Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/619227
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2015 5 News Dayfresh Butcher & Steakhouse Naxxar road, Birkirkara Tel: 27887727 Upper Constitution street, Mosta Tel: 27448007 57, Diego street, Hamrun (opp. BOV) Tel: 21237925 Find us on Facebook: DayFresh Meats & Grill BirdLife calls on Muscat to 'scrap' legal notice CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The public consultation process on the legal notice will end to- day, and Sultana urged Mus- cat and environment minister Leo Brincat to scrap it for the benefit of birds. "These proposals are the lat- est in a number of changes or attempted changes that the Wild Birds Regulation Unit have spearheaded with the sole intention of weakening the law that was specifically designed to protect birds," Sultana said. Referring to the Spring hunting referendum held ear- lier this year, Sultana said that although the Maltese had sent a clear message to the govern- ment that they were asking for more consideration of the environment, not much had been done to show acceptance of this message. "The WBRU recently re- moved the requirement for taxidermy licences and intro- duced administrative fines as penance for hunting offences that were previously subjected to prosecution in court," he said, adding that a legal no- tice issued in August had also increased WBRU's remit to include enforcement and the issuance of licences and per- mits. "BirdLife Malta can under- stand, even in disagreement, that the government has a declared policy in favour of hunting and trapping prac- tices," Sultana said. "However, while the govern- ment is declaring zero toler- ance on illegalities, it is using the WBRU to weaken the Wild Birds Regulations." Business 'internet kit' launched Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera addresses GRTU and MCA launch of tools to facilitate the advancement of Maltese SMEs in the digital world THE Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Eco- nomic Growth, José Herrera (right) yesterday addressed an event organised by the Malta Communications Authority and the GRTU, Malta Chamber of SMEs, during which a number of tailored tools aimed at helping businesses strengthen their on- line presence were launched. GRTU president Paul Abela stated that competition from the Internet is one of the biggest concerns and challenges faced by Maltese businesses today. "It is a phenomenon that busi- nesses need to adapt to and the GRTU is pleased to be working hand in hand with the Malta Communications Authority to supply Maltese businesses with the necessary tools that will en- able them to compete online". Over 100 foreign companies have registered for the Maltese VAT through the MOSS system so as to be able to sell to Maltese consumers and pay the Maltese VAT rate. As part of a wider project fi- nanced by the European Social Fund (ESF), the GRTU has not only identified the gaps that are holding businesses back but has also developed learning tools to address them. Thanks to ESF funds, the GRTU has developed a guidebook and an online learn- ing tool, both aimed at up- skilling businesses. These tools can help busi- nesses go online for the first time, as well as further develop and improve their online presence to be more effective and com- petitive. Following the launch of the Na- tional eCommerce Strategy last year, the MCA Chairman said that MCA contin- ues with its commitment to facilitate the uptake in eCommerce by ensuring that traders have the necessary means to capitalise on opportu- nities brought about by eCom- merce. The MCA is cognisant that in today's increasingly con- nected society, it is becoming ever more important for compa- nies to develop and manage an effective online channel, espe- cially in view of the fact that al- though 69% of businesses claim to have a website, only 14% were selling online in 2013, with the remaining sales occurring main- ly through traditional brick-and- mortar stores. It is becoming critical for trad- ers to be able to find the right ex- pertise and support when setting up an online store or extending their business online. To this end, the authority re- visited the eCommerce guides for business, which it had launched some years back, and incorporated these in a website together with the online di- rectory, BLINK, so as to provide traders with a more compre- hensive and practical reference tool. The eCommerce Guides for SMEs' websites is pur- posely designed around a number of categories re- f lecting the different phases that are usually required to set up an online shop. It features information related to legislation, website planning, online security issues, electronic payments, and customer service, amongst others. Through Digital Malta and various other initiatives, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Competitiveness and Economic Growth has been striving to push forward the digitalisation of commerce in the country. Herrera said the national strat- egy for electronic commerce, that was ambitiously launched last year, is addressing the chal- lenges through a number of measures that are spread on a six year period. "First and foremost and without any doubt, however, every enter- prise needs to assess in great de- tail how this reality affects it. "Therefore, the Malta Com- munications Authority and the GRTU are today jointly launch- ing a package of information tools that will help enterprises undergo the necessary change," he said. The guides are made avail- able free of charge and provide enterprises with the necessary resources so that they can capi- talise on the opportunities that electronic commerce brings. Kidnappers requested €5 million ransom CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 "We can confirm that Pierre Baldacchino was rescued by the Libyan secu- rity forces in a delicate and sensi- tive operation that was success- ful," the hospital said in a press statement. "Pierre is in good health, and spoke by phone to his wife and the Maltese security services. The hospital added that it is not in a position to provide further details or comments about the case, given that details of the op- eration are still emerging. "We would like to express our gratitude for the hard work, dedi- cation and relentless efforts of the Libyan and Maltese security services. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the sterling work, help and intervention of the Maltese government," the hospi- tal said. Baldacchino was ab- ducted as he was re- turning home. It is unknown whether any money was paid for Baldacchino's re- lease. Before returning to Malta, Bal- dacchino is expected to be ques- tioned by Libyan authorities in a bid to identify who his abductors were and will most probably also give a statement to the Libyan General Prosecutor in Tripoli. Baldacchino is the second Mal- tese person to have been abduct- ed in Libya in recent months, af- ter Noel Sciberras, the director of a company that administers car parks, was abducted by a gang in Tajoura, who had also demanded €5 million in ransom for his re- lease. Sciberras was also rescued by the Rada "Deterrent" Force, a powerful Tripoli-based militia group run by hardline Islamist Abdul Raouf Kara. The group, associated with the government in Tripoli, controls the Mitiga airport – the only operational airport in the city – and the air- port prison. The militia specialise in arresting criminals who deal in alcohol and drugs but have been accused of having an extremist Islamist agenda. Pierre Baldacchino