Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/794736
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 MARCH 2017 26 Letters Brussels is expected to launch infringe- ment procedures against Malta over its discriminatory registration tax on used cars, MaltaToday can reveal. Malta's higher registration tax on second-hand cars is currently being in- vestigated by the European Commission's directorate for taxation and customs, and is likely to culminate with the first stage of infringement procedures to be launched in March. In response to a complaint from a Mal- tese citizen, an official from the Commis- sion's directorate said an infringement of EU law could arise if the tax on second- hand imports was higher than the one applied to a new car import. Head of unit Micole Wiebke said an investigation had been launched con- cerning the reduction of registration tax in order to comply with EU law, which prohibits member states from imposing any tax on EU products in excess of that imposed on similar domestic products, or as to afford indirect protection to other products. Used cars imported to Malta are levied a higher registration tax because, unlike new cars, they are subject to a minimum tax charge. Malta's tax regime on cars discrimi- nates between new imports and used cars by, setting a minimum tax charge for used cars. Both imports are subject to a tax of 50.5 to 75 per cent, according to engine capacity, but used imports have a minimum charge of Lm1,200, stepped up progressively according to engine capacity. While the tax on new cars is calcu- lated on their cost, import and freight charges, the tax on used imports is assessed on a valuation by transport authority officials. Wiebke also informed the complainant that an infringement of EU law could also arise if the assessment of the tax- able value of a second-hand car did not ref lect its real depreciation, so that it exceeded the residual tax incorporated in the value of similar vehicles already registered in Malta. The minimum charges on used cars were raised back in 2003 as a budget measure, likely lobbied for by new car importers, to disadvantage the importa- tion of second-hand cars. Between 2000 and 2003, used imports increased from 13 to 40 per cent of total motor vehicle imports. The Association of Car Importers (ACIM), spearheaded by lawyer Georg Sapiano, claimed used cars imports were contributing to an ageing and more polluting car f leet, and putting close to 1,000 jobs on the line. The government responded with higher taxes on used imports, but a year later used cars practically doubled between 2004 and 2005, increasing by 86 per cent – or 3,000 cars, witness of a healthy consumer demand for the cheaper second-hand cars. The Commission's investigation is however unlikely to touch upon taxes imposed on used cars from Japan, the main country of origin for used imports, where motor vehicles cannot spend more than a number of years on the road – an incentive to sustain the Japanese automotive industry. But the thriving used car market has exposed the reality of new cars whose prices were hiked up by hefty registra- tion fees, pushing consumers to opt for cheaper alternatives, which usually means older and more polluting cars. The Maltese government has so far expressed its opposition to an emissions- based licence fee that would make cars more expensive the longer they are kept on the road, claiming that high registra- tion taxes help curb the demand for cars. News – 3 March 2007 Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. Be bold for change A smile and a backsliding Insufficient evidence on ODA complaint Nexia's ownership of Egrant March 8th has become synonymous with the celebration of International Women's Day, a day established as such by the United Nations in 1975. The first marches for Women's rights can however be traced back to 1908 when 15,000 women marched in New York City demanding better working hours, pay and having voting rights like men. Although the marches and celebrations started at the turn of the 20th century, it took nearly 70 years for the realisation that something concrete must be done to start the uphill climb of gender equality. Today, more than 45 years since that day, themes for IWD remain basi- cally the same, with many predicting that full gender equality will not be achieved before another 170 years, and although the intentions to move to gender equality are present, yet a regression to 2008 levels has been registered in several countries. Can businesses and politics afford to wait that long to reap the benefits of gender equality in leadership positions? The world's fast advancement in technology has created new chal- lenges for both businesses and employment. Female-run businesses may be acutely affected because of the pervading gender-based skills gap with regard to digital knowledge. The lack of digital skills will also have a long-term repercussion on em- ployment in the technology sector for women. Although 60% of university students are women and there is also a high percentage present at MCAST, how many of the female students are following Science, Technology, En- gineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and mobbing into post graduate levels. What will the outcome be if women are absent from the highly paid jobs of an ever-increasing digital world now and in the future? Will this skills gap further increase the gender pay gap, because women will be in the lower paid jobs and therefore with a lesser possibility of achieving managerial and decision-making positions at their place of work? Will this affect their financial situation and even- tually their pensions, their actual employment and careers? The National Council of Women has been advocating for a national guidance structure that will steer girls in continuing their interest in STEM subjects throughout their academic or vocational education. It is a fact that girls are as interested as boys in STEM subjects till early second- ary school years, but shift to more traditional and stereotyped subjects at choice of subjects stage. Action must be taken immediately in order to limit the damage in the skills gap and hence in employment. This year's theme for International Women's Day is 'Be Bold For Change'. What can be done to accelerate this change? Women must be present at decision making levels – on boards as leaders and in the political scene in order for gender equality to be reached. Men on the other hand have an important part to play and they too can champion gender equality. Both men and women leaders can promote females through mentoring and creat- ing an environment that is inclusive and welcome. Bringing about gender balance in all spheres requires a real culture change and a change of mindset. Above all there must be the commitment by all leaders, CEOs and the political parties, to make this change happen. Mary Gaerty, President, National Council of Women Thank you for publishing my letter "A spurious philosopher". Towards the end of the letter, there was a misprint, the words in Latin "anima sola" were put down as "anima sofa", I am sure this raised a smile with your readers, but I can assure you that it's no joke for me, and a mountain to climb to have a letter published in the other papers. I have to grin and bear it when the ratio of J. Guillaumier's published let- ters to mine is two-three to one, be- sides the dozens I keep in my records which remain in the editor's drawer. This onerous job induces me to denounce the policy of having G's letters treated as if they had just been handed down from the mount on a tablet of stone. Often you hear people saying that behind the media (not all) there is the hidden force of a secret society which is traditionally known as against the church and its teachings. I don't know whether this is true but I know that the attitude of some media elements does not help in any way to dispel the belief in such rumours. I know who wrote this in 2012. I write the above with cautious hesitation but with full responsibility and I write it in your paper, because it's the most receptive and responsive of all. It has already long been pointed out that his letters penetrate the correspondence columns with such alacrity. Good luck to him but when it comes to my turn, the editors are parsimonious. This has been a long- term mystery for me. Just have a look at some of the news items: Feb 12 – Man, 25, killed in early morning shooting. Domestic violence on the increase within 10 years, eleven fold. Seizures of cocaine quad- ruple since 2014. Feb 20 – Man, 40, loses legs when car exploded. 27 thefts from churches last year. Feb 27 – Businessman found mur- dered at home. It's all gloomy, bleak and negative. Maybe a result of Malta's recent dubi- ously beneficial social legislation, the loss of discipline, authority and moral decline. I have in mind a tremendous amount of work we should all do (edi- tors in the forefront) so that Europe as well as our country do not lose their Catholic identity. It is really urgent now that everyone gives a helping hand to strengthen and save the faith of our Christian brothers. The enemies of the Church of Christ are doing their best to usurp the treasure of faith from fellow Catholics. John Azzopardi Zabbar With reference to your report of 26 February, 2017 ('Mission Fund denies alleged misuse of funds in Tanzania project'), in 2015, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs co-financed a pro- ject proposed by the Mission Fund: 'Increasing Free Health Services in the Singida District, Tanzania'. The project involved the building of a hygienic residence for medical staff, making it more attractive for the Medical Missionaries of Mary to recruit urgently required medical professionals and therefore enabling the hospital to accept more patients. The report submitted by the Mission Fund shows that the project was con- cluded in line with its objectives. On 20 October, 2016, a person who wished to remain anony- mous, but identified himself with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, alleged with officials from the International Develop- ment Directorate that there has been a misappropriation of funds concerning the Mis- sions Fund project mentioned above. The ministry requested evidence from the person to substantiate his allegations. On 3 November, 2016, the person in question emailed the ministry informing that to- gether with three other persons he should be going to Maki- ungu, Tanzania, for missionary purposes and to confirm his allegations himself. On 24 January 2017, the same person emailed the ministry via the Commissioner for Volun- tary Organisations inform- ing that he had travelled to Makiungu, Tanzania, and again alleging that he had verified for himself that the building which was meant to house paramedics and doctors was an extension of the convent housing the nuns. However, again no evidence was provided to substantiate his allegations. In its reply to the Commis- sioner for Voluntary Organisa- tions, the ministry informed that in the absence of evidence that substantiates the allega- tions, which the ministry repeatedly requested, the Min- istry for Foreign Affairs is un- able to take the matter forward. Should evidence be produced, the ministry would then be in a better position to seek to cor- roborate such allegations. Etienne St. John Communications Coordinator Ministry for Foreign Affairs Since, according to a news report titled 'Nexia boss: I own Egrant' by Matthew Vella (MaltaToday, February 19, 2017) Brian Tonna claimed that he is 'sole owner' of Egrant one can remind him of the email dated March 25, 2013 sent by his partner Karl Cini to Luis Quiel of Mossack Fonseca (Panama) in which the following was stated: "I presume the information and documents you sent me relate to the set-up of the new company in Panama and for the Trust. We will prepare the requested information but the ultimate beneficial owner will not be Nexia BT. It will be an individual and I will speak to Luis Quiel on Skype to give him more details." In view of the above, it seems that both Karl Cini and Brian Tonna intended to give the lie to themselves. Edward Torpiano Floriana Brussels to launch infringement action over used car tax