Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1434006
5 NEWS 2.12.2021 THE Malta Business Bureau (MBB) has launched an online SME Hub to help strengthen the financial and digital skills of microentrepreneurs and enable them to widen their networks and inter- nationalise. e SME Hub was announced at a conference organised as part of DIFME – an Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliances Project led by MBB with the participa- tion of the University of Malta's Edward de Bono Institute and other European partners. "We have seen the digital transforma- tion of the workplace outpacing educa- tional institutions as well as the labour market itself, leading to skills shortages in several sectors," MBB President Ali- son Mizzi said. "For this reason, the EU must continue facilitating cooperation among Mem- ber States' authorities and educational institutions and the private sector to address key challenges by microenter- prises." e SME Hub serves as an open re- pository of solutions for entrepreneurs. rough collaborations between the DIFME project partners, practical information was collated and made accessible to entrepreneurs operating across different industries, including information on doing business in Mal- ta, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, relating to government agencies, banking sphere and assistance programmes, among others. "Whether you are kicking off your en- terprise or scaling up, the SME Hub will provide you with the tools and resourc- es you need to make informed deci- sions regarding your financial and in- ternationalisation well-being now and in the future.," MBB Project Manager Marika Huber said. e hybrid conference was also ad- dressed by Roberta Metsola, First Vice-President of the European Parlia- ment and Josianne Cutajar, Member of the European Parliament. Metsola explained the European Par- liament's work on boosting entrepre- neurship and facilitating investment and trade by pushing the develop- ment of better SME financing tools and generating greater business op- portunities. On her part, Cutajar emphasised the challenges faced by microenterprises in island states like Malta, whilst also highlighting the critical role of funding and access to finance in helping mi- croentrepreneurs get equipped with the skills they need to cope with the twin transition and the structural challenges they face. At the end of the conference, the DIFME project partners signed a Mem- orandum of Cooperation, confirming their intention to develop further activities and maximise on the out- puts achieved throughout the last three years of project implementation. Outstanding entrepreneurs lauded at Malta Businesswoman of the Year Awards CLAIRE Pisani has won the third edi- tion of the Malta Businesswoman of the Year Awards, in appreciation of her exceptional role in supporting Finance EU and Solids Manufacturing & Supply Operations (SMSO) for TEVA (Malta) as Vice President. Her tenacity and de- termination were vital in supporting site operational leaders in 26 different sites by developing strategic and operation- al plans, ensuring delivery of short and long-term goals and conducting com- prehensive analytical reviews to con- nect operational excellence with sites' financial performance. e designated sites produce 60 billion tablets supply- ing markets all over the globe, within the EU, USA and Asia, with a revenue of USD$5 billion. Krystle Penza was awarded the Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2020 for the inspirational leadership that she has demonstrated during her 15 years of experience in fashion brands, brand management, distribution, wholesale, retail and franchising. When she first started her business Mvintage, she was the acting salesper- son, accountant, operations and prod- uct manager, striving to ensure that her product line, which is inspired by local cultural values, meets the highest standards. As a new category to the awards, the Sustainability Role Model Award 2020 was presented to Dr Roberta Lepre for her contributions to the commu- nity. Established in 2007, her boutique firm Weave Consulting, has been built on the pillars of equality and diversity. Over the years, and following successful completion of various projects, Weave Consulting has evolved to offer corpo- rate service responsibility (CSR) ser- vices. Today, under her leadership, the company offers fully fledged services in the area of corporate sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) consulting. e Company Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Women in Business 2020 was given to Grant ornton Malta for the firm's outstanding commitment towards empowering women in busi- ness. More than 58% of the 120-strong team at Grant ornton Malta is made up of women and the company carries a firm commitment towards building a diverse, equitable and inclusive work- place, where everyone is valued and re- spected. Judges noted the firm's organ- isational culture where people feel they belong, their uniqueness is valued, and they can voice their opinions. HSBC Bank launched the "Malta Busi- nesswoman of the Year Awards" in 2018 to help promote and recognise the ex- cellence of women who have achieved significant success in business. e awards, which are also support- ed by Farsons Group and Nestlé Malta, aim to emphasise how these successful women can serve as an inspiration and encouragement for other women to achieve gender equality within the pri- vate sector. e awards are once again taking place under the patronage of President George Vella. President George Vella with Claire Pisani, winner of third edition of the Malta Businesswoman of the Year Awards Malta Business Bureau and European partners launch SME knowledge hub to empower entrepreneurs MEP Josianne Cutajar (front row, centre) with members of MBB and DIFME project members