The Malta Developers Association had a cordial meeting with the Prime Minister Robert Abela and other Ministers, namely, Hon. Miriam Dalli, Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Hon. Silvio Schembri and Hon. Aaron Farrugia.
The MDA’s president, Michael Stivala, stated that “the Association has been the catalyst for economic growth during the pandemic, and unlike other industries, most of which benefited from long wage benefits, we never asked for any direct assistance but instead played a key role in sustaining the economy.”
Stivala expressed that this commitment would be futile if not backed by the political commitment from the government to reduce the extra bureaucracy that is consistently diminishing Maltese and Gozitan entrepreneurs. Unbridled bureaucracy just prolongs processes and is not enjoyed by anyone, and it is only the consumer who will ultimately have to make up for it.
The authorities need to be able to fully understand the difficulties that the industry is facing and that adding more regulations will not solve them. The industry must not be perceived as a milking cow upon which extra costs are imposed – and paid for every day – for no additional value. The LESA and the BCA are a clear example of where such red tape stands out. The Prime Minister expressed his understanding and agreed that this is a concern that the government is willing to tackle.
The industry must not be perceived as a milking cow upon which extra costs are imposed – and paid for every day – for no additional value
With related Ministers present for the meeting, Michael Stivala also addressed some environmental issues in which he expressed his disappointment in how certain areas are left in neglect, especially in the countryside, where not even the basic weed and logs from the rubble walls are being cleaned and removed.
Stivala continued that there are still narrow roads with uncontrolled random parking sides. All this puts stress on the residents, who then often shift the blame of the pursuing chaos onto the closest crane trying to carry out works but prevented from starting before 9.30/10 in the morning!
Stivala emphasised that when we talk about the environment, we need to look at the big picture and not just object and criticise private development based on envy and selfishness.
The MDA’s President concluded that the people have shown trust in this Government with a strong mandate in favour of progress. It is time that certain decisions need to be taken, even if they may seem to be drastic ones and not the most popular, but this is the only way to keep the desired economic stability
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