The president of the newly merged Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, Helga Ellul, has called for an early stimulus package for the private sector.

Ms Ellul said at the first meeting of the Chamber's new council that the private sector was resilient, dynamic and was quick to respond to changing circumstances.

“This gives us an edge over other countries or regions and it could be a key factor in exploiting the present situation to the islands’ benefit.”

She said that business must be confident about the future, and that the Maltese business community had dealt successfully with difficult situations in the past.

“In previous occasions we have came out stronger because we restructured and diversified. This strengthened our economy,” she said.

Ms Ellul said her priorities were curtailing the effects of the international credit crunch on the local economy and ensuring that the government did not contribute to a local credit crunch by paying all its dues to the private sector on time; intensifying efforts to help members to internationalise; as well as pushing for a holistic national energy strategy and its implementation which would comprise of an acceptable solution to the issue of utility tariffs.

She said she would endeavour to make an absolute success out of the merger through effective communication with members, fusing the different cultures together and analysing the needs of members to facilitate the introduction of enhanced, valued-added services.