Business & Economy


March 12, 2024 Mediterranean Observer

Businesses Discuss EU Textile and Food Waste Measures

The Malta Business Bureau organised an information session with businesses on the EU’s proposal for a revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD). The European Commission has now proposed a revision of the WFD to place a greater emphasis on the reduction and proper management of food waste and textile waste. For the first time, the new […]

March 16, 2023 Mediterranean Observer

Brussels│European Green Deal: EU agrees stronger rules to boost energy efficiency

The Commission welcomes the provisional agreement reached this morning with the European Parliament and the Council to reform and strengthen the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. This deal marks a further step in the completion of the ‘Fit for 55′ package to deliver the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. It shows once again the […]
6min 10886

NextGenerationEU I Commission disburses first payment of €52.3 million to Malta under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Today’s payment of €52.3 million in grants was made possible by Malta’s fulfilment of the 16 milestones and 3 targets in the first instalment. The payment request covers important measures such as the adoption of a strategy to reduce waste through recycling in the construction sector, the establishment of office facilities to enable civil servants […]
4min 1263

UPDATES – MBB Brussels Report January 2023

European Parliament adopts position on Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) New private buildings constructed as early as 2028 will be required to be zero-emission. Solar energy solutions must be installed on all public and private non-residential buildings where economically and technically feasible. The next step is for the Parliament and Council to negotiate a […]
3min 2308

February 13, 2023 Mediterranean Observer

Brussels│Proposal for a Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation

Position Paper Context Increasing recycling and reuse rates are central parts of achieving the EU’s circularity objectives. The proposed review of the Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive will aim to bring packaging legislation in line with the objectives set out in EU strategies such as the EU Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. […]
5min 14226

January 5, 2023 Mediterranean Observer

Malta | December was warmest in 100 years as balmy weather continues into New Year

Heat weather records have been smashed in Malta and across Europe Temperatures for December reached a 100-year high in Malta as warm weather records are smashed across Europe, according to the Malta Met Office. The mean maximum temperature last month was 19.5°C, the highest since 1922, and more than two degrees higher than the 17°C […]
4min 2518

November 30, 2022 Mediterranean Observer

Brussels | EU to ban single-use packaging used in hotels & restaurants

The European Commission has issued a proposal to review the current Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). The objective of this review shall be to further improve packaging design to enable cost-effective recycling, and to reduce packaging waste. This shall include replacing the current Directive with a Regulation, which promises to level the playing-field within […]
6min 2689

November 14, 2022 Mediterranean Observer

Autumn 2022 Economic Forecast I The EU economy at a turning point

After a strong first half of the year, the EU economy has now entered a much more challenging phase. The shocks unleashed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine are denting global demand and reinforcing global inflationary pressures. The EU is among the most exposed advanced economies, due to its geographical proximity to the war […]
8min 2192

November 7, 2022 Mediterranean Observer

Brussels│Commission acts to promote transparency in the short-term rental sector to the benefit of all players

Today, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation to enhance transparency in the field of short-term accommodation rentals and help public authorities ensure their balanced development as part of a sustainable tourism sector. While short-term accommodation bookings offer benefits for hosts and tourists, they can create concerns for certain local communities struggling, for instance, […]
6min 1984

October 25, 2022 Mediterranean Observer

Brussels │‘Fit for 55’: Council agrees on stricter rules for energy performance of buildings

The Council today reached an agreement (general approach) on a proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The main objectives of the revision are that all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings by 2030, and that existing buildings should be transformed into zero-emission buildings by 2050. As regards new buildings, the Council agreed […]
7min 45218



About the Mediterranean Observer

The Mediterranean Observer is a news portal dedicated to travel tourism, and hospitality in the Mediterranean region. This portal is managed by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation, based in the Mediterranean country of Malta.


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