MBB launches training in financial literacy

The Malta Business Bureau last week launched a free and publiclyavailable training model in financial literacy for young and inexperienced entrepreneurs, as part of the EU-funded Invest project.

The launch, which was opened by Aaron Farrugia, parliamentary secretary for EU Funds and Social Dialogue, was held at the Malta Life Sciences Park in San Gwann and was attended by 60 entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

MBB president David Zahra stated: “An entrepreneur may have the best business idea or the most innovative product on the market, but they risk failure if they lack the necessary financial knowledge in creating a sound business plan and in managing generated revenue.”

This model has been specifically designed to address existing gaps in financial knowledge, within both the Maltese and wider EU markets. The gaps were identified following research investigating the existing level of financial literacy among entrepreneurs in the five partner countries, namely Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The research showed that young and inexperienced entrepreneurs in particular, wanted to improve their basic financial knowledge, preferably through an e-learning platform. Addressing this, the Invest partners developed an online training model, allowing participants to learn at their own pace and in their preferred time.

MBB CEO Joe Tanti said: “Financial literacy, among small business operators, not only reduces the risk of failure and helps keep the business going, but also means that entrepreneurs will be in a better position to take advantage of opportunities that may arise.”

“The goal of this training model is not to turn entrepreneurs into accountants or financial experts but to improve their standards on simple, foundational skills that have a huge impact on their company’s bottom line,” Tanti continued.

The Invest training model offers 30 hours of training customised to the entrepreneur’s skill gaps. The model strongly focuses on accounting, savings and investment for entrepreneurs and was developed from input by experts within the seven partner organisations.

MBB invites all entrepreneurs and stakeholders to be among the first to test this training model and help the project partners to improve it for the benefit of the Maltese and European business communities. For more information on the Invest training model visit http://www.investproject.eu/ or contact MBB executive Marija Elena Borg on mborg@mbb.org.mt or by phoning on +356 2125 1719.