On statesmanship

I would like to devote my final contribution to the national press as president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise to a heartfelt appeal to the political class and the social partners.

Today I terminate my office at the helm of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise. I have carried this honour with great pride and responsibility since my first election in January 2002. On that occasion, I outlined a few objectives to guide me and the chamber's council throughout my presidential term.

I stated that we would ensure that Malta became a member of the European Union while securing the conditions that it rightfully deserved. I promised to seek closer cooperation between all the social partners involved in the MCESD process, in particular the employer bodies. I also set out to encourage all members to actively participate in all chamber business and social activities as well as to embrace more members within the institution. Finally, I also stated that the chamber would also endeavour towards more cooperation between the political parties especially in those areas where divergence is uncalled for.

Modestly speaking, it can be safely said that, with the help of my fellow officers and council members, we have succeeded in attaining all our goals for these past two years. One objective where the chamber and the rest of the country expected more concrete results was in the area of political division although, admittedly, some improvement has been noted.

As an apolitical institution that is mainly interested in seeking the common good and better conditions in which its members can operate their business, the chamber acknowledges that within the country's democratic framework there must be a difference of ideas between the party in government and that in opposition. Nevertheless, it fails to understand how every national issue tends to become heavily polarised and subject to political division to the great detriment of the country.

Last year, I criticised our political leaders during the chamber's annual conference and again during the annual general meeting for persisting with political divide and - in the process - hampering our country's chances for economic progress.

This problem continues to be unacceptable to us in the commercial community especially when it affects issues that are business-sensitive. It is most frustrating to consider that our leaders are unable to agree on the most basic issue - that is, on how our taxes are to be collected.

Had we the maturity and political harmony required, our country would function much more efficiently in those complementary aspects to business, be it economic, social, environmental and political. It is absolutely incredible how a political party can alter its beliefs about what is beneficial to the country according to whether it is in power or in opposition.

To take an example, it is worth considering how, while in government, one party declares that efficiency in tax collection must be improved and then it changes tune as soon as it finds itself in opposition.

Until recently, our major political parties could not strike consensus on a basic piece of fiscal legislation in the country. When agreement was eventually reached prior to the last general election, our chamber was among the first organisations to applaud the move which was perceived to be a significant contribution to the national interest.

Our commercial community and the country in general definitely deserves better. It merits an environment characterised by stability and a much reduced dose of uncertainty, risk and bureaucracy wherein it can proceed in its commercial and investment projects with only normal business risk to concern itself about rather than also having to deal with the perils associated with the country's political situation. The investor cannot continue to suffer unjustly with every change in government where, whether we like it or not, we have become accustomed to complete transformations to the country's political direction.

We must reflect, mature and learn from mistakes made by other people and, why not, from our shortcomings too. In the past, Malta has benefited to a much greater extent when we managed to strike political consensus. This occurred in the cases of business-related legislation such as that relevant to financial services, tourism, the Business Promotion Act (BPA) and the Trading Licences Act.

This cooperative spirit must prevail within the Maltese parliament because only in this manner would our leaders be truly attending to the needs and interests of the nation particularly within the ambit of investment and the creation of employment opportunities, wealth and prosperity that our country so deserves.

In my opinion, dialogue and cooperation between the political forces is in the national interest. This is the only way forward to fulfil everyone's desire to rescue the country from economic stagnation.

The country has overcome a matter that looked insurmountable and split the population for the good part of a decade as it argued infinitely over EU membership. Thankfully, this matter has been resolved and no longer divides us. The country may now proceed in the direction given by the electorate. The chamber commends the national spirit with which all political parties are now tackling the issue with a determination to make the best out of Malta's truly momentous step.

The local business community takes encouragement from this recent episode in Malta's history and appeals to our political leaders to show true qualities of a statesman. The country continues to face other challenges that appear rather overwhelming. Indeed, these would be far easier to tackle if the country had political leaders that truly seek to serve the nation before their partisan end.

I would not like to be misinterpreted on this. I do not mean that the opposition must always agree on the policy put forward by the government of the day. This would defeat the whole scope of democracy in the country.

Nevertheless, I strongly believe that, to enhance its credibility, the opposition should seize each opportunity that may arise to lend a helping hand to the government of the day to contribute towards resolving a situation.

In the face of the real challenges and difficulties it faces, Malta cannot continue to shoot itself in the foot. In the interest of all Maltese - present and future - our political leaders are well aware of the country's task ahead and must not allow locally-induced factors to prejudice Malta's prospects for success and prosperity.

As the senior private sector institution, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise has done its part to revise its statute significantly thereby paving the way for unity among the private sector constituted bodies, at the first instance, and the trade unions eventually. If we are after recovery, success in the European Union and the national interest, we must all pull the same side of the rope!