Statements made during the Simonds Farsons Cisk plc AGM are symptomatic of difficulties being faced by a multitude of bona fide traders across a variety of sectors.
The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise made strong representations on the issue over the past years. It appeals to the authorities to co-ordinate and put their act together without further delay so as to ensure that investment and jobs in the affected sectors are no longer unfairly compromised.
As a member of the European Union, Malta is no longer allowed to perform border controls of merchandise entering the country from the Single Market. It must now rely on market surveillance. But the set-up and resources within the public service have not been adequately transferred to an entity with executive powers which are compatible with the regulations of the European Single Market. Ever since Malta’s EU accession date, the country has been prone to abuse which is detrimental to the bone-fide trader and the consumer alike. Traders and consumers have thus far relied on the initiative of a handful of proactive people within the public service, most notably in the Ministry of Finance. The setting up of a dedicated authority to perform effective, structured and organised market surveillance is now long overdue. The authority must ensure that goods placed on the domestic market are in full conformity with the necessary health, safety, statistical, environmental and fiscal standards and regulations. Effective market surveillance is truly a means towards ensuring consumer protection, fiscal justice and a fair business environment.
“The Authorities must not mistake the stand being made by the Chamber and other quarters as desperate calls for protection against competition from abroad. Our country excels in trading – it is an activity we have engaged in successfully since the Phoenician times. We are not afraid of competition. We can fight it as long as it is legitimate” stated Chamber President Mr. Tancred Tabone.
Our Chamber has long been reporting to Government that its members complain about certain types of monitoring and investigation activities which are not conducive to ensuring a level playing field in properly functioning and competitive markets but which merely act as a burden on bona fide operators without curbing the possibilities of abuse.
For instance, the country still seems to be ill-resourced to regulate and enforce the Intrastat procedures for goods arriving into Malta from other EU countries. This is a self regulation procedure which, of course, still requires a strong ethic and a sound regulatory framework to ensure that the law applies equally to all. It is equally clear that the country is also unable to enforce the Eco-Contribution Act which is on its way out. Evidence suggests that the share of the environmental tax paid by the regularized beverage operators is not commensurate with their market shares. Government has, to date, not taken up the challenge to publish the relevant figures.
Government and all public entities have the responsibility to act as staunch supporters of businesses and individuals who go about with their duties in full compliance of the law. As things stand, those organized businesses with a proven track record of legal and fiscal compliance are being victimized with over-regulation and unfair competition from quarters that are allowed to operate undeterred below the radar of the authorities and exploiting unfair advantages.
“It is a situation whereby Malta is rolling out the red-carpet for illicit traders and hampering the law-abiding trader with red-tape. This state of affairs is no longer acceptable” concluded the Chamber President.
The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise