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What the Chamber can do for you
In providing general services to individual members, the Council acts through the secretariat. Services to members can include the following:
a) LEGAL INFORMATION: Providing information on legislation affecting industry and trade, tax legislation, import and export control, customs procedures and customs tariff interpretation. In this area, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise is fully equipped to give maximum services. All the laws of Malta are at the disposal of members. The Chamber has the services of distinguished legal counsel to guide the Council, a comprehensive and up-to-date information service relating to customs tariff and procedures, and often communicates with Customs and other Departments. The accumulated experience of the Chamber serves the membership well in many difficult situations.
b) CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN AND AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS: The issue of certificates of origin, authentication of export documents, the provision of credentials for travelling businessmen and the supply of information about members as required abroad.
c) TRADE ENQUIRIES: The circulation to members of trade enquiries received from businessmen abroad wishing to appoint agents in or wanting to initiate trade relations with Malta. Through the weekly publication “Business News and Opportunities”, which is circulated exclusively to members, the Chamber is equipped to do this work on a regular basis, giving members equal opportunities for each potential opening.
d) ADVISORY AND RESEARCH SERVICE: Advising on economic and trade conditions at home and abroad. The Chamber's small research department has a range of information at its command in both these fields. But it can call on further assistance through overseas Chambers of Commerce and the International Chamber of Commerce as and when necessary.
e) LIBRARY SERVICE: Providing a library service on commercial matters. The Chamber runs a small library and reading room and announces new acquisitions to the library. The library, contains a large number of business directories relating to most parts of the world. The reading room is also supplied with a wide range of trade and commercial publications.
f) LICENCES FOR COMMISSION AGENTS: Issuing licences to Commission Agents as required by law. This involves the vetting and processing of each application by a special screening commission. Complaints alleging malpractice by licensed Commission Agents are investigated by the Council and, when circumstances so warrant, the Chamber is required by law to report the relevant circumstances to the office of the Attorney General.
g) ACCREDITATION: Introducing members to business organisations, at home and overseas, and to institutions and Government departments.
h) GENERAL INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES: Maintaining a regular information service to members on the activities of the Chamber and a public relations service vis-à-vis the general public.
In so far as members are concerned, the Chamber issues three regular publications.
The first is the weekly “Business News and Opportunities” which is restricted to members only. It is registered as a newspaper. This information service is confined to trade information and to the dissemination of news on the activities of the Chamber.
The second is the “Commercial Courier” published every month. This is considered as the mouthpiece of the Chamber and is regularly distributed to members and local entities as well as to overseas Chambers of Commerce and trade organisations.
The third is the annual “Trade Directory”, which is the only national reference source of its kind. Complimentary listings about members’ activities allow direct member to member contact locally and provides opportunities internationally. This has a local and international circulation and is also sent to all Maltese diplomatic and consular posts as a service to help Maltese exports and trade.
From time to time, the Chamber issues special reports and policy papers as necessary. It also regularly issues Press Releases to convey specific messages to the general public through the news media.
i) CODE OF ETHICS: Maintaining a Code of Ethics and providing standing machinery to enforce its observance. The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise is one of the few Institutions of its kind in the world which has codified a set of Rules to regulate ethical behaviour in the business community with statutory powers to take disciplinary action against offending members after due process. Alleged breaches are investigated by an elected and independent Ethics Committee which reports to the Council of the Chamber for deliberation and action.
j) ATA CARNETS: Issuing of ATA Carnets for the purpose of allowing the temporary importation of goods, free of Customs Duties, without the necessity of raising bonds or depositing amounts for duty and of completing Customs documentation in foreign countries.
An ATA Carnet is an indispensable document used when taking samples or professional equipment abroad or participating in foreign exhibitions.
k) BUSINESS MEETINGS, EXHIBITIONS, ETC.: Offering members the use of the Chamber's premises for the holding of business meetings, seminars, exhibitions and receptions, at special rates.
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