Business leader calls for sole enterprise minister

The business community would like to see one minister responsible for enterprise, the Prime Minister was told during a courtesy visit by the new management team of the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

Chamber president Helga Ellul said that, at times, businesses got the impression that the government did not know where it wanted to go because they had to deal with different ministers on different issues.

She said they preferred a situation whereby they could deal with one minister responsible for business and enterprise.

Journalists were only allowed in for the first five minutes of the meeting, held at Castille.

When contacted later, a spokesman for the Chamber would not say what was discussed behind closed doors, insisting that the visit was a courtesy one.

Ms Ellul said some of the broader economic issues that needed to be tackled were being discussed at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development but insisted that there were other topics of concern that required government action.

She said that despite the fact that discussions had been held with the government on eco contribution refunds, businesses were still waiting for them.

Dr Gonzi said that a legal notice on the matter was expected to be published in the coming days.

He said the new set-up that saw the Chamber and the Federation of Industry join forces came at the right time when the international recession had started to bite.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com