Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/352862
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 JULY 2014 10 News Maltese companies say they feel the heat of competition JAMES DEBONO MALTESE companies are among the most likely to feel the pressure of competitors around them, accord- ing to a survey by Eurobarometer. Like Cyprus (29%), in Malta 27% of some 200 respondents said they were "the most likely to report hun- dreds of competitors" – companies in Bulgaria (26%) and the UK (25%) were the most likely to say there are too many to count. The survey suggests that Maltese businesses feel like they face greater competition than others. While 39% say they face "hundreds of competitors" or "too many to count", only 29% of European coun- terparts thought likewise. And while only 21% of Maltese companies say they face few com- petitors, 34% of European compa- nies think likewise. Companies in Austria, Greece (both 49%) and Finland (46%) are the most likely to say they face few competitors, compared to 19% in Malta. In 15 member States at least one third of companies say they have tens of competitors in their main market, and this is particularly the case in Estonia (47%), Latvia (40%), Denmark and the Czech Republic (both 39%) and Malta (37%). Reporting tens of competitors is least likely among companies in Cy- prus (24%) and Austria (22%). Companies in Poland (68%), the Czech Republic (67%) and Malta (65%) were the most likely to say a market dominated by established competitors is a problem for com- mercialising their goods or services. This compared to 35% of companies in the UK and 36% in Slovenia. 46% of Maltese companies sell goods and services to the public sec- tor. Only 37% of companies in all EU countries report doing so. The highest percentage of sales to the public sector is reported by Luxem- bourg (49%). Luxemburg is the only country where more than half (51%) think that the public sector is important for the commercialisation of inno- vative goods and services. The im- portance of the public sector is also mentioned widely in Bulgaria (48%), the UK and Malta (both 46%). At least one quarter of companies in Luxembourg (27%), France and Malta (both 26%), Lithuania, Portu- gal and Finland (all 25%) have won at least one public procurement contract since January 2011. Companies in Hungary (33%) and Latvia (31%) were the most likely to say they investigated public pro- curement opportunities but did not submit a tender, and this is also the most mentioned option in eight Member States. This compares to 5% of companies in Malta and 6% in Austria that say the same. 39% of Maltese companies responding to Eurobarometer survey have reported harsh competition Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life Project part-financed by the European Union European Social Fund (ESF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds PLAY-WORK SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME – ESF 1.229 As part of the project ESF 1.229 – Skills Acquisition for Children and Adolescents the Foundation for Educational Services (FES) is sponsoring study grants towards an MQF Level 4 certificate in Play-work. Those interested in applying kindly contact Ms. Leanne Vassallo on email leanne.vassallo@gov.mt or tel. no. 22586830 to receive a copy of the Regulations and the Application Form. Applications are to be sent by the 12 th August 2014 to Ms. Leanne Vassallo. How many companies does your company have in its main market? EU 34% 34% 14% 15% 2% Malta 21% 37% 27% 12% 2% 'A few' 'Tens' 'Hundreds' 'Too many to count' 'None'