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4 NEWS 23.3.2023 LAST week, the European Commission published a Communication commem- orating the 30th Anniversary of the Sin- gle Market and complemented this with a separate Communication setting out the Commission's long-term view in securing Long-term competitiveness of the EU. For the past 30 years, the Single Mar- ket has celebrated numerous achieve- ments, faced numerous hurdles and today it continues to prevail as an in- strumental part of the European Union. Malta Business Bureau President Ali- son Mizzi said that there is little doubt that the creation and functioning of the Single Market is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. "e implementation of the four free- doms across such a diverse market is unique and should be celebrated. While still facing numerous challenges and far from being complete, the Single Mar- ket empowers European companies to grow and be successful," she said. "It is therefore crucial that it is respon- sive and adaptable to ongoing challeng- es, including global competitiveness, geopolitical challenges, and the green and digital transitions." Mizzi added, "Compliance costs and overly complex procedures particularly in the provision of services and capital markets remains prevalent. National protectionism in sectors such as road transport coupled with fragmentation or inefficiencies in other areas such as certification and labelling, do not func- tion in the same way as a Single Market should. We augur that these issues will be truly addressed by these latest initi- atives." 30 years on, the Single Market ac- counts for 15% of the global GDP and is home to 23 million businesses. Con- sidering the challenges experienced recently, including a global pandemic and a war on the EU's doorstep, these Communications are built on a for- ward-looking, competitiveness, adapt- ability, and collective effort agenda. e latter being the crux of the EU's plan in coordinating both businesses and policy makers to work together to- wards ensuring Europe's perseverance for the next decade and beyond. While remarking on the successes to date, including the tools and frame- works it has developed and which are key in ensuring the Single Market's success, the 30th Anniversary Commu- nication acknowledges the urgent need for the Single Market to become more resilient by improving its preparedness in facing current and future crises. e Communication outlines how existing Single Market rules will be enforced whilst continue working on removing barriers as well as fostering the green and digital dimensions of the Single Market. e Communication on Long-term competitiveness of the EU: looking be- yond 2030 lists nine mutually reinforc- ing drivers in which the Commission will seek to build a regulatory frame- work. ese cover themes such as environ- mental sustainability, resilience and sta- bility, wellbeing and fairness, as well as productivity. An important proposal will be the in- troduction of a competitiveness check that ensures that the impact assess- ments of legislative proposals clearly showcase the expected impacts of each proposal on cost and price competitive- ness, international competitiveness and the capacity to innovate, and also on SME's competitiveness. e MBB said it welcomes this pro- posal especially as it was an important recommendation emanating from the Conference on the Future of Europe. The single market at 30 – tackling the EU's long-term competitiveness Ensuring the skills for future competitiveness THE Malta Employers' Association rounded off its efforts related to its in- itiative entitled "Ensuring the Skills for Future Competitiveness" with a visit to President George Vella at San Anton Palace. e visit served to present Vella with the first copy of the MEA publication which reported on the various efforts undertaken by the Association during 2022 with the same theme. ese in- cluded: a) desk research undertaken internal- ly by the MEA permanent team; b) a series of working groups involv- ing over 50 business stakeholders in four economic sectors held in June/July; c) a Stakeholders Session held at Par- liament on 21 July with the participa- tion of over 60 representatives of na- tional entities. e above initiatives led the MEA to make 13 key recommendations towards stimulating the availability of skills which are relevant to the labour market now and in the future. ese concrete recommendations are elaborated upon in the MEA's latest publication which also serves as documented evidence of the Association's initiatives as well as to ensure lasting outcomes from its efforts and contributions made by business and National stakeholders' representatives. In presenting the publication, MEA President Joanne Bondin explained that "As far as future skills are concerned, the country needs a clear strategy with practical solutions where key stake- holders work together towards a com- mon objective". She emphasised the importance of education and engagement with young people in order to give them the right skills and guidance for their future careers. She said it was important to promote careers as opposed to jobs be- cause the more people believe they are fulfilling a specific purpose in their lives through their careers, the more they are able to take pride in what they do. is will encourage them to invest more in themselves towards the achievement of higher personal goals and satisfaction because they believe that their current job is a milestone in their long-term professional journey. MEA Director General Joseph Far- rugia maintained that while recruiting foreign workers was a convenient short- term measure to plug immediate short- ages that employers were experiencing. He also underlined the need for a strat- egy that embraces innovation and digital skills as a means to alleviate an over-de- pendence on foreign talent. He said that the explosion of the Maltese population is creating problems and externalities which are posing risks to the country's sustainability and attractiveness. Vella expressed his sincere appreci- ation for the MEA's latest efforts per- formed in fulfilment of its role to pro- vide leadership, guidance and support to the business community. President George Vella with MEA Council members, senior executives and collaborating stakeholders

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