EU economic committee President says TTIP ‘suffering from negative image’

During a recent visit to Brussels, the Malta Chamber’s delegation held a meeting with the president of the employers group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Jacek Krawczyk.

The meeting was held at the EESC's premises in Brussels on 16 October.

During the meeting, Krawczyk explained that European Member States needed to take a proactive role in explaining the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to their citizens and businesses. He said that the TTIP was suffering from a negative image due to lack of communication.

On behalf of the Malta Chamber, Anton Borg explained the issues and problems faced by businesses in Malta, specifically industry when operating from an Island or peripheral region.

He focused on issues related to energy and transportation costs, specifically Malta’s loss of Objective One Status and the changes to the Regional Aid Intensity Rules which are expected to impact on investment in Malta-based manufacturing plants.

Krawczyk said that energy costs were a problem for all businesses throughout Europe. He nevertheless stated that Malta and its interest needed to be more visible in European fora through networking events and lobbying efforts.

The parties agreed to organise a joint event with the EESC in Brussels in order to explain and highlight the problems faced by insular regions in Europe to which all major stakeholders from all the main Institutions would be invited.