The 2010 Budget for next year was hailed as positive by the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, especially considering the global recession.

"It helps prepare the economy for the increased competition that will follow the recession," GRTU general director Vince Farrugia said.

He said this Budget had taken on board the proposals made during the consultation period more than previous ones.

"(Finance Minister) Tonio Fenech listened," he said, adding that he would award the Budget seven out of 10.

The chamber did not argue with the weekly €5.82 cost of living allowance, although it would be a "dip in the pockets" of many employers. However, Mr Fenech said this would give people more spending power, with the money likely to go back to small businesses.

The chamber was especially pleased with the incentive to help micro industries invest through a tax credit and the setting up of a fund to give loans to small businesses.

Mr Farrugia said the work trial scheme, which will give unemployed people the opportunity to be integrated in a workplace for a 12-week period, was advantageous for both employers and job-seekers."

Unemployment is bad both socially and economically," he said, adding that the scheme would also allow employers to test potential employees before giving them the job.

The chamber has also hailed the extension of the Pharmacy of Your Choice Scheme. "Despite criticism, people who used to queue to pick up their medicines are now going to their private pharmacy. There is no comparison in the service," he said, adding that the removal of the levy on credit cards was another positive initiative.

Mr Farrugia said the chamber was "not against" the strengthening of the consumer protection agency.

"We believe that professional retailers will not suffer," he said.

He said the investment in capital projects was another positive incentive, as was the money allocated for arterial roads and the investment in creativity and innovation. Mr Farrugia said the chamber was satisfied that the government was helping families counter the price of water and electricity and with initiatives for alternative energy.

The chamber was not very keen with the mandatory reduction of medicine prices deemed to be too high, although Mr Farrugia said it was not afraid of this measure since it did not believe that there were abuses. He said it was positive that there was more money to pay medicine importers.

He also hailed the setting up of a college of regulators which would ensure more coordination between different entities.

The GRTU would have liked to see a reduction in the tax paid by developers of certain projects, including homes geared towards first-time buyers.