The Malta Development Bank (MDB) has welcomed more than 30 representatives from 17 promotional banks across the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom for the quarterly meeting of the Network of European Financial Institutions for SMEs (NEFI) in Malta.
The NEFI Permanent Working Group, meeting in Malta for the first time, aims to provide expertise and guidance to the EU and its financial institutions on the design and implementation of EU-wide promotional and financing schemes, with a strong focus on supporting SMEs. The meeting in Malta is addressing current challenges and exploring solutions to improve small businesses’ access to finance.
Welcoming the delegates, MDB CEO Paul V. Azzopardi highlighted the value of collaboration within the network, recalling how the Permanent Working Group has proven to be an indispensable platform, not only for discussing key financial and policy developments but also for forging meaningful partnerships.
“In a world where challenges are ever-changing—whether it be economic uncertainty, sustainability imperatives, or digital transformation—our collaboration has never been more important. By working together, sharing insights, and learning from one another, we strengthen our ability to respond proactively and effectively to emerging needs of SMEs”, Mr Azzopardi said.
L-MDB jilqa’ l-Grupp Permanenti ta’ Ħidma tan-NEFI f’Malta
Il-Bank Malti għall-Iżvilupp (MDB) laqa’ aktar minn 30 rappreżentant minn 17-il bank promozzjonali minn madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea (UE) u r-Renju Unit għal-laqgħa tan-Network tal-Istituzzjonijiet Finanzjarji Ewropej għall-SMEs (NEFI) f’Malta.
Il-Grupp ta’ Ħidma Permanenti tan-NEFI, li qed jiltaqa’ f’Malta għall-ewwel darba, għandu l-għan li jipprovdi għarfien u gwida lill-UE u l-istituzzjonijiet finanzjarji tagħha dwar id-disinn u l-implimentazzjoni ta’ skemi promozzjonali u ta’ finanzjament mifruxa madwar l-Unjoni, b’enfasi qawwi fuq l-appoġġ għall-SMEs. Il-laqgħa f’Malta kellha l-għan li tindirizza l-isfidi attwali u li jinstabu soluzzjonijiet biex l-aċċess għall-finanzi tan-negozji ż-żgħar għall-finanzi jissaħħaħ.
Fid-diskors introduttorju tiegħu, il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-MDB Paul V. Azzopardi rrimarka l-valur kollaborattiv ta’ dan in-Network, u fakkar kif il-Grupp ta’ Ħidma Permanenti qed iservi ta’ pjattoforma indispensabbli mhux biss biex jiddiskuti żviluppi finanzjarji u politiċi ewlenin iżda wkoll biex isaħħaħ sħubiji effettivi f’dan is-settur.
“F’dinja fejn l-isfidi qed jinbidlu kontinwament, kemm jekk inċertezza ekonomika, ir-rekwiżiti tas-sostenibbiltà jew it-trasformazzjoni digitali, il-kollaborazzjoni ta’ bejnietna qatt ma kienet daqstant importanti. B’din il-ħidma kollettiva, permezz tal-bdil ta’ għarfien u esperjenzi, u billi nitgħallmu minn xulxin, insaħħu l-ħila tagħna li nwieġbu b’mod proattiv u effettiv għall-bżonnijiet emerġenti tal-SMEs”, sostna s-Sur Azzopardi.