Month: May 2025

A staggering 90% of CEOs report experiencing a high workload, while 77% acknowledge high stress levels in the workplace, according to a recent study conducted among employers and employees across multiple sectors. These findings were unveiled during the conference ‘Who is Taking Care of the Boss?’, organised by The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in collaboration with Willingness Team.

Drawing on both clinical expertise and organisational insight, the conference highlighted the often-overlooked pressures facing those at the helm of businesses. It aimed to identify practical strategies for cultivating a healthier, more resilient leadership culture in Malta – starting with the wellbeing of top-level executives.

During his introductory speech, William Spiteri Bailey, The Malta Chamber President, emphasised that leadership can be a lonely journey, with few safe spaces to talk or seek help. “When employers are under strain, their decision-making suffers, innovation slows, and team productivity declines,” he noted.

“Mental health is something we all need to look out for, and this includes the people in charge. When a leader takes care of their own mental well-being, they are usually more understanding and supportive of the people around them. The same qualities that push someone to become a successful leader or start their own business, like being driven, ambitious and always aiming higher, can also take a toll on their mental health. If that same mindset spreads through the team without clear limits, it can lead to a workplace where people feel overwhelmed, exhausted and burnt out,” outlined Matthew Bartolo, Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee of The Malta Chamber, as he presented the results of the study.

Kindly click HERE to view the survey results.

During a panel discussion titled ‘Strong Leadership starts with a Strong Mind’, Dr Marthese Portelli, The Malta Chamber CEO, noted that strong leadership approach is grounded in open communication, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of responsibilities. “Embracing an open-door policy fosters trust and helps dispel the notion of the ‘lonely boss’, emphasising the importance of relationships across all levels. Effective leaders balance the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors with the needs of employees, acting as a bridge that supports both high performance and morale,” she highlighted.

“True leadership involves understanding people, not just performance metrics. Support structures and empathy play a vital role, especially when navigating both formal contracts and the more complex psychological contracts that shape workplace relationships. The latter, built on trust and mutual understanding, is harder to define but crucial for long-term employee engagement. Misaligned expectations can cause friction, making open, honest communication essential,” said Paul Borg Bonaci, Managing Director at Elia Caterers.

Ramona Galea, Director at ARQ Advisory Ltd, shed light on the evolving role of HR shifting from a compliance-based focus to a strategic, human-centred force. “Today’s leaders must communicate with clarity, empower through trust, and embrace vulnerability as a mark of authenticity, not weakness. Creating a culture that respects professional maturity, and mutual accountability strengthens collaboration and opens opportunities for growth for all parties. Leadership is not just a position, it is a privilege that demands emotional intelligence, courage, and a deep commitment to people-first cultures, but this will only be possible if leaders take good care of themselves, first,” she stated.

“Business leaders are human not machines, facing their own wellbeing challenges. Chronic stress, sleepless nights, skipped meals, and loneliness can be part of a leader’s daily reality, but it does not have to be. Everyone needs to be responsible for their own wellbeing, be it as an employee or an employer. Employees benefit from numerous policies and protections, but who supports the person in charge? Safeguarding leaders’ wellbeing is crucial if they are to keep creating opportunities for others. A healthy body fosters a healthy mind, both essential for effective leadership,” emphasised Danica Cassar, Health Psychologist and Partner at Willingness Team.

“International research shows that self-employed individuals experience higher stress, especially those pushed into it due to unemployment, compared to those drawn by opportunity or success. Sole owners tend to be more stressed than those with employees, as they bear full responsibility. Stress negatively impacts productivity, revenue, decision-making, and can lead to increased costs, health issues, or business closure. Although 9,000–10,000 businesses start annually, 6,000–7,000 also shut down. Stress also affects sleep, relationships, and family time. Causes vary from personal traits to external pressures. After a peak in 2010, stress levels declined in Europe due to better coping strategies. Still, setting work-life boundaries is crucial, even if difficult. The UN warns of a “burnout economy,” urging a shift from relentless growth to rest and reflection,” highlighted Prof. Rose Marie Azzopardi.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a vital tool in the workplace, profoundly shaping the labour market. This evolving reality was the focus of the National Discussion Forum organised by The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the General Workers Union, and the Malta Business Bureau. Held as part of the TransFormWork 2 project, the event explored the societal and employment-related implications of AI, generating several valuable insights.

The forum brought together members of the business community, academia, and employee representatives. It was chaired by Ms Rachel Attard Bondi, Head of Communication, and opened with a welcome address by Mark Bajada, Deputy President of the Malta Chamber. Bajada outlined the global economic and technological transformations driven by AI and underscored the importance of investing in skills and education to prepare Malta for the future.

Mario Xuereb, CEO of the Malta Business Bureau, highlighted the strategic and ethical imperatives of adopting AI, cautioning against the risks of delayed integration. Riccarda Darmanin, Section Secretary of the Forum of Maltese Unions (FWU), focused on the human aspect of AI in the workplace, advocating for continuous learning and upskilling to support workers through technological transitions.

Neil Micallef from the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) provided an overview of Malta’s evolving AI regulatory framework, stressing the importance of frequent updates to remain globally competitive. Representing the General Workers Union (GWU), Prof. Alexiei Dingli addressed the need to proactively prepare the country’s workforce and education systems for AI-driven change.

Kotaro Ishi, IMF Deputy Chief of Mission for Malta, and IMF Senior Economist Thomas Pihl shared insights into the economic impact of AI on the local labour market, particularly the urgent need for focused reskilling initiatives. University lecturer and Chair of the Tourism Section within The Malta Chamber, Dr Dylan Seychell, showcased AI-powered projects aimed at improving decision-making and efficiency while maintaining a critical role for human judgment.

In his concluding remarks, Parliamentary Ombudsman Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKean reflected on the legal and ethical dimensions of AI. He emphasised the importance of safeguarding human rights and ensuring that AI governance is grounded in transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination.
The discussion underscored the dual nature of AI’s impact—while automation may threaten jobs in low-skilled, repetitive sectors, AI also drives innovation, increases productivity, and creates new roles that harness technological capabilities. Navigating these changes requires balanced, thoughtful integration of AI with strong human oversight.

A key consensus emerged: human oversight is essential to ensure that AI development aligns with ethical standards and supports inclusive progress. Investing in skills and education is critical to bridging training gaps, preventing social exclusion, and equipping all workers, especially those in low-skilled roles, with opportunities to adapt and thrive.

The forum concluded with a shared vision for AI as a tool to enhance human potential. Speakers called for inclusive policies, ethical frameworks, and sustained investment in education to ensure AI benefits everyone. By fostering open dialogue and establishing a strong governance framework, Malta can embrace AI in a way that safeguards rights, promotes equity, and drives sustainable growth.

TradeMalta marked its 10th anniversary with a business networking event on Wednesday, 22 May 2025, at Xara Lodge in Rabat. The evening brought together key stakeholders, government officials, and business leaders to celebrate a decade of assisting Malta-based businesses in their international growth journeys.

The evening featured keynote addresses by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr Ian Borg, and TradeMalta CEO, Mr Anton Buttigieg.  Both speakers paid tribute to TradeMalta’s significant contribution to Malta’s international economic development.

A commemorative cake-cutting ceremony marked the occasion, serving as a symbolic gesture to celebrate TradeMalta’s ten-year milestone.  Among the distinguished guests were former Chairpersons, Directors and employees, members of the business community many of whom benefitted from TradeMalta’s services, and long-time stakeholders, all of whom have played a role in shaping TradeMalta’s journey.

In his remarks, Dr Borg hailed TradeMalta as a key driver of internationalisation, describing the anniversary as a moment of national significance. He noted that this  milestone celebrated TradeMalta’s accomplishments, while highlighting Malta’s broader efforts to help local businesses innovate, compete, and thrive globally. “Going forward, let’s take stock and give this entity a new energy, a new impetus, to continue to reach new heights. Because the next decade will require even greater agility, creativity, and partnership. And we will continue to be here, to support you in this direction,” he said.

Mr Anton Buttigieg attributed the organisation’s success to the commitment of its team, the ongoing support from the Government and the Malta Chamber, and the engagement of numerous stakeholders over the years such as HSBC, TradeMalta’s long-standing strategic partner, “We are proud of how far we’ve come. We’ve expanded our reach, engaged new markets, embraced digital transformation, and worked tirelessly to support local companies seeking growth abroad. From emerging start-ups to established exporters, the journey has been one of shared belief in Malta’s global potential.”

Since its inception, TradeMalta has supported businesses through both financial assistance and a comprehensive suite of non-financial support services. These include international client matchmaking, access to global market intelligence, and bespoke training programmes.

As it celebrates this milestone, TradeMalta is looking to the future with renewed focus. It remains committed to empowering Malta-based businesses to expand beyond Malta’s shores and strengthening the country’s global economic presence, for many years to come.

Businesses interested in expanding internationally are encouraged to reach out with their ideas and plans. TradeMalta looks forward to offering the guidance and resources needed to turn those ambitions into successful endeavours.

In reaction to the Single Market Strategy published earlier today by the European Commission, the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) acknowledges the initiative as a timely and accurate diagnosis of the challenges facing the Single Market. 

Its successful implementation, however, will depend on the political will of Member States to follow through.

The identification of the so-called “Terrible Ten” barriers is a strong indication that the Commission understands the issues at stake and the urgent need for action to unlock the Single Market’s full potential.  If effectively implemented, the strategy could provide the right framework for businesses to grow through cross-border trade, as originally envisioned when the Single Market was established over 30 years ago.

MBB CEO Mario Xuereb said that “the Single Market is the cornerstone of the EU economy. It enables businesses to grow, consumers to benefit from greater choice and lower prices, and allows the EU to leverage its market globally.”

“Too often, the incorrect application of rules or excessive national measures – so-called ‘gold plating’ – lead to infringement procedures and obstruct cross-border activity. A unified and determined political effort is essential to ensure that rules are applied uniformly across the EU to foster business growth,” he added.

The MBB stressed the importance of the Single Market to Malta’s economic prosperity. The free movement of goods and services provides Maltese businesses with access to customers and suppliers across Europe.

Admittedly however, the Single Market has yet to meet its potential. Considering the widening innovation and productivity gap of the EU to its global competitors, the MBB believes this is the right time for the adoption of an economic framework that strengthens the Single Market, which is central to European competitiveness.

The Commission’s strategy outlines a mixture of broad and targeted measures aimed at modernising the Single Market.  Generic improvements include simplifying overly complex EU rules and shortening long delays in standard settings. Targeted actions focus on fragmented rules regarding packaging, labelling, and waste; faster recognition of professional qualifications; simpler procedures for cross-border company establishment; the elimination of territorial supply constraints; and the removal of barriers for the provision of cross-border services.

Specific proposed actions include the harmonisation of labelling rules via sectoral legislations; reducing fragmentation in extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes; establishing a European company law for an easy digital setup; better coordination among Market Surveillance Authorities; making it easier for highly skilled workers to temporarily provide services across borders; and propose a Single Market Barriers Prevention Act.

The MBB reiterated that while the Commission’s strategy is ambitious and well-grounded, its success will ultimately depend on whether Member States match that ambition with the political will to deliver.