Updated 1240
SMEs to receive financial aid for ESG reporting
SMEs are set to receive financial support to cover advisory services aimed at assisting them in ESG reporting. This new ESG Grant initiative, introduced by Malta Enterprise, will also contribute to enhancing their sustainability efforts. Under this grant programme, eligible small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) can access up to €5,000 in funding over three years for advisory services tailored to support their ESG reporting needs. The scope of eligible businesses encompasses a wide range, from smaller enterprises with up to five full-time employees to medium-sized companies with up to 250 full-time employees or their equivalent. (Times of Malta)
Substantial surge in Malta energy demand
Official data submitted by the energy regulator to the European Commission reveals a substantial surge in peak energy demand in Malta. From 2013 to 2022, there has been a notable 42% increase, with demand rising from 408 MegaWatts to 581MW. While the official report does not encompass provisional figures for 2023, the data suggests that energy demand for that year reached an all-time high of 649MW on July 17th, coinciding with the most recent power outage. This marks a 12% uptick from 2022 and a striking 59% increase since 2012. But while renewable energy accounted for more than one-fifth of energy demand on the day with the highest energy demand, overall renewables still account for 7.2% of the fuel mix injected in the grid. (Maltatoday)
Traffic violations on the increase in Summer
In August, Transport Malta reported that 1,729 traffic violations were recorded during roadside inspections, as stated in a recent announcement. These operations, according to TM, underscore their dedication to road safety and the safeguarding of local communities. Throughout August, Transport Malta conducted comprehensive inspections across the nation, with a strong emphasis on advocating road safety, enforcing traffic regulations, and ensuring the welfare of all individuals using the roads. These efforts led to the identification of 1,729 violations, encompassing 278 cases of Administrative Fines and 1,451 instances referred to Local Tribunals.
Morning Briefing
Construction adjacent to site of Miriam Pace tragedy greenlighted by judge
A judge has ruled that development on a construction site adjacent to the house wheret Miriam Pace tragically lost her life in 2020 can resume, provided that the current state of the site is documented through video footage and photographs. Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera has granted permission for the release of the construction site in Ħamrun and has ordered that photographic evidence of the current condition be collected next week. The extensive construction project on Triq Joseph Abela Scolaro had come to a standstill on March 2, 2020, following the devastating incident in which the 54-year-old woman was buried under the debris of her family home. (The Malta Independent)
Retail trade improves in July -Eurostat
According to data released by Eurostat on Wednesday, retail activity in Malta saw a 3.5% increase in July compared to the same month in the previous year. Malta stood out as one of only seven European Union member states to record a year-on-year growth in retail trade. Eurostat, the statistical agency of the EU, reported that retail sales in the euro area decreased by 1% year-on-year in July, and in the broader EU, the decline was 1.2%. Looking at a monthly perspective, retail trade in Malta also showed a positive trend, with a 0.5% increase in July compared to the previous month. (Maltatoday)
Airport makes top-10 rating despite index fall
The Malta International Airport has experienced a decline in its European rating index; nevertheless, it has managed to maintain its position among the top 10 airports favored by Google users. Holidu, a search engine specialising in vacation rentals, awarded the title of the best European airport in 2023 to Istanbul Airport, which has garnered an impressive 86,000 Google reviews. Currently, it boasts an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. Following closely behind Istanbul Airport is Athens International Airport, with over 35,500 reviews, and Portugal’s Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, which has amassed 23,000 reviews. (Times of Malta)
