The new Micro Guarantee scheme through which enterprises employing up to 20 workers – including start-ups and self-employed – may be granted a guarantee to help them secure a loan from commercial banks participating in the scheme has entered into effect.
To date, Banif Bank, Bank of Valletta, HSBC and Lombard Bank have confirmed their participation in the scheme, though other banks may still be added to the list of participating banks.
Malta Enterprise has launched the Micro Guarantee scheme, through which enterprises employing up to 20 workers – including start-ups and self-employed – may be granted a guarantee to help them secure a loan from commercial banks participating in the scheme.
The Micro Guarantee scheme, which enters into effect on August 1, 2012, will therefore facilitate access to loans of up to €100,000 for eligible enterprises, which may use the funds to finance projects leading to business enhancement, growth and development.
Several initiatives and events are taking place in order to promote trade relations between the two partners. The High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth aims at deepening transatlantic economic relations and shaping the future framework of the EU-US trade relationship. In this context, the EU has launched a public consultation that will enable the gathering of detailed views relating to the future trade and economic relationship between the European Union and the United States. Stakeholders are invited to send their contributions to the public consultation by 27 September 2012.
More than 1,850 students have been approved assistance in the form of tax credits with a value exceeding €7 million through the Get Qualified scheme, which helps them further their qualifications.
Indeed, through the Get Qualified scheme administered by Malta Enterprise, students may get a tax credit amounting to 80 per cent of eligible expenses related to their studies, including registration fees, fees paid by the individual to the training or educational institution, as well as fees in relation to examinations.
Malta Enterprise has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Milan Branch of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd, paving the way for increased cooperation towards the development of industrial investment and trade between Malta and Japan.
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd is one of the five primary operating companies of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, which is one of the world's largest and most diversified financial groups withtotal assets exceeding €2 trillion.
A 25-strong delegation from Misurata visited Malta to explore the business environment and learn more about the opportunities the country offers, following up on a similar factfinding mission organised by Malta Enterprise in April and in which 20 local companies had participated.
The delegation was led by the Misurata Local Council and also comprised representatives from the Misurata Businessmen Council, the Misurata Commercial Chamber, the ports, airport and Freezone, as well as the University, fishing union and steel company.
Ten local companies forming part of a business delegation organised by Malta Enterprise had a good number of meetings with their counterparts in the German cities of Cologne and Munich with a view towards exploring potential business opportunities.
Business First representatives will be meeting and assisting clients with information on the various schemes, support services and other assistance they can avail themselves of at the Malta Trade Fair, which is currently ongoing at the MFCC in Ta' Qali.
During the Fair's opening hours between 18:30h and 23:00h, the Business First representatives will be located on the Government of Malta stand together with representatives from the Employment and Training Corporation, providing assistance with a focus on employment and business.
The strategic business and investment opportunities offered by Malta were presented to an audience of Catalan businesses during a special seminar held at the Foment de Treball Nacional headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.
The Maltese delegation was led by Malta’s Ambassador in Spain Tanya Vella, who highlighted the key strengths of the country, such as its strategic location, the flexible and agile market, the availability of multilingual and highly-skilled professionals as well as an advantageous tax system.
Reference is made to the incident that occurred earlier today at around noon within the site of the BioMalta Campus, where demolition and excavation works are currently ongoing.
Following initial investigations by the various parties, including an investigation led by the CPD-appointed expert, it is believed that the incident occurred when the excavator was taking out material from the site and possibly hit a sump full of waste in which gas had accumulated, with a small explosion taking place when the debris was removed.