected results in accordance with planned time frames."

Another recent initiative was the commissioning of a detailed survey that gauged the effect of EU membership on the business community, five years after accession. While the business community overwhelmingly confirmed that Malta's accession to the EU was very beneficial, "One thing which transpired following this research was that although EU funding is a massive benefit, many businesses find it difficult to work with the current bureaucratic way of applying for and administering such funds."

"Respondents also referred to the introduction of new regulations and standards, stating that these were not always uniformly implemented, and at times were enforced in a unpractical or unfair manner, creating an unlevel playing field for many operators," Mr Micallef points out.