Ministry objects to GRTU statement

The Investments Ministry yesterday said it had been unjust of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU to say that the country would be paying less for its oil had Enemalta acted in a professional manner.

The ministry accused the GRTU of wanting, by this declaration, to put Enemalta's board of directors and the Fuel Procurement Advisory Committee in a bad light. The government fully trusted the members of both bodies and did not doubt their professionalism.

The ministry said the government's measures were intended to make things easier for enterprises, including small ones, but at the same time it wanted to share the burden across all sectors.

The fundamental aspects of the GRTU's recommendations had been taken into consideration but the government recognised that the final decisions did not completely satisfy the chamber's wishes.

The GRTU, the ministry said, was justified in believing that the sector it represented was important and that any increase in expenditure for its members put them at a disadvantage which, if possible, should be avoided.

However, the GRTU's attitude was putting in danger the country's productive industry which the government was doing its utmost to strengthen.