MBB urges aligned EU budget push to protect Maltese business interests

The Malta Business Bureau has issued a clear call for government and industry to align their advocacy efforts in Brussels, warning that only a coordinated push will secure an EU budget package that works for Maltese businesses.

Speaking at an event marking the MBB's 30th anniversary, CEO Mario Xuereb urged aligned action on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, maritime connectivity, and Single Market competitiveness. The gathering drew European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commissioner Glenn Micallef, and Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti.

Xuereb highlighted the MBB's early engagement on key files. “This year, the MBB engaged early to ensure that the interests of Malta’s business community and industry were reflected in the EU Islands Strategy, as well as in the amendments proposed as part of the reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS),”

Beyond immediate legislative work, the MBB stressed that a robust, tailored financial package over the next seven years is critical to help local SMEs navigate the green and digital transitions while maintaining their competitive edge.

Minister Azzopardi Tanti backed the call for structured collaboration, noting that SMEs need strong institutional back-up to keep pace with complex EU rules. “Malta must be present, engaged and proactive in shaping European decisions. We must ensure that European ambitions translate into practical solutions,”

MBB President Raphael Aloisio outlined internal operational updates designed to help the organisation respond faster to Brussels proposals. He pointed to ongoing joint efforts on ETS maritime impacts, island-state connectivity, and upcoming EU omnibus initiatives aimed at cutting administrative burdens.

The MBB was established in October 1996 by The Malta Chamber and the Federation of Industry, operating from Brussels before Malta's EU accession. The MHRA joined as a partner in 2004. Today, the MBB acts as an early-warning system for its parent organisations and serves as a technical advisor to the Maltese Government on EU policy.

Top European business association leaders reinforced the MBB's collaborative influence. BusinessEurope Director General Markus Beyrer commended the MBB's 30-year contribution and urged EU leaders to join forces with industry for tangible regulatory relief. Eurochambres CEO Ben Butters praised the MBB as a trusted strategic partner in dismantling Single Market barriers. HOTREC Director General Marie Audren stressed the vital collaboration in keeping EU hospitality rules realistic for SMEs.

For Malta's business community, the stakes are clear. Without a coordinated push, the island risks being outmanoeuvred in Brussels on funding allocations and regulatory design that will shape competitiveness for years to come.