Five Takeaways from the Leaders’ SME Chamber Debate

Imagine standing in the grand, historic Manoel Theatre, the air thick with anticipation. The stage is set for a rare encounter – Malta’s political leaders, face-to-face, not to discuss the island’s future, but its present. The topic? The heartbeat of our economy: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

1. Unanimity on SMEs’ Importance, Divergence on Solutions

Both Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Bernard Grech agreed on one thing: SMEs are the backbone of Malta’s economy. They account for 99.5% of all businesses and employ around 50,000 people. But when it came to solutions, the gloves came off.

Abela highlighted his government’s initiatives, including the COVID-19 wage supplement and loan schemes. Grech, however, criticized these as ‘too little, too late’, promising a ‘radical overhaul’ if elected.

2. The Green Economy: A New Frontier

Both leaders acknowledged the potential of the green economy, with Abela pointing to Malta’s ambitious 2050 carbon neutrality target. Greach, meanwhile, proposed a ‘Green New Deal’ to create jobs and stimulate growth.

But it was PN candidate for Sliema, Claudio Grech, who stole the show. He proposed a ‘Green District’ in Sliema, transforming the bustling town into a model of sustainability. “Imagine Sliema with green spaces, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient buildings,” he said, painting a vivid picture of Malta’s future.

3. Education: The Key to SME Growth

Education emerged as a key battleground. Abela stressed the government’s investment in skills development, while Grech promised a ‘lifelong learning’ system to keep Maltese workers relevant in the digital age.

But it was PD’s candidate for Ħamrun, Josianne Cutajar, who offered a fresh perspective. She called for more apprenticeships and on-the-job training, saying, “We need to bridge the gap between education and employment.”

4. The Role of Public Procurement

Both leaders agreed that public procurement could be a breakthrough for SMEs. Abela pointed to his government’s ‘Buy Maltese’ initiative, while Grech promised to reserve 50% of public procurement for local businesses.

But it was Adrian Delia, PN candidate for Birkirkara, who offered a unique solution. He proposed a ‘procurement portal’ to make the process more transparent and accessible for SMEs.

5. The Foreign Worker Dilemma

The debate also touched on the thorny issue of foreign workers. Both leaders agreed that Malta needs foreign labour, but they differed on how to manage it.

Abela stressed the need for a balanced approach, while Grech promised to ‘streamline’ the process. But it was PD’s candidate for Msida, Godfrey Farrugia, who offered a novel solution. He proposed a ‘points-based’ immigration system, similar to the UK’s, to attract the right skills to Malta.