Dr Leon Chetcuti has recently been named CEO of the Malta Development Association (MDA).
Working closely with the Association’s Council and its President Michael Stivala, and while having taken over the day-to-day running of the MDA and its public consultations, he is committed to further strengthen the MDA and its endeavours.
Dr Chetcuti is aware of the challenges he is to be facing and is eager to provide his direct input into the amelioration of the industry and its direct effects on all.
Leon had been a council member on the Association’s board, having been elected two years ago by the association’s members. After a full tenure, he was re-elected to the council but resigned so as to take up the post of CEO. A lawyer by profession, he is inherently competent in understanding and presenting the right legislation to benefit both industry and nation alike. “This sector sees new legislative drafts being presented on a weekly basis, together with new policies and their implementation, which requires a good mind for technical analysis and legalities,” he explained. Having a legal background definitely supports the rigorous demands of this role as it enables the CEO to better navigate the constant legal changes faced by the development industry.
There is no question that the MDA has become a highly credible and respected organisation – arguably Malta’s most vital industry Association, and commonly considered as the “highest body and voice for the Real Estate and Construction Industry in Malta”. Dr Chetcuti stressed that an important part of the Association’s remit is to review new laws and policies, to see how these are aligned with its vision for the industry. “Being knowledgeable about how the law works really supports this process and helps crystallise the positions and decisions taken by the MDA,” he said.
The MDA’s council members are elected by the Association’s members to develop and implement the organisation’s agenda. As such, council members face a substantial workload on a voluntary – and unpaid basis.
“Therefore a full time executive role is the Association’s logical step forward in that extensive work is necessary to garner knowledge from the industry’s internal and external stakeholders, and to compile, perfect, and present to the Council – and subsequently to the government – its proposals” he explained.
While the role of the MDA’s CEO does not feature a specific mandate, Leon has short, medium and long-term goals to reach. “One of the central issues for me to look into is to improve the efficiency of the Association’s internal operations. I am also keen to build upon and strengthen what has been achieved by our presidents,” he added.
Leon outlined that the role of the MDA’s CEO is more focused on the day to day operations, implementing and following up on council level decisions, while working hand-in-hand with the association’s president. “The role of the CEO is also to implement the directions and decisions as set out by the Association’s President and Council. My modus operandi in this regard is increasing engagement through more meetings, enhancing transparency, and providing comprehensive information to members.
“I know first-hand what has been discussed over the past two years and I can therefore understand our matters’ factual contexts”
I aim to be receptive to the diverse needs of stakeholders, including the general public, ensuring that decisions are well-informed and contribute to the overall development and prosperity of the industry. My previous role on the council supports my work as CEO, since I know firsthand what has been discussed over the past two years and I can therefore understand our matters’ factual contexts,” he stated. That Leon is born and bred within the property and development industry, also gives him a solid backing in – and understanding of the industry.
The MDA is focused on protecting the interests of all its sections’ members, which encompass a range of different stakeholders. “We listen to all parties and take in the different viewpoints into consideration when formulating our position,” he said, adding that this gives the Association both credibility and expertise. “Therefore, our proposals are well thought out and tangible.”
“We listen to all parties and take in the different viewpoints into consideration when formulating our position … Therefore, our proposals are well thought out and tangible”
Leon also addressed the Association’s recent brand enhancement, which displays a change in both its name and its logo from Malta Developers Association to Malta Development Association. “This reflects our industry-wide focus, as opposed to the interests of individual developers,” Leon explained. The initiative also brings the MDA’s image up to date with its current ethos.
“When the MDA was established some eleven years ago, it only had a few members which all hailed from the development sector. Today the Association represents a large number of members; from 11 different sectors within the industry, including developers, contractors, builders, quarry owners, traders, condominium service providers, estate agents, road contractors, landlords, excavation and demolition operators, as well as members from the renewable energy sector,” he concluded.
Leon explained that opening up the Association’s membership also enabled the organisation to bring together a wide array of industry stakeholders, supporting more organic discussions and a holistic perspective of the industry; thus also holistically strengthening the Association for all its section members.
The MDA has now also updated its statute. Leon added that the Association’s original statute was written over a decade ago and required an update in order to reflect its current operations. “This update brings us up to speed with the current times. And the Association and its remit will continue to grow as new challenges emerge and solutions will need to be found so as to retain and expand upon the Association’s importance and assistive roles,” he explained.
“we must avoid having unnecessarily cumbersome bureaucratic procedures which ultimately lead nowhere”
Leon also wanted to address government bureaucracy which the Association considers as excessive at times and hampers the industry. He stressed that the MDA is not against bureaucracy, per se. “We understand the need for – and welcome – effective tightening of the sectors within which we operate, but processes and procedures must be streamlined, and we must avoid having unnecessarily cumbersome bureaucratic procedures which ultimately lead nowhere,” he explained. The MDA CEO stated that whilst laws significantly help to regulate and control the development sectors and deal with emerging issues, “we also face situations where misinterpretations of policies (even, at times, by the authorities) have a negative impact on the work, creating a stumbling block. This is the kind of bureaucracy which we are against.”
Leon commented on the EU’s recent statement which found that the three major challenges faced by Malta in the property development sector are the lack of human resources, excessive bureaucracy and delay in payments (including Government payment terms to the industry). “It’s not easy to employ suitable foreign workers in this sector and delays in permits are an issue. Therefore, I am working closely with the relevant authorities to find solutions,” Leon noted.
The Association also sees the tasking of national works to private enterprise as a sensible solution to supporting the local infrastructure and industries alike. “The country has seen rapid expansion over the past years and we are finding that the privatisation of works has proved to be an enhanced solution to road construction,” he said as an example to this factor.
“It’s not easy to employ suitable foreign workers in this sector and delays in permits are an issue”
Leon regrets that “there are a lot of misconceptions about who we are and what we do. Notwithstanding the obvious element of development being a necessary by-product of national financial stability, it – and the inconveniences it often causes – does upset people. And this dissatisfaction is at times projected upon the MDA,” he commented. Part of Dr Chetcuti’s remit as MDA CEO includes giving the public the means of understanding the issues better and supporting the MDA to instigate positive contributions from the sectors it encompasses.
Dr Chetcuti also wants to address the misconception that the MDA only seeks to benefit its members. “For example, the MDA-proposed scheme for first-time buyers has indeed benefited the developers and the industry at large, but members of the general public have also benefited greatly from this our initiative. Another policy that the MDA has worked on was the condominium reform and this has also benefited the public,” Leon explained. “I will strive to change this unjust perspective towards Property Industry. And whilst acknowledging that bad decisions may well have been taken by the entire swathe of stakeholders in the past, the MDA is looking forward to a yet brighter future: a more sustainable one which contributes to an ever-improving quality of life. All stakeholders should elevate the quality of their work and respect the laws and regulations. Indeed, both the MDA and myself personally are clear in our insistence that irresponsible players have no place in this industry.
“Efforts will be made to communicate effectively, address concerns, and showcase the positive impact the MDA has had, is having and will continue having to the industry and to Malta and its inhabitants”
“Efforts will be made to communicate effectively, address concerns, and showcase the positive impact the MDA has had, is having and will continue having to the industry and to Malta and its inhabitants. And regular, unambiguous communication and openness will be key in correcting any misconceptions and in garnering stronger awareness from all interested parties.”
The new MDA CEO’s vision for his new role goes beyond focusing on the Association’s members, which is a given. He is keen on ensuring that MDA keeps abreast with developments in the industry and stays relevant to its members’ needs. He is also keen to address the MDA’s image among the general public.
With his legal background, knowledge of the industry and his past role on the MDA’s council, Dr Leon Chetcuti is inherently poised to further strengthen its policies, and value; to industry and country alike.
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