Chamber calls for more consultation over rent reform

The Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise is insisting the government should further consult on the rent reform Bill because it failed to set a concrete way forward, possibly leading to confusion.

Chamber president Tancred Tabone said the Bill opened a number of loopholes and several of its sections were open to interpretation, which could lead to ambiguities and required clarification.

Mr Tabone also said it was unfortunate to see parts of previous legislation were not being removed and that there were references to the former laws.

The chamber was also disappointed that most of its suggestions had been left out, and Mr Tabone reiterated that the state should remain the only carrier of the country's social burdens.

A long time in coming, and after a period of consultation, the Bill to reform the rent laws is scheduled to start being debated in Parliament today. Rent reform was one of the issues highlighted by Mr Tabone during the chamber's 160th annual general meeting last night. He said the local business community was renowned for its resilience and in the face of the global financial storm it could pull up its socks and find opportunities in the turmoil.

The key was to avoid the present fluctuations in the stock market indices being translated into a negative gross domestic product growth.

"This objective is achievable if the necessary action is taken to preserve confidence and trust," he said.

Mr Tabone said Malta could take courage from the fact that it had adopted the strong common European currency at the right time.

He also praised the government and the opposition for showing unity, objectivity and sensitivity throughout the crisis and giving consistent messages about the strength of the local financial sector.

On the utility tariffs, the chamber said that through its meetings with the Prime Minister, it managed to get "as much cushioning as possible" for industry and the business community, especially in light of the government's financial constraints and obligations to remove subsidies almost completely.

The chamber's appeal now was to encourage energy conservation in every way possible. It will be launching an EU-funded project via Eurochambres to enable energy audits to be carried out and mentoring for business aimed at eliminating wastage and enhancing energy efficient processes.

During his speech Mr Tabone announced that the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) had been sold to one of the shareholders Sign-It Ltd, for €1.16 million. Sign-It therefore bought out Fair & Exhibitions Ltd, the company created by the Trade Fairs Corporation of which the chamber was a part.

On the need to ensure trade is fair, the chamber reiterated its appeal to urgently coordinate resources to step up market surveillance and eradicate abuse.

"It is unacceptable that so-called traders are allowed to by-pass regulations and compete with law abiding traders with goods that do not conform to administrative procedures, standards and taxes," Mr Tabone said.

"We expect market surveillance to clamp down on the abusers not to offer additional inconvenience to the law abiding trader. Our stand is not for protection against competition from abroad. We can fight competition as long as it is legitimate."

Through a number of projects the chamber was hoping to be in a position to assist local entrepreneurs to venture further by applying their successful business models abroad. The chamber hoped to assist by sharing contacts with potential partners abroad, mentoring, the provision of technical information and professional market research.