For startups specifically, Google Cloud ensures more rapid progress when making use of Google’s engineer-to-engineer support, GTM resources and app development tools, as well as its unparalleled ability to transform massive amounts of data into insights and commitment to open source. Google Cloud also partners with a network of organizations that help startups thrive, including the leading VC firms and accelerators like Greylock Partners, Techstars and Index Ventures. Startups can check out the ‘Google for Startups’ program, which includes events, mentoring, training and support to businesses in 125 countries.

CEOs and Founders can also benefit from Google Cloud, as its tools help solve their toughest application development challenges and achieve their go-to-market goals. CTOs and VP Infra/IT, in particular, choose Google Cloud because it can deliver better customer experiences faster without sacrificing security, quality, or reliability. Its leading-edge app development, data analytics and AI tools help them accelerate innovation while reducing costs.

Chiara Caroti, Head of Corporate and Digital Native for Italy and Malta at Google Cloud, states that “Nowadays, agility in structuring applications and time to market reduction have a pivotal role to the achievement of competitive advantage. Many application developers dedicate the majority of their time to issue resolutions, rather than the new product creation and this is where we can offer our support.” Some companies which have made use of Google Cloud’s services are King, the makers of Candy Crush Saga and other games, Activision Blizzard, which uses Google Cloud’s game hosting infrastructure for live broadcasts of Overwatch League and other esports, and Spotify, which is now able to give its users a fast, reliable and secure experience.

And how does Malta compare to other countries in the digitization field? Malta, today, is a breeding ground for Digital Native companies: in 2020 the country ranked fifth over 28 EU countries according to DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) index, which monitors countries’ digital performance and shows a European overview about Digital Economy. Additionally, Big Data analyses is used by 24% of the companies, which is the highest score in the EU, and the Maltese government has said before that it deems ICT as a key enabler for the advancement of the local economy. In this context, Google Cloud are keen to offer their solutions to accelerate companies’ digital transformation. Caroti tells Malta Business Weekly that “Malta has an incredible potential for us, being one of the most active countries in EMEA for Gaming and Digital Natives. Therefore we restructured our operations and GTM to be fully focused on this territory. We also invested to create an ecosystem of local partners to support our customers at best.”.

Google Cloud are partnering with Amagis Capital, which has been operating in Malta for almost a decade. With their thorough understanding of the Maltese culture and familiarity with the local ecosystem, Google Cloud believe that Amagis will provide local support and presence to support Maltese companies.

On the 17^th of September, Google Cloud and AmagisTech as their reference partner in Malta are holding an event at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, dedicated to CxO and technical functions dealing with Cloud and Security topics. Speakers will include Malta Gaming Authority, some of the top Gaming Companies in Malta and Google Cloud experts. Those interested in attending may register online.

The post Google Cloud: helping Maltese digital native companies to thrive first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

What are the new laws being added on for online shopping from non-EU countries as of today, 1 July?

The European Commission has amended EU Directive 2006/112/EC, such amendments will come into force today and shall affect the Customs and VAT rules applicable to cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities. In a nutshell, the current VAT exemption upon importation of small consignments up to €22 will be removed and customs controls on such consignments introduced. A new special scheme for distance sales of goods imported from third countries of an intrinsic value not exceeding €150, referred to as the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS), will also be created and simplification measures in customs clearance of imported goods in consignments not exceeding €150 will also be introduced.

How will these new tax laws affect the ordinary consumer and will the public be aware of the price beforehand?

These new VAT regulations will benefit Maltese online shoppers for goods with a value not exceeding €150 purchased from non-EU websites and platforms, since these changes mean that there will be no extra charges at Customs if the seller is registered within the new VAT system and uses the Import One Stop Shop (IOSS). Maltese consumers will be sure of the final price they pay online with no surprise taxes and processing fees upon delivery, unless there are issues with Customs. This means that for Maltese consumers, the overall cost of an item with an intrinsic value between €22 and €150 being delivered by MaltaPost will be less than the current cost since processing fees will be waived by MaltaPost, notwithstanding that MaltaPost would still need to do the Customs declarations for these consignments. This also means that the online shopping experience, whether consumers purchase within the EU or outside, will be identical. When a consumer buys from a supplier who is not registered in the IOSS, the consumer would be required to pay VAT and processing fees charged by all European postal and courier operators when goods are imported in the EU. The most convenient option for local consumers is to choose non-EU sellers that charge and collect VAT at the point-of-sale. Maltese consumers may find information on whether VAT is included or not on the seller’s website, usually in the delivery details or in the FAQs.

What has MaltaPost done to prepare for these changes?

The changes that are coming into force will result in an increase in the number of Customs and VAT declarations that need to be submitted. MaltaPost has prepared for this change by investing in new IT software to handle this increase. Preparations had already started in January with the mandatory transmission by all postal administrations of electronic messages containing Customs-related information normally written on the familiar CN22/CN23 Customs declaration form. MaltaPost has subsequently integrated this electronic message with our parcel management software and with the Customs’ National Import System, resulting in a faster clearance process.

How do you think MaltaPost will be affected?

Unfortunately, the European Commission has not included a transition period for these changes and therefore VAT and carrier charges will have to be paid for goods ordered before 1 July but imported on or after this date. Hence, we are expecting that, initially, there will be a slight drop in orders coming from non-EU countries as consumers will stop ordering from these countries following the payment of VAT and the carrier’s processing fee on their orders done before 1 July but arriving in Malta after this date. However, once consumers realise  that the most popular non-EU websites and platforms are registered in the IOSS and are therefore collecting VAT at the point-of-sale, with no additional charges in Malta unless there are issues with Customs and they are having the same shopping experience as when ordering from EU websites, then the number of orders coming from non-EU countries are expected to return to current levels.

What are the benefits of these changes? Do you think local businesses can benefit if international purchases decrease?

The main aim of these changes is that local businesses will be able to compete on an equal footing with non-EU businesses, which were not charging VAT before 1 July. These changes are therefore beneficial to local businesses. We can help local businesses by offering our eSeller service, a complete e-fulfilment solution which provides an easy-to-use platform to help local businesses with the increase in sales, to streamline their business and to expand to new local and international markets.

The post Online shopping experience within the EU or outside will be identical – MaltaPost first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

During this conference, titled ‘Measuring and Understanding Inequality Dynamics in Malta’, two economists commissioned by the Malta Centre for Employment Studies, Melchior Vella and Gilmour Camilleri, presented their findings on a study they conducted on how income inequalities have changed in Malta over the past 13 years and the drivers of such change.

The study was incited by the lack of clarity surrounding income inequality in Malta. ‘The discussion in Malta is hindered by an element of judgement – viewing inequality as a reward for higher education’, Camilleri said. The aims were thus to identify factors that may have contributed to change, using data collected by the National Statistics Office between 2005 and 2018. This data is from the EU-SILC survey which interviewed around 4,000 Maltese households each year.

The Lorenz Curve shows that there were no substantial changes from 2005 to 2018 when it comes to percentage of household income in relation to percentage of population. In 2018, ‘the bottom 40% of the population earned 22% of the total income, and the bottom 80% of the population got 63% of total incomes’, meaning the remaining 20% of the population earned 37% of the total income.

When analysing reasons for income inequality in Malta, the study found that the head of the household’s education level is the most important factor, and this has increased significantly over time, from 15% in 2005-2009 to 25% by 2018. Related to education, occupation is also a significant factor when it comes to income inequality, with the study showing how this explains 20% of inequality. The study highlights the importance of education, with an increase in graduates and the level of education meaning better paying jobs and career opportunities.

Another factor is household employment structure – households with more than one income earner have increased. This is due to an increase in number of women who have found employment, as well as an increase in individuals who continue living with their parents until their 30s.

Economist Melchior Vella asked if we should cure inequality or prevent it, and concluded that there needs to be policy intervention, otherwise the imperfectness of the labour market can result in further inequality.

Present also at the conference was a panel of experts, made up of Prof. Godfrey Baldacchino, the Chairperson for the Centre for Labour Studies, Dr Luke Fiorini and Dr Anna Borg from CLS, Dr Anne Marie Thake, the Head of the Department of Public Policy at the University, Dr Daniel Gravino from the Department of Economics, and other distinguished guests from GWU, UHM and MEA.

GWU Deputy Secretary General Kevin Camilleri agreed with Vella in that the government needs to help lower income individuals. Camilleri said that, “if there’s no input from the government, the gap will continue growing resulting in the disappearance of the middle class.”

While education is a major contributor to income inequality, as the study showed, the panel addressed the issue that there is inequality within education itself, with certain degrees and areas of study ranked higher and more important than others in the eyes of employers.

The impact of foreign workers was also discussed by the panel, with many working in the iGaming sector earning good salaries, whilst others, on the opposite end of the spectrum, being taken advantage of by some employers, putting them at risk on the job. UHM Assistant Director, Isabelle Farrugia, proposed that there needs to be a culture change where all workers are registered with JobsPlus and have a clear contract accessible to them.

The digital conference ended with a comment by the Chairperson, Dr. Anna Borg. She said that, “education is not a middle class fad. The way forward for many people is to be given more opportunities for further education.”

The post Is income inequality in Malta a reward for higher education? first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Originally from Libya, Ammar Soltan came to Malta when he was 19. He worked in various sectors with a desire to find himself until he saw the challenge to start a business centred around healthy eating. Here is when Eeetwell was born – the first store opened in 2015 in Paceville and has since expanded to 14 outlets with one in Belgium.

Soltan describes Eeetwell as “Your healthy choice”, and by making the brand highly accessible and affordable across the islands, it is now indeed a choice for us all when grabbing a quick, healthy take away. It’s clear that the passion he has for natural local good food is at the heart of the popular brand.

One of the secrets behind his menu is that Eeetwell offers seasonal menus without any additives.

“One of our core values is supporting local producers. We do this by sourcing at least 30% of our products from local suppliers and hiring as many local employees as possible. We try to get as much as we can out of the island.”

The young entrepreneur believes that every brand must try to create the change itself. “We have this mission, so we are expanding it far – we’ve opened a store in Belgium and will soon open in Dubai, Spain and Italy. I believe every brand must become the change they want to see… and we are applying it across all of the stores”.

What is the recipe behind Soltan’s success? Launching in 2015, Soltan’s immense success with the brand didn’t happen overnight; he explains overcoming barriers by a shift in focus,

“In the initial stages, it was difficult to pick up momentum. However, things gradually began to improve. We shifted our focus towards high-quality food and the customers; from that point onwards, we saw our growth rocket at a phenomenal pace.

In the beginning, we also faced challenges in shifting public perceptions of healthy food. Snack foods such as pastizzi are very ingrained in the Maltese culture. Some people told us, ‘you think we’re sheep, eating greens?’. But we make sure to respect all cultures and opinions, from vegans to meat lovers, and cater for all requirements.”

Soltan explains that the achievements behind the brand boils down to his staff, “Ultimately any company is about people, and at Eeetwell I strongly believe in investing in their training and education. Our staff genuinely believe in our mission to create change and the importance of healthy eating. Building a positive work environment for everyone from the kitchen to front of house is essential. We also work hard to encourage sustainability and promote the awareness of this by using compostable and eco-friendly materials within our packaging.”

Did the pandemic quell Soltan’s success? “Across the pandemic, we grew our delivery services. In fact, over the last year, we opened five new stores. I believe Covid has made us increasingly aware of our health and the importance of staying healthy.  We worked hard on our digital presence by spreading messages of positivity throughout our social media platforms. Being consistent was paramount to us, from our posts to our branding.

Many of our customers are return customers who love some of our menu classics, such as the Patong beef and Punjabi chicken. Sometimes we change the menu due to seasonality – and customers always ask for these dishes to return!”

Asked which business moguls does he look up to, Soltan did not hesitate, “Steve Jobs. His company doesn’t think only about money but tries to be as sustainable as possible. I think we can learn a lot from other business people’s mistakes, so we don’t make them, in fact, my favourite film is The Founder, about the creation of McDonald’s.”

The post ‘Leading with purpose: how eeetwell is cultivating culture around healthy food’ first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

ReRoot’s goal, the family explains, is “to make sustainable living more accessible and more attractive locally”, by creating a safe space for those seeking ethical and eco products and services. “From cleaning products and accessories, to beauty and self-care essentials, all our products are there to help anyone looking to make this small step forward.”

Reflecting on how ReRoot started, the trio disclose that it all started with “a washed up plastic bottle on a beach in Asia”. While on holiday, “with a beer in one hand and the plastic we collected from the beach in the other, we set out our initial plans for what was to become ReRoot”.

In 2015 alone, ReRoot comment, 30 million tonnes of plastic waste were generated by EU member states, according to the European Environment Agency. Plastic bottles, much like the one the three picked up on that beach, have a 450-year lifespan, and 75% end up in landfills or the ocean. Malta specifically “has been named as one of Europe’s worst performers in reducing plastic waste and also listed as having the lowest recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the EU”. While ReRoot agree that “the recent ban on the importation of certain single use plastic products is a step in the right direction”, there is still much to do. “Frustrated by these increasingly common sights we knew we needed to make a difference – one way or the other.”

Knowing that their brand stands for a purpose they are so passionate about keeps the three motivated and resilient. Having started their business just before the pandemic hit, on 27 November 2019, ReRoot knew they needed to remain flexible and as level-headed as possible. “The pandemic will continue to affect the global business environment for a while but we’ll continue to remain open to change and adapt our thinking to our customers’ needs and requirements.” In order to remain relevant in the market, they regularly think of new ideas “from events, education and awareness programmes, to new brand concepts and product launches”.

While being an entrepreneur can definitely be tough at times, Jean Paul, Christina and Paul look for the positive moments that bring them joy, like remembering their first customer or receiving a good review. They advise inspiring entrepreneurs to not let fear of failure deter them from starting their business, because hard work and adaptation skills will allow their idea to blossom into success.

What can we as individuals do to live more sustainably? The ReRoot team share with us some encouraging tips and inspiring thoughts. Reducing our footprint can seem overwhelming, so they advise us to start small and allow ourselves to ease into this lifestyle change. “It’s always best to start with the simplest and easiest swaps” like using reusable water bottles and cotton bags rather than their plastic alternatives or “simply swapping your yellow kitchen sponge with a more sustainable sponge or brush”. The little individual changes collectively help us safeguard the environment. This will then lead us to make more sustainable choices naturally, as “ultimately, you’re retraining yourself to think differently”.

The post It’s time to ReRoot first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

And so, comes about Bukkun, Malta’s first ever children’s food company, whose aim is to support parents with “the chaos that is mealtime”. This small local business is the brainchild of Erika Vella and Julia Anastasi, who “have long dreamt of combining their love for children with their passion for food.” Bukkun, they expand, is “the result of putting their creative minds to use and starting something they could call their own. Being so lucky to live on an island with incredible local produce at one’s fingertips; reared meat, fresh caught fish, and a variety of fruit and vegetables, Bukkun’s mission encompasses many of their personal lifestyle choices, adapted to the needs and requirements of children.” Together with their nutritionist, Sara Borg, they curate “delicious and wholesome goodness which all kids, from picky-eaters to everything-eaters, will love.”

The food is delivered fresh to families’ homes, and soon, Bukkun’s upcoming Daily Fresh service will allow parents to have the food delivered to their child’s school or nursery. The duo is also excited to announce the launch of their new website, bukkun.com.mt, which will not only allow parents to place their orders, but also give them access to educational content, about how we can nourish our bodies and minds with access to the right resources.

Ever since Erika and Julia met 4 years ago, the two have been inseparable. Already having the “entrepreneurial bug” within them, the two started developing their ‘Bukkun’ concept when the pandemic hit, finally having found some free time. Realising that there was not much of a market for fresh and homemade food for children, Erika and Julia got to work. “We both knew that it was now or never!”

The duo’s passion and motivation for their business is fuelled by the support and encouragement they receive from their customers, making them realise they are a great support system to parents, by “acting as an extension to them in the kitchen – and it is the best feeling!” Seeing their hard work pay off is to them a moment of pride, and this is one of their favourite things about being business owners. Not only this, but by planning and executing ideas, Bukkun has become a great creative outlet, keeping them inspired and excited to work.

Speaking about their experience as entrepreneurs in Malta, Erika and Julia gratefully admit that in spite of the challenges they’ve faced, they have found great support from their suppliers, and recently from SHE, a community of empowered female entrepreneurs. Through the challenges endured, they have learned to remain persistent and to adapt to the circumstances brought by the pandemic, in turn making them more resilient. And to aspiring entrepreneurs, the two leave us off with some advice: “Believe in yourself and your product, and take every challenge as a learning opportunity. This is the key to success!”

The post A delicious Bukkun: All you need to know about Malta’s first children’s food company first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.