Factsheet for measure
MT-2021-18/1929
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Updated
– measures in Malta
Smart and Sustainable Investment Scheme 2021
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Country
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Malta
, applies nationwide
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Time period
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Temporary, 27 April 2021 – 30 November 2023
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Context
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COVID-19, Green Transition, European Semester
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Type
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Other initiatives or policies
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Category
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Reorientation of business activities
– Change of production/Innovation
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Author
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Luke Anthony Fiorini (University of Malta) and Eurofound
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Measure added
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05 July 2021 (updated 19 June 2023)
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Background information
A series of measures to aid businesses impacted by COVID-19 were announced by the Prime Minister Robert Abela on 27 April 2021. Many of these extended measures that were already in place, such as those that provide subsidies for organisations' electricity and rental bills. Among these measures was a measure to support start-up companies and promote green jobs.
Content of measure
Termed the 'Smart and Sustainable Investment Scheme 2021,' the scheme aims to foster investment and policy direction in new economic areas in line the European Green Deal.
Although details about the allocation and limitations of this measure are not available, it was announced that the scheme will include incisive aid in the form of cash grants up to €50,000 and additional support in the form of tax credits.
Larger cash grant will be provided when investments are made in Gozo, investments are made by start-up companies and investments directly create new green jobs.
The measure will be managed and overseen by the Malta Enterprise.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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01 March 2023
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Updated guidelines by the Malta Enterprise for this measure indicate an increased maximum grant of €100,000 per project, as well as a tax credit of up to €40,000 per project.
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07 October 2021
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Further details of this measure were announced. The measure, which is open for applications until 30 November 2023, supports enterprises planning to make changes that improve sustainability, environmental performance or digitisation leading to growth potential. Costs incurred prior to approval are not eligible, whilst the supported measures must be completed within 12 months of the application being approved, whilst the benefitting enterprise must maintain the investment for a minimum of 3 years. The minimum investment must be of €10,000, whilst the maximum grant awarded will cover 50% of the eligible expenditure up to a maximum grant of €50,000 per project. Additional funding as a tax credit (up to an additional 20% - or 70% of the eligible expenditure) can be awarded depending on if the applicant meets a number of the following conditions: (i) the project results in new investment in Gozo; (ii) the enterprise has been established for less than three years; (iii) the applicant provides a carbon footprint audit and assessment illustrating that the project will result in a significant reduction.
Eligible investments include those that aim to achieve; waste minimisation; sustainable materials; energy and waste efficiency; and sustainable digitalisation.
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Use of measure
This measure began accepting applications in October 2021 and has a budget of €5 million.
In August 2022 there was press conference and visit to a large Maltese bakery that had made use of the system to highlight the benefits of this measure. This event was attended by Miriam Dalli, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise, and by the CEO of the Malta Enterprise, Kurt Farrugia. The bakery installed a system where water was used to cool the premises making the organisation’s operations more sustainable. The Chairman of the Bakery noted that the new system allowed for a lower temperature within the factory, thus improving the working environment for workers, while saving the organisation as much as 85% in electricity consumption, and reducing CO2 production by 90%. This also allowed the organisation to be more competitive.
On 19 January 2023, the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise, Miriam Dalli, announced that this measure and the complementary Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency Projects Scheme distributed about €500,000 over a period of a year.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Does not apply to citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
EU (Council, EC, EP)
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European Funds
National funds
National Recovery and Resilience Facility
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Consulted
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Form
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Not applicable
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Direct consultation outside a formal body
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
The involvement of social partners in the development of this specific measure is unknown. However, the measure was announced along with a package of measures which aimed to stimulate economic activity. In relation to the announced package of measures, a number of employer associations highlighted how they had been in regular consultation with the government and that the package of measures reflected their input. These included the Chamber for SMEs, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry (known as the Malta Chamber) and the Gozo Business Chamber.
Views and reactions
Several Employer Associations commented on the package of measures of which the current measure formed part of. Comments on the overall package of measures was favourable. Reactions were provided by: the Chamber for SMEs, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry (known as the Malta Chamber) and the Gozo Business Chamber.
The Malta Chamber made specific reference to the ‘Smart and Sustainable Investment Scheme’ stating that it is well-aligned to their economic vision for 2020-2025, titled ‘Smart, Sustainable Island’.
Sources
