Furniture levies

There are some clarifications that need to be made with reference to a letter by Joseph Cortis (May 18).

The original article appearing in the April issue of Crossroads, to which Mr Cortis refers, does not pluck figures out of thin air as Mr Cortis seems to suggest. It quotes calculations made in a report, published by IPSE last month, stating that some furniture prices in Italy are up to 40 to 70 per cent cheaper than in Malta. The article is careful to quote its source.

The IPSE report identifies the threats and opportunities facing the local furniture industry in the context of the removal of levies and EU accession. It also makes recommendations to three entities - Maltese entrepreneurs, institutions and the government - in this regard. The answers to the questions Mr Cortis is asking are found in that same report.

The report has long been made public and one would assume that Mr Cortis, who seems involved in the trade, has read and analysed it thoroughly in order to make sure that his business is sufficiently prepared.