Red carpet not red tape for business owners – Tonio Fenech

Business owners will be able to find all business-related services provided by the government under one roof rather than having to chase various entities for information and applications.

"This will be a one-stop-shop for business owners, be it first-time or experienced, needing a government service for their businesses, such as advice, applications, information and services," Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said.

Speaking at the launch of 'Business First', Fenech said government entities will be coming together to provide more than 50 services under one roof which will assist all economic sectors.

"The whole concept behind it is to give clients the red carpet service and not red tape. Business owners will not need to go anywhere else and run around after various entities to get the information required," Fenech said.

Information to be provided by 'Business First' will include advice on how to get businesses started, services including P.E. number procedures and normal procedural operations involved in running all businesses.

"The most effective tools to be used by the government will be efficiency and reduced bureaucracy. Bureaucracy will always be present in business application but lengthened processing is always counteractive," Fenech said.

Fenech added that the work being done is intended to help businesses expand in the enterprise sector by focusing on providing incentives to encourage growth while allowing businesses to continue working.

'Business First' can be contacted on its own direct line - 144 - and will be committed to providing a response to any queries within 10 days.

The Malta Enterprise Executive Chairman Alan Camilleri said that the services to be provided will be of top quality and authoritative.

"Road maps will be given on how businesses can be opened and information on all available incentives will be given. The building will also be providing a welcoming environment where assistance will also be given to fill applications and register on the spot," Camilleri explained.

Following the success of the microinvest and microcredit schemes by the government, Minister for Fair Competition and Consumers Jason Azzopardi said that the government was continuing to take heed of what was required by enterprises.

"The government is fulfilling pledges, not just as an electoral pledge but because it is our duty and we are sticking to it. This initiative will be a cultural change because we will stop forcing small and medium business owners to run around to get things done when they should be allowed to work," Azzopardi said.

Azzopardi said the positive results from incentives showed that: "The government is listening and doing well. Small businesses are the lungs of the country's economy and should not be ignored."

Tourism and culture minister Mario de Marco said the concept will strengthen the economy and all sectors involved.

"Time is money for any business. This will not only help in long-running operations but will also provide start-up procedures such as with MEPA," de Marco said.

De Marco also said that the Malta Tourism Authority was working with MEPA to reduce the duration of application processing as much as possible according to the type of procedures necessary.

Business First services will be provided from Monday to Friday from 08:15 until 17:00. Wednesday and Thursday will see offices open until 19:00.

For more information click on www.businessfirst.com.mt