Free movement of goods

I refer to Henri Saliba's letter entitled Free Movement of Goods (April 5) in reply to my Talking Point entitled Curbing Abuse in Free Movement of Goods (March 30).

The Chamber is well aware of what the European Union and free movement of goods is all about. The European Union is built upon the principles of free and fair competition while it strongly upholds other standards related to environmental and consumer protection. Membership to the European Union certainly does not translate into a situation of "free for all". The EU has a vast code of rules to ensure that its sacrosanct principles are meticulously followed by all EU citizens. The Chamber will continue to defend its membership from unlawful competition.

I would like to clarify that the Chamber has no grievance whatsoever with Virtù Ferries Ltd. Its concern is with those who abuse the laws of the land, compromising fair competition and consumer safety while endangering the national interest and the jobs of those employed by organised, law-abiding firms.

The Chamber commends Virtù Ferries Ltd for providing efficient sea links between Malta and Sicily for almost two decades. In so doing they have contributed to the well-being of Malta as a nation, particularly in terms of our tourism industry. The Chamber does not doubt that Virtù Ferries Ltd makes its passengers "aware of border formalities" but this does not necessarily mean that its passengers comply. In the interest of free and fair competition, the Chamber is duty-bound to the country and its members to ensure that no "trader" is above the law.

The Chamber has an enviable track record of co-operating with the government of the day and national authorities to ensure a free and fair commercial environment in the interest of the trader and consumer alike. It has collaborated with the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that Malta remained free from cartels and instances whereby companies abused from any dominant positions they may have found themselves in. The Office of Fair Trading, besides competition itself, ensures that there exist no such instances.

In the coming weeks and months, the Chamber shall continue to endeavour to ensure that proper mechanisms are in place to curb any abuse in free movement of goods.