PN MEP Peter Agius and Shadow Finance Minister Adrian Delia have proposed a €30 million EU-funded scheme that would offer Maltese consumers free deliveries when shopping from participating local and European businesses.The proposal, put forward by PN MEP Peter Agius and Shadow Finance Minister Adrian Delia, aims to offset delivery costs while providing consumers with alternatives to online shopping platforms such as Temu and Shein.Under the proposed scheme, participating businesses would be reimbursed for delivery costs of up to €3 per item category, with each business eligible for a maximum of €30,000.The initiative would cover both online and offline purchases involving delivery, with businesses required to offer free delivery to Malta to qualify for the financial assistance.The proposal comes in response to new EU charges on imports from outside the bloc, including a €3 customs duty introduced in July on different categories of goods in low-value parcels and a separate €2 handling fee due to take effect in November.Delia argued that the additional charges would place a further burden on families who rely on affordable online shopping, particularly as delivery costs from European retailers to Malta can also be high.He said the PN wants to provide consumers with more alternatives while supporting local producers and smaller businesses.The proposed scheme would involve an annual investment of €15 million over two years, beginning in January 2027, with the possibility of extending it beyond 2028.The PN is proposing that the Maltese government initially finance the initiative before applying for EU funding to cover up to 75% of the costs through programmes supporting the digitalisation of small and medium-sized businesses.Participating businesses would be reimbursed every six months for eligible delivery costs, with applications open to Maltese and European SMEs that meet the scheme’s conditions.Agius said the initiative could also encourage businesses to invest in online sales platforms, local delivery networks and collection points.Meanwhile, Delia called on the government to consider the proposal as part of the upcoming budget, arguing that Malta should respond to the new EU charges by creating more opportunities for both consumers and businesses.The scheme would still require government backing, the necessary European Commission approval and funding arrangements before it could be introduced.Would free delivery encourage you to shop more frequently from Maltese and European businesses?•