COVID Business Assistance

The Chamber of SMEs stated that despite the €1.8 billion rescue package issued by the government, Malta will have to prepare for mass layoffs, business closures and unemployment since this is not enough to support all employees. Amongst others, small businesses will suffer due to this pandemic as there would not be enough money to compensate employees, resulting in a high rate of unemployment.

The Maltese Government has announced a number of financial packages in order to assist businesses in staying afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and self-employed persons may benefit from the following under the Business Assistance package:

  • The COVID Wage Supplement has been extended till end of June 2021, after which it will be reduced gradually before ending in December 2021. Depending on the category of employment or industry, employees and self-employed persons continue to benefit from wage supplements of up to €800 for full-timers and €500 for part-timers.
  • From July 2020 ineligible pensioners and students registered with JobsPlus since 9th of March 2020 may now be considered for the Wage Supplement Scheme.
  • Bank guarantees for companies requesting operational loans with low interest rates and longer repayment period in line with the Malta Development Bank (MBD) ‘COVID-19’ Guarantee Scheme whereby the MBD guarantees any loans granted by commercial banks to Maltese businesses suffering from acute liquidity shortage due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Business Re-Engineering and Transformation Scheme – SMEs operating in Malta and employing 10-250 persons can benefit from a cash grant covering 50%, with a maximum of €5000, per undertaking to optimise the use of technology within their operations. Beneficiaries may receive this grant every 18 months up to the 31st of October 2023.
  • VAT Payments deferral scheme – this scheme has been extended whereby applicants are able to make smaller payments up until March 2022, interest free.
  • Businesses participating in international fairs can benefit from an 80% refund for any cancelled fairs due to the pandemic.
  • Innovation Scheme – SME’s working IoT solutions and AI integration processes benefit from a grant covering 50% of the costs, capped at €200,000. Large enterprises can benefit when collaborating with SMEs.
  • Export Credit Guarantee scheme – a €10M budget has been allocated to encourage diversification of markets such as the African Continent, Middle East, Latin America.
  • Modernisation of Construction equipment – cash grants can be given covering 40% of the costs of purchasing new construction equipment, up to €200,000.
  • Investment Aid Scheme – businesses operating within the production of COVID-19 related products may benefit from a grant covering 80% of the production costs provided products are completed within 6 months from the start of works. An additional 15% is granted for completion within 2 months.
  • Skills Development Scheme – a €5M budget has been allocated for grants to SMEs employing not more than 50 people to facilitate in-house training of employees.
  • COVID-19 R&D Fund – a €5.3M budget to aid public, academic and private entities for projects, lasting not more than 18 months, relating to the tackling of the current and future pandemics initiated between February 2020 till end of year.
  • A €5M budget was allocated towards refunds for license payments made to the Trade department and MTA.
  • A Bond underwriting facility in which the Malta Development Bank acted as underwriter for private enterprise bonds. This has closed in the year 2020.
  • Temporary refund of 33% of port charges for those ships that bring cargo into Malta supporting the economic chain and 10% refund on container discharge fees for imports and exports.
  • COVID-19 Export Research Scheme – helps beneficiaries to invest in marketing campaigns targeted at foreign markets.
  • Rent refund scheme for self-employed and businesses – refund on the rent and electricity payments for undertakings operating from business premises. All businesses which have received or are receiving support under the Wage Supplement Scheme are eligible to benefit from this temporary measure.
Get in touch with us to see whether your business can benefit from any of these incentives.

TESTIMONIALS

"According to our experience, E&S Consultancy team is made up of well-trained and skilled professionals who are always there to satisfy your business needs with reference to Maltase law. Their work is well organized and carried out in a precise and timely manner. I look forward to continuing my cooperation with E&S Consultancy."

Giorgio Crotta & Marco Compagnino - FIDINAM & Partners

"E&S assisted us with various transactions related to the expansion of our client's global structure. They have provided reliable tax advice; their expertise and efforts have been commendable. We would recommend E&S as an effective service provider."

Mitchell B. Kops & Jill Kelly - Withers Bergman

“E&S Consultancy really provides quality advice with commercial understanding. I have never experienced such a combination of know-how, pro-activeness and entrepreneurial thinking from any advisor. We are very impressed by the professionalism, attention to detail and efficiency of their staff. E&S Consultancy is an excellent firm which knows how to look after its customers."

Florian Karrer - Walters & Karrer Internacional

"Christian Ellul of E&S Consultancy has assisted us with advising on a number of transactions through Malta with particular tax driven expertise involved. We have found their tax and legal services very professional and efficient, with a client-driven approach and sound value for money investment for clients. We can, therefore, recommend E&S Consultancy as a law firm to be used in Malta."

Javier Morera - Broseta Abogados

"I've known E&S Consultancy for many years. They are knowledgeable, friendly and extremely helpful. Their team of experienced professionals has always offered courteous and immediate assistance. They are the best!"

Florian Karrer - Walters & Karrer Internacional

"We are happy to have E&S Group as our legal and transaction consultants. Their reliable and prompt advise on Maltese regulations and requirements has been extremely helpful throughout. Through our interactions with Mariella, Deborah and Anton among others, we find their team to be courteous, skilled, and promptly available to assist us as needed."

Prashanth Swaminathan, CEO of XDAT

“Having E&S as a reliable and trusted firm in Malta handling all the complexities of our corporate operations has been a real pleasure. I would recommend E&S Consultancy to anyone who is seeking the right partner when setting up in Malta"

Eric Benz, CEO of Changelly

"Applying for the MPRP is a complex project but with E&S team, the whole process didn’t seem to be as complex. The team first explained the process and then created a very detailed work activity tracker explaining each activity clearly. The team was very quick to respond to any clarifications and gave us confidence, helping in every step to make the process doable. One of the key areas for E&S’ success in guiding us was the painstaking detailed documentation and steps to be followed. Moreover, the process moved fast, and we got our approval the first time, in one shot. I would strongly recommend E&S for MPRP process as with them, you will get it done successfully and faster than others.  For me, I see the full form of E&S as Efficiency and Success for its clients."

Rangin Lahiri - CEO & Founder of YVC Europe Ltd

"E&S provides comprehensive, holistic and dedicated professional services related to company incorporation, Advisory, Risk & Compliance, Tax & Legal, Accounting and others. In the past 6 years, I have used most of these services and the company has very competent employees and professionals who understand the scope of the work and seek to deliver excellence in all the tasks they adhere to.

E&S can be considered as a one-stop shop services provider especially for start-ups. I will not hesitate to recommend E&S to others who want to use the professional services they offer due to their service oriented, and high level of professionalism."

Michael Gatt – Global Gaming Group (CFO)

"I always feel at ease when E&S’s legal team answers our Human Resource questions from the perspective of the company. They are not only very responsive to any questions, but also extremely patient. E&S are aware of the requirements of our organisation and, if they foresees any issues, advises us accordingly. I wholeheartedly recommend E&S Group to my other co-workers with particular reference to Dr Anthea and Dr Jade who are very reliable to handle inquiries."

Kathleen Dilley - Royce Technology

"We have had the pleasure of working with E&S since 2009, and their commitment to delivering high-quality results with a meticulous and professional approach has made them an invaluable partner in our long-standing collaboration."

Anna Davies at ANCROFT Corporate Consultants, London, UK

[testimonials_cycle theme="clean_style" count="-1" order_by="date" order="ASC" show_title="0" use_excerpt="0" show_thumbs="1" show_date="1" show_other="1" hide_view_more="0" output_schema_markup="1" show_rating="stars" testimonials_per_slide="1" transition="fade" timer="5000" pause_on_hover="true" auto_height="container" show_pager_icons="1" prev_next="1" display_pagers_above="0" paused="0"]"We have worked with E&S Group for the last 18 months and we have found the people working there to be experienced and knowledgeable, in particular Dr. Deborah Vella and Nicole Said, Director and Head of Corporate Administration respectively. Both are professional and great to work with.  We hope that we can continue our collaboration for many years to come."

Mr Stephen Balzan, Director at ACT Advisory Services (2023)

"We've been honoured to cultivate a robust partnership over several years, focusing mainly on joint efforts with Dr. Deborah and Dr. Jade. The highlight of our collaboration is not just their expansive legal proficiency, but also their steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of professionalism. We deeply appreciate our straightforward and clear communication, underpinned by mutual understanding and respect, which consistently prioritizes the requirements and interests of our shared clientele."

Mr Ali Zarzouri, Business Development Manager at Malte Conseils (2023)

COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES

BUSINESS CONTINUITY 

REMOTE WORKING

QUARANTINE LEAVE

SOCIAL MEASURES