The Malta Business Bureau’s EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Project has been awarded first place for this year’s National Enterprise Support Awards.

The National Enterprise Support Awards was organised for the fourth consecutive time by the Commerce Department which forms part of the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business. This national competition is the 1st phase of a European drive to recognise excellence in promoting entrepreneurship.  The MBB’s EU LIFE+ Investing in Water project was submitted based on its contribution to helping enterprises improve their resource efficiency.

The Minster for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, Dr.Chris Cardona congratulated the Malta Business Bureau on achieving first place in the National Enterprise Support Award with their innovative project. Dr.Cardona said that the main objectives of such an initiative reflect the commitment the government has pledged to the needs of small enterprises. “Economic growth – both on a European and a local level – depends greatly on these enterprises and for this reason, the government cannot but support such initiatives.” said Dr.Cardona.
The EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Project, led by the MBB in partnership with the Malta Chamber and the MHRA, ran for a 30 month period from October 2011 to March 2014. During this period 135 enterprises collaborated with the project, sharing and being provided with recommendations and training on how to implement water saving best practice.

By the project’s end, enterprises which had adopted water saving measures were saving an estimated 141 million litres of water every year – enough to supply the needs of two medium sized four star hotels and three large water consuming factories.

Commenting on the award, MBB CEO Joe Tanti said “While thanking the panel for this prestigious award, we must also credit the enterprises which have recognised the need for increased resource efficiency, collaborated with the project, adopted water saving measures and reduced their consumption. These enterprises, which recognise that environmental measures make business sense, are pioneers in driving industry to ever higher levels of sustainability.”

Mr Tanti thanked Project Manager Geoffrey Saliba and the project team for their work in ensuring the project was a success.

Malta’s National Enterprise Support Awards went to the MBB from the Other Entities’ category, whilst the Naxxar Local Council ranked first in the Local Councils’ category. Both MBB and Naxxar Local Council will be Malta’s projects of choice to compete in the prestigious European Enterprise Promotion Awards. These awards will be organised in November 2014 in Italy, with winners chosen from projects presented by each EU Member State.

The EU LIFE+ Investing in Water Project received 50% co-financing under the European Community’s LIFE funding programme, with the Ministry responsible for the environment as the main co-financier, further co-financing and sponsorship from Easydry Malta, APS Bank, Island Hotels Group, and MSV LIFE.

Photo:
Photo 1 – Hon. Minister Cardona presented the MBB with the first place award for the National Enterprise Support Awards.
Photo 2 – The MBB project team and Hon. Minister Cardona, after the MBB was awarded first place at the National Enterprise Support Awards.