Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1188424
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 27 NOVEMBER 2019 JAMES DEBONO THE Maltese are keener on globalisation than most other Europeans, a survey by Eurobarometer reveals. While 79% of the Maltese support the buying of local businesses by companies from outside the European Union only 49% of respondents from all EU 26 mem- ber states agree. Support for foreign businesses from outside the EU buying businesses in their country ranges from 79% in Malta and 77% in Ireland to as low as 23% in the Netherlands. In 14 Member States, less than half of the respondents support the buying of businesses in their country by companies from outside the EU. In eight countries, more than 50% of the respondents do not support this, which is most striking in the Netherlands (74%), Czechia (64%) and Germany (58%). While Europeans are not keen on seeing their businesses sold to companies from outside the EU, the majority of respond- ents in most countries support investment from outside the EU. Respondents were also asked how the EU should respond when certain coun- tries increase duties on imported goods to protect their national industries. The Maltese were in a minority in objecting to the EU reciprocating the increase in du- ties. In total, 54% of Europeans are in favour of increasing duties while 35% are against. Support for increasing duties is highest in Austria (65%), Belgium (63%), Spain (62%), Sweden, (61%) and Hungary, the Netherlands and Germany (all 60%). On the other hand support for increas- ing duties is lowest in Malta (28%), Lithu- ania (34%) and Bulgaria (38%). A major- ity are in favour of not increasing duties in only 3 Member States – Cyprus (51%), Malta (54%) and Lithuania (61%). Lithu- ania (39%) and Cyprus and Malta (both 33%) are also the countries with the high- est proportion of respondents who think the EU should not increase duties because it would raise prices for consumers and businesses. A majority in all Member States except Italy (45%) express support for businesses from their own country investing in coun- tries outside of the EU. Support is strong- est in Malta (85%) and the Netherlands (81%). However, there is a majority in all except three Member States who believe they benefit from international trade – most notably in Sweden (86%), Finland (80%), and Malta, the Netherlands and Denmark (all 78%). Respondents were also asked on how the EU should respond to businesses who sell products cheaply by opening factories in countries with weaker workers' rights and environmental standards. The Mal- tese were the least keen to put pressure on such companies to abide with social and environmental regulations. Agreement that European businesses with factories in developing countries should treat their workers fairly and re- spect the environment is highest in Swe- den (72%), the Netherlands (68%) and Finland (60%). Support for this is lowest in Malta and Slovakia (both 31%), but also Poland (32%) and Bulgaria and Italy (33%). 79% of Maltese don't mind selling local companies to non-Europeans 2 0 years of journalism It's Happy Birthday to us, but it's only thanks to you, our readers. 2 0 years of journalism It's Happy Birthday to us, but it's only thanks to you, our readers. CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF BOLD JOURNALISM WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT/20YEARS