Tools to strengthen online presence of local SMEs launched

The Malta Communications Authority and GRTU Malta Chamber of SMEs launched a number of tailored tools to proactively increase the number of businesses in Malta that have an online presence and are able to compete online earlier today.

Speaking at the launch, GRTU President Paul Abela said that competition from the internet is one of the biggest concerns and challenges faced by Maltese businesses today.

“It is a phenomenon that businesses need to adapt to and the GRTU is pleased to be working hand in hand with the MCA to supply Maltese businesses with the necessary tools to enable them to compete online”.

He added that over 100 foreign companies have registered for the Maltese VAT through the MOSS system in order to be able to sell to Maltese consumers and pay the Maltese VAT rate.

Abela said that the GRTU had also embarked on a wider project financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) to identify the gaps that are holding businesses back and to develop learning tools to address them.  

The funds have also allowed GRTU to develop a guidebook and an online learning tool, both aimed at upskilling businesses.

“These tools can help businesses go online for the first time as well as further develop and improve their online presence to be more effective and competitive,” he added.

MCA Chairman Edward Woods said that following the launch of the National eCommerce Strategy last year, MCA would follow in its commitment to facilitate the uptake in eCommerce by ensuring that traders have the necessary means to capitalise on opportunities brought about by eCommerce.

“The MCA is cognizant that in today’s increasingly connected society, it is becoming ever so important for companies to develop and manage an effective online channel, especially in view of the fact that although 69% of businesses claim to have a website, only 14% were selling online in 2013, with the remaining sales occurring mainly through traditional brick-and-mortar stores,” he said.

He added that it is therefore becoming critical for traders to be able to find the right expertise and support when setting up an online store or extending their business online.

“To this end, the Authority has re-visited the eCommerce guides for business, which it had launched some years back, and incorporated these in a website together with the online directory, BLINK, to provide traders with a more comprehensive and practical reference tool.”

Woods said that the eCommerce Guides for SMEs’ website is purposely designed around a number of categories reflecting the different phases that are usually required to set up an online shop, including information related to legislation, website planning, online security issues, electronic payments and customer service amongst others.

Competitiveness parliamentary secretary Jose Herrera said that the national strategy for electronic commerce, launched last year, is addressing the challenges through a number of measures that are spread on a six-year period.

“First and foremost, and without any doubt, every enterprise needs to assess in great detail how this reality affects them. Therefore, the Malta Communications Authority and the GRTU are today jointly launching a package of information tools that will help enterprises undergo the necessary change,” he said.

“The guides are made available free of charge and provide enterprises with the necessary resources so that they can capitalise on the opportunities that electronic commerce brings. Through these guides we need to assist those industries where electronic commerce presents real opportunities for development and expansion.”