Addressing social partners at a specially-convened MCESD meeting, Abela said that both oil and gas supply lines remain secure and confirmed that energy subsidies will continue. He described the government’s approach as one that prioritises ongoing support for households and enterprises, even in the face of rising global uncertainty.

Referring to recent data published by Eurostat, the prime minister noted that inflation across the euro area rose from 1.9% to 2.6% between February and March. He contrasted this with Malta’s performance, stating that inflation locally declined during the same period and is expected to continue easing in the months ahead.

“While no one expected this situation to happen, we were prepared,” Abela said, pointing to the government’s handling of previous crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. He acknowledged that current global economic pressures may be more intense than those experienced in 2020 or 2022 but maintained that the government has consistently charted a clear path forward.

Looking ahead, Abela said Malta’s energy infrastructure will be strengthened with the completion of a second electricity interconnector later this year. He added that discussions are already underway on the possibility of a third interconnector to further secure supply.

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli also moved to reassure the public, emphasising that the government’s energy policy rests on two main pillars: price stability and security of supply. She dismissed warnings by the opposition regarding Malta’s liquefied natural gas supply as “irresponsible” and “partisan.”

Dalli confirmed that current arrangements guarantee energy supply until August, when the existing contract with Electrogas is due to expire. She added that preparations for the period beyond that deadline are already underway, with several potential suppliers expressing interest in continuing to provide energy to Malta.

“We realise people are concerned when they hear about global developments, but there is no reason for alarm,” Dalli said, reiterating that both price stability and supply will continue to be safeguarded.

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue Andy Ellul highlighted the importance of ongoing consultation between stakeholders, describing social dialogue as a key strength in Malta’s decision-making process. He said the council provides a platform where all parties can come together to discuss issues of national importance in a constructive manner.

The government’s message throughout the meeting remained consistent: despite international instability, Malta’s energy sector is secure, with plans in place to ensure both immediate stability and long-term resilience.

The post Government tells MCESD energy prices will remain stable despite global tensions first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli, together with the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS), launched the 2026 renewable energy initiatives to continue accelerating Malta’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy, a government statement said.

“This package reflects government’s continued commitment to move forward in Malta’s energy transition. We are investing in both large-scale infrastructure and households, ensuring families and businesses benefit from cleaner, more affordable energy while strengthening national energy security and resilience,” Dalli said.

REWS CEO Ing. Maria Aquilina said that these initiatives are designed to make renewable energy more accessible at every level.

“From major projects to household systems, REWS remains committed to supporting applicants through clear guidance and effective implementation,” Aquilina said.

The package includes renewable energy initiatives for households and industries in three separate categories.

These include household grant schemes coupled with a Feed-in Tariff supporting investment in photovoltaic systems and battery storage; Feed-in Tariff for installations below 40kWp (applicable to both residential and non-residential); and 2026 Invitations to Bid (ITBs) for large-scale renewable energy projects.

Through the ITBs, government will offer 20-year contracts for a premium per kilowatt-hour (kWh) generated, the statement said.

Projects will be selected through a competitive pay-as-bid process based on cost efficiency and available capacity.

In 2026, two calls consisting of one ITB for each of the categories 40kW up to less than 200kW and 200kW up to less than 1MW, will run concurrently, it said.

The statement said that the capacity available for allocation in each call will be 2.5MW (40kW up to less than 200kW) and 5000kW (200kW up to less than 1MW).

This means that a total of 15MW will be available for allocation. The bid price will be capped at €0.14 /kWh, it said.

A separate call for renewable energy installations of 1MW or more will have a capacity allocation of 38MW.

The maximum allowed bid price will be between €0.094/kWh and €0.177/kWh, depending on the type and category of installation.

The statement said that households and non-households that install a small-scale photovoltaic system below 40kWp, and do not benefit from a grant, will continue to receive a Feed-in Tariff of €0.15/kWh, guaranteed for 20 years with a total allocation of 8MWp in 2026.

Over the past three years, 9.2MWp were offered a Feed-in Tariff of €0.15/kWh without a grant. In parallel, REWS will be administering renewable energy schemes for households with a total budget of €15.3 million, including €4.1 million for photovoltaic systems and €11.2 million for battery storage.

Applications open on 20 April, and will remain available until November 2026, or until funds are exhausted, the statement said.

The RES grant scheme offers three options: a PV system with a hybrid inverter; a Hybrid/Battery inverter and battery storage; or battery storage only.

Owners of PV installations on residential premises (even those that do not benefit from any aid on the PV system i.e. no feed-in tariff or grant) and connected to the grid for at least six years may apply for a Hybrid/Battery inverter and battery storage.

An additional 5% financial incentive for the grant scheme will be available for equipment compliant with the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which promotes the production and adoption of clean energy technologies across Europe, the statement said.

The post Government launches new €15 million renewable energy schemes for 2026 first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Approaching this summer season is a set of new rules that will be re-shaping several aspects of the hospitality sector across Malta and Gozo, affecting all types of tourism accommodations, including hotels, boutique hotels, and short-term rental properties.ADVERTISEMENTPlayFullscreen0:01-0:28Mute

These new regulations were published on Wednesday via a legal notice, under the Malta Travel and Tourism Services Act.

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Foreign Affairs, Ian Borg, announced several new rules that will be affecting the industry as a whole and the short-let scene in particular. Minister Borg said that these regulations look to keep raising the standard of tourist accommodations across the Maltese islands.

“The new regulations will close enforcement gaps and align existing regulations with the Maltese Islands’ strategic shift towards a higher-value tourism offering, while safeguarding the wellbeing of local communities,” Minister Borg said.

In a bid to promote Malta as a higher quality destination, these laws will stop tourism authorities from licensing new all-inclusive and tourist villages. These new rules will also stop applications for one-star and two-star accommodations from being filed altogether.

Minister Borg remarked that through these regulations, “which will raise standards across all accommodation categories,” Maltese authorities are ensuring that visitors’ expectations continue to be met and exceeded.

As part of this reform, only hotel applications with not more than 200 rooms will be considered once these changes are officially in force; this will also act as an expansion cap for hotel extensions and redevelopments. In addition, guesthouses will be limited to having not more than 20 rooms; they must also be located in Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs) and in either a Scheduled building or one with distinctive architectural characteristics, and only if the development will preserve the property’s architectural heritage.

The only applications for new hostels that will be considered for approval are ones of an educational nature, inside residential zones, with a maximum of 40 beds.

These new regulations will also introduce new conditions over the entire sector, with specific focus towards the short-let industry.

These changes are also removing the exemption that has allowed hotels to construct an additional two storeys over local plan limits. This means that new applications will no longer be allowed to rise two floors higher than stipulated, extending also for existing hotels looking to expand upwards.

They will also impose for all apartments being rented out to tourists to include air conditioning.

These new laws, for the first time, are introducing the labels of boutique hotels and luxury boutique hotels into Maltese legislation, thus encouraging further investments in these upscale accommodations.

Two new accommodation labels are also being introduced: “Heritage” and “Diffuso” types. Diffuso accommodations are hotels or guesthouses operating across multiple converted buildings located within the same UCA, all in the proximity of a central building housing the main, central facility. “Heritage Hotels” will refer to three-star, four-star, and five-star hotels and guesthouses in buildings of historical importance, according to the relevant authorities, that have had their distinctive heritage features adequately preserved.

Significant changes to short-let rentals

Minister Borg shared that for all short-lets, as part of these changes coming into force this June, their owners or operators will be obliged to display their licence numbers on a sign outside the property, along with its owner’s name and phone number. This sign will need to remain on display at all hours so that they may receive complaints or be notified about certain issues at all times.

For properties forming part of a condominium, owners, once they are issued with a valid MTA short-let licence, will be obliged to provide this information to the residential block administrators as well.

A 10-person cap will be imposed onto all short-lets. These types of accommodations will also need to submit and provide a waste collection management plan, among other related requirements.

The Minister stated that all short-let operators caught without an authorised licence will be liable to a three-year disqualification, plus extra applicable penalties.

The post New one-star and two-star hotels barred, height exemption for hotels removed in new tourism rules first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

That is the good news.

The better news is that this is not mere rhetoric. Malta has, over time, built genuine strengths in niche industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, aviation and maritime services. These are precisely the types of sectors a small island state should target: industries driven by innovation, skills and intellectual property rather than by land use or volume. In that sense, the shift Gregory describes is not only desirable – it is necessary.

Malta’s stability also remains one of its most valuable selling points. At a time when global investors are unnerved by war, supply chain disruption and energy insecurity, the promise of political continuity, economic support measures and relative agility carries real weight. For foreign investors, certainty often matters as much as opportunity.

Yet Malta must be careful not to become complacent.

Stability, while important, cannot become a substitute for deeper structural reform. Subsidies and crisis management can help maintain competitiveness in the short term, but they are not a long-term economic strategy. The real test is whether Malta can translate its current resilience into a more productive, higher-skilled and more innovative economy.

And this is where the challenges become harder.

Gregory himself acknowledges the issue: skills shortages remain acute. Businesses across sectors continue to struggle to find the talent they need, and while re-skilling, up-skilling and the embrace of artificial intelligence are the right priorities, these solutions take time. Malta cannot simply declare itself an innovation hub; it must build the workforce, institutions and research pipelines that make such a label credible.

There is also the question of speed. Research and development may be growing, but if innovation cannot reach the market quickly enough, Malta risks losing out to faster-moving competitors. The country has promising academic work and emerging start-up initiatives, particularly in semiconductors, but commercialisation remains a weak link.

Then there is the issue that no official can ignore: reputation and quality of life. High-value investors may be attracted by incentives and strategic location, but they also look at infrastructure, governance, congestion, planning, and the broader business environment. Malta’s pitch cannot rest solely on tax efficiency, subsidies or agility. It must be backed by a country that functions well.

Gregory’s call for Malta Enterprise itself to become more customer-centric is therefore significant. If Malta wants better investment, it must also offer a better experience.

The direction is correct. A more selective, innovation-led economy is the right ambition for Malta. But the country should not confuse potential with achievement. The foundations may be there, yet turning that promise into durable success will require discipline, reform and a willingness to confront the weaknesses that still hold Malta back.

The post Editorial: Malta’s investment pitch is stronger – but the hard work is only beginning first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Bugibba’s business community is facing the prospect of yet another difficult summer, as prolonged works on the locality’s main square continue to disrupt commercial activity and deter visitors. What was initially presented as a regeneration project has, for many entrepreneurs, become a source of financial strain, uncertainty, and mounting frustration, entrepreneurs told this media house.

Construction began in April last year, with expectations that the project would be completed by May 2026. With that deadline now fast approaching and little indication that works are nearing completion, business owners say they are being forced to endure a second consecutive peak season under severely compromised conditions.

From the outset, communication appears to have been inadequate. Several business operators reported that they were given only a few days’ notice before works commenced, leaving them with no realistic opportunity to plan ahead or mitigate the expected disruption. For businesses that rely heavily on seasonal trade, particularly during the summer months, this lack of preparation has had lasting consequences.

The impact on turnover has been significant. Shop owners describe a steady decline in footfall over the past year, with some struggling to justify remaining open. Reduced customer numbers have translated into lower revenues, forcing businesses to cut costs wherever possible. Employees have not been spared, with reduced working hours becoming increasingly common. In one case, a worker reported her schedule being cut from full-time to just 15 hours per week due to the downturn in activity.

The ongoing works have also undermined Bugibba’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. Visitors, who are a critical source of income for many businesses in the area, are reportedly discouraged by the state of the surroundings. Construction debris, uneven surfaces, and restricted access routes have made the area less inviting, limiting the time tourists spend there and, consequently, their likelihood to patronise local establishments.

Accessibility remains a central issue. In some instances, businesses have found their entrances obstructed or made difficult to reach due to construction materials and barriers. One operator recounted having to file a complaint after large concrete blocks were placed directly in front of their shop, effectively preventing customers from entering. Such situations not only reduce revenue but also risk long-term reputational damage, as customers may choose alternative locations.

Operational challenges have been compounded by interruptions to essential services. Reports of repeated water and electricity outages in recent weeks have added further strain, disrupting normal business operations and increasing costs. In an already fragile trading environment, these additional complications have intensified concerns about sustainability.

A particularly severe blow came in March, when access to certain pavements was completely restricted for three weeks. During this period, some businesses were forced to close altogether, resulting in direct financial losses and leaving employees without income. For small enterprises with limited financial buffers, such interruptions can have lasting repercussions.

Beyond the immediate economic impact, there is a growing sense of uncertainty about the future. Business owners are not opposing the project itself; most acknowledge the potential long-term benefits of a rehabilitated square. However, they are increasingly critical of how the works are being managed. Complaints about a lack of visible progress, limited on-site workforce, and early daily stoppages have raised questions about efficiency and oversight.

The absence of clear, consistent communication from the authorities has further exacerbated the situation. Businesses say they have received little information about revised timelines or the overall progress of the project, making it difficult to plan ahead. Attempts to seek clarification have reportedly gone unanswered, leaving operators to navigate the situation with minimal guidance.

For many in Bugibba, the concern is no longer limited to short-term disruption. There is a growing fear that prolonged mismanagement could cause lasting damage to the locality’s commercial viability. As another summer approaches, businesses are once again preparing to operate under challenging conditions, with no clear end in sight.

The post Businesses in Bugibba brace for another lost summer as square works continue to stifle trade first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The reforms are built on principles of greater dignity, less bureaucracy, and lower expenses, while strengthening the administrative system, the Ministry said. A clearer structure will be introduced within the Public Registry, separating the Sections of Insinuations and Research from Civil Status Acts, each led by a dedicated Director to ensure uniformity and stronger strategic direction.

New legal mechanisms will allow biological parents to directly register a child in cases where the mother is still legally married to another man, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and costs for affected families. Moreover, the government will remove the five-year time limit for married couples (pre-2021) to change their surname, allowing more flexibility without time restrictions.

Amendments will ensure that, in sensitive cases, the cause of death will not be publicly visible on death certificates, while still being officially recorded. The reforms address inconsistencies in adoption records to ensure proper recognition of biological parents in cases where they were incorrectly listed as adoptive parents.

Digitalisation measures include the introduction of an electronic system for notaries to submit insinuations and expanded access to electronic research services, with further rollout planned in the coming months.

Property-related registration processes will be simplified, including the removal of double fees so that the public pays a single tariff. Moreover, new legal provisions will standardise the use of Latin and Maltese characters in official acts, with transliterations required for other character sets.

Minister for Internal Affairs Byron Camilleri said that public policy must always aim to improve people’s lives and dignity, even in cases that affect only a small number of individuals but make a significant difference to them.

He emphasised that “sometimes things that may seem small make a big difference”.

Identity Malta CEO Edric Zahra said the amendments clearly show the agency’s direction towards modern, flexible public services that reflect today’s realities. He stated that the changes will lead to simpler processes, lower costs, and more accessible services, with the aim of making people’s lives easier.

The post Government unveils reforms to modernise Public Registry first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has issued a Dear CEO Letter presenting the results of its first year of the Outcomes‑based Supervision (OBS) thematic review on corporate Tied Insurance Intermediaries (TIIs). The review forms part of the authority’s 2025 Supervisory Priorities and aims to ensure that TIIs maintain high standards of conduct, transparency, and consumer protection.

The MFSA assessed 31 corporate TIIs authorised to distribute long‑term (life) insurance products, examining their sales processes, disclosures, governance, remuneration structures, client interactions, and oversight arrangements. The review also evaluated the responsibilities of insurance undertakings appointing TIIs.

Key findings from the MFSA’s review

• Sales processes: Most TIIs adhered to requirements such as conducting demands and needs assessments and providing relevant disclosures. However, some gaps were identified, including limited awareness of certain disclosure obligations, and insufficient record‑keeping of client meeting notes.
• Remuneration: While most TIIs are remunerated solely through commissions, a minority charged additional client fees without always having the documented procedures required to justify and classify these fees. The MFSA emphasised the need for transparency and monitoring of remuneration structures to avoid conflicts of interest or mis‑selling practices.
• Client contact and cross‑selling: 26% of TIIs conducted cold calls, and 23% carried out home visits. The MFSA reiterated that TIIs shall not exert undue pressure or influence on clients, and must ensure compliance with Conduct of Business Rulebook requirements. The review also highlighted concerns around pension product switching encouraged through cold calling.
• Advisory vs non‑advisory sales: While TIIs authorised to provide investment advice were able to evidence suitability testing requirements, some non‑advisory TIIs lacked adequate evidence of appropriateness testing or displayed uncertainty about what constitutes regulated advice.
• Sustainability preferences: Most TIIs regulated to sell on advice demonstrated a sound understanding of assessing sustainability preferences, while ensuring that instances where clients decided to amend their sustainability preferences were clearly documented.
• Complaints handling: 71% of TIIs clearly explained the required procedures, though several were not sufficiently familiar with the role of the arbiter for Financial Services.

Next steps

The MFSA expects all TIIs reviewed to address identified gaps during 2026, with a follow‑up assessment planned for 2027. Insurance principals are reminded of their responsibility to ensure strong oversight, regular monitoring of intermediaries, and appropriate training for staff and TIIs. The Dear CEO Letter serves as guidance for the entire market, including TIIs not directly assessed in 2025.

The post MFSA highlights key findings from Outcomes-based Supervision Review of corporate TIIs first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The total amount paid in contributory and non-contributory benefits was double the level recorded in 2013. Spending on contributory benefits rose by €106.3 million over the previous year to exceed €1.25 billion, while non-contributory benefits increased by more than €36 million to €362.5 million.

The number of contributory pensioners has now surpassed 100,000. When including those receiving the non-contributory old age pension, the total number of pension recipients in 2025 stood at around 106,800. Their combined income from pensions and pension bonuses increased by €103 million to €1.25 billion. This rise was largely driven by a €416 annual increase in all pensions, along with further pension improvements.

Additional increases were introduced for widowed pensioners, with reforms set to ensure that from next year they receive the same pension rate their deceased spouse would have received. Other pensioners born before 1962 also benefited from adjustments aimed at reducing disparities in maximum pensionable income, while changes to the cost-of-living bonus will result in a uniform bonus for all pensioners from next year, removing another anomaly created in 2008.

Around 13,800 people, mostly women, who are not eligible for a pension because they lack sufficient contributions, also saw increases in their annual bonus payments, with total payments reaching €10.5 million.

Families with children also benefited, with spending in this area rising by around €18 million to nearly €113 million. This was driven mainly by higher children’s allowances, increased support for children with disabilities and improvements to the In-work Benefit.

The additional COLA benefit for low- and middle-income households rose by €9.2 million to almost €52 million, benefiting 107,770 individuals or families.

Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said the figures reflect stronger social investment made possible by economic growth, adding that the government remains focused on supporting pensioners, families and vulnerable people while addressing future challenges.

The post Social benefits and pensions hit record €1.62bn in 2025, minister says first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The milestone of more than four million tourists in 2025 is, on paper, a success story. Yet beneath the surface lies a more troubling trend. Tourists are staying for shorter periods, and when adjusted for inflation, average spending per visitor has declined significantly over the past decade. This is not a sign of a sector moving upmarket. It is a warning that Malta risks locking itself into a high-volume, lower-yield model that places growing strain on infrastructure, public services and residents, while delivering diminishing returns.

For a small island state with limited space and finite resources, that is not a sustainable formula.

The Malta Chamber’s Rediscover to Align strategy deserves serious attention because it reframes the debate in the right terms. Tourism should no longer be measured primarily by arrivals, but by the economic value each visitor generates and by the quality of the experience offered. In business terms, Malta must improve yield, not simply throughput.

That means the product itself must improve. Tourists will pay more only if they perceive greater value. Cleanliness, maintenance, transport efficiency, public order, well-kept streetscapes and authentic cultural experiences are not cosmetic issues; they are core components of the tourism product. If Malta charges premium prices while delivering substandard infrastructure or deteriorating public spaces, it will quickly lose credibility as a destination.

This is why the Chamber’s insistence that “if it works for residents, it will work for tourists” is more than a slogan. It is sound commercial logic. Residents’ quality of life, urban aesthetics and local character are not external to the tourism economy; they are part of its value proposition. If communities are overburdened and localities are allowed to decline, the visitor experience inevitably declines with them.

Equally important is the Chamber’s warning against treating tourism as a silo. Tourism policy cannot sit solely within the remit of the Malta Tourism Authority or the tourism ministry. It is shaped every day by decisions in planning, transport, environment, heritage, local government, policing and enforcement. If these sectors remain fragmented, Malta will continue to undermine its own competitiveness.

This is where government must act decisively. The Chamber has presented a detailed strategy. Its proposals on aesthetics, local council involvement, infrastructure renewal, smarter management of visitor flows and stronger cross-ministerial coordination should be treated as an economic priority.

Malta is at a crossroads. It can continue to chase ever higher arrival figures while the real value of tourism erodes, or it can build a smarter model based on quality, resilience and premium positioning. For business, the answer should be obvious: long-term profitability lies not in doing more, but in doing better.

The post Editorial: Malta must stop chasing tourist numbers and start building value first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“These are truly testing times. Political debates are heating up as parties prepare for a general election, while international developments, especially the conflict in the Middle East, are creating chaos for businesses with a combination of demand and supply-side pressures,” he begins.

Despite these challenges, Refalo points out that Malta’s economy continues to grow. “Growth is encouraging but it also brings pressures, especially on human resources,” he says. “Companies struggle to fill vacancies and competition for talent is intense. More often than not, private firms must rely on foreign workers to keep operations running.”

This, he says, ties directly into the electoral cycle.

“Malta’s competitiveness must be preserved. Political promises must be realistic and affordable. Populist pledges, like offering every type of leave imaginable, might appeal to voters but threaten long-term economic stability and put further pressure on the already increasing national debt. Policy should be evidence-based and sustainable.”

The key word for Refalo is certainty.

“While we have no control on most of the developments taking place around us, we must not fuel further uncertainty ourselves. We cannot afford surprises. Our businesses, workers and economy deserve policies grounded in reality and focused on sustainable long-term growth,” he adds.

He singles out the public sector as a particular concern. “Unfortunately, we continue to see skilled employees attracted away from the private sector for government roles where their abilities are often underused. Not to mention social media adverts that promote public sector jobs under the premise of possibly working less. This practice destabilises businesses and disrupts the labour market.

Refalo frames these concerns within a broader vision.

“We strongly support initiatives such as Malta Vision 2050, which push for sustainable, inclusive and productive growth. Every decision carries an opportunity cost. True leadership requires choosing what serves the nation’s long-term interest. We cannot afford to get it wrong; the future depends on decisions we take today.”

Refalo is particularly concerned about issues related to Malta’s human resources, especially Malta’s labour migration framework. While the policy has been welcomed as a step toward addressing workforce challenges, including skills gaps and the need to attract and retain third country national workers, it still faces practical hurdles, he says.

“We are all for initiatives that help stabilise the labour market and bring in the skills our economy needs,” he explains. “But excessive costs, unclear procedures and under-resourced regulatory bodies are creating unnecessary burdens for both employers and workers. Policies must be workable and enforceable in practice, not just ideal on paper.”

Debates over flexible working arrangements, including the idea of a four‑day week, have also grown. “Flexibility can work,” Refalo says, “but only when it is underpinned by higher productivity, technology, automation and investment in skills. Our researched position shows that most employers do not yet support the idea of a blanket four‑day measure for Malta. Labour shortages, rising costs and operational realities vary across sectors. Work‑life balance is important but solutions must be grounded in the realities of individual firms. At the same time, social dialogue remains non-negotiable. Refalo expressed disappointment at the association’s exclusion from recent government-driven, technical committees related to employment and industrial relations.

“Malta enjoys industrial stability because responsible partners engage in constructive dialogue. Excluding employers from committees discussing employment and industrial relations is unacceptable. Decisions made without our involvement risk imbalance and undermine the process.”

In conclusion, Refalo delivers a clear message: Safeguarding Malta’s economic future requires collaboration, foresight and a refusal to compromise on principles for electoral expediency.

“We stand for policies that drive sustainable growth and which are designed to strengthen the country’s competitiveness. We also stand for the acceptance and practice of core values in the advancement of our society,” Refalo continues while stressing “we are steadfast in our belief that ethical principles provide the foundation for economic and social policies that genuinely serve the national interest. In this light, we have recently commented that public officials must lead by example and demonstrate integrity, transparency and full accountability in the conduct of their duties.”

In this context, Refalo frames the association’s mission as more than advocacy, but one which serves a wider economic cause.

“Our role is to ensure that the voices of employers are heard, that labour policies work in practice, and that long-term growth is underpinned by integrity and ethical employment practice. We are committed to being a constructive partner in making those decisions count.”

The post Malta cannot gamble its competitiveness for election pledges – Malta Employers president first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.