Editorial
Business forum: Step in the right direction
Labour's decision to set up a business forum marks an interesting turning point in the party's history.
There may have been occasions in the past when, as some have pointed out, the party tried to help out small firms, but, generally speaking, the chasm between Labour and the private sector was wide and relations often bumpy, except with their "friends of friends", to use one of Labour's favourite digs at the Nationalist Administration.
In Dom Mintoff's time, the socialist government sought to expand its role in the economy and the private sector had to struggle to keep its head above water. Ideologies clashed and the people experienced a drop in the quality of life. The private sector faced widespread restrictions, to an extent that its representative bodies had to set up a confederation in a bid to fight off the socialist government's incursion into their territory.
Labour, now under a new leader, is trying hard to change the face of the party, with Joseph Muscat opening the doors to what he is calling as "progressives" or "moderates" in an effort to widen its support base and, therefore, make it possible for his party to end its long period on the opposition benches. But is all this simply a rebranding exercise or a genuine effort to turn Labour into a different party, one that promises to meet the aspirations of all?
Knocking down the barrier that Labour had built with the private sector may not be as easy as Dr Muscat may think. It is all a matter of trust, which is what Dr Muscat is now trying so hard to win, though he is not being all that specific in all that he says in his public speeches. But, in the setting up of the business forum, his party has now at least made a practical move.
According to the information given so far, the forum's core group will have regular meetings with business institutions and hold activities for businessmen, particularly those running small and medium-size firms. Dr Muscat has been reported saying that the forum would not be an exclusive group as he intended breaking down the perception that the PL was antagonistic to employers. It will, of course, take more than the setting up of the forum and his declaration for the perception to be broken down.
The chairman of the forum, Marlene Mizzi, has said that the term ħaddiema (workers) was not restricted to those who were employed but included everyone who performed an activity to earn a living. This is exactly what the private sector had so valiantly preached for so long in Mr Mintoff's time but Labour then looked at businessmen and businesses differently.
She also said they aimed at keeping the party's ears to the ground in matters concerning the business community and at helping the party draw up policies and solve problems, such as how to cut bureaucracy. "This way, we hope everyone will be comfortable, like I am, with Labour being in government, because the policies and structures will be in place and created with the support of those directly involved." Nice words, but, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as the electorate knows only too well.
Even so, the party's move to set up the business forum is a step in the right direction, provided it will keep to its policies if it is elected.
Popular Stories
Labour Party resorts to political...
Why calling an election now makes sense
The only way forward for the government
Stamp out racism or suffer the...
Top businessman touches some raw nerves
If Libya is to accede to Refugee...
Stemming the tide of migrants
Smoke signals of the very worrying kind
Did justice prevail in the Lockerbie...
In Discussion
Stamp out racism or suffer the...
The only way forward for the government
Stemming the tide of migrants
Roadworks, traffic chaos and...
Labour Party resorts to political...
Does it really pay to use public...
Migration challenges must be addressed
If Libya is to accede to Refugee...
This country must remain competitive
10 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
M buttigieg
Feb 18th 2010, 10:29
Whilst i may agree that 'solving problems' requires people with a well seasoned background in business and industry (and in depth knowledge of the particular problem area concerned)at policy level one cannot exclude the need of more scientific and theoretical knowledge.
I hope the forum will truly seek advice of external experts and that the members of this team understand that they are there to facilitate things, rather then to be the experts on everything.
It would be interesting to have some sort of statute available publicly for comments and discussion. This would really be one good step in the direction of open-mindedness and transparency....
One last thing, and this is not intended as an offence, but smart replies and the sort of responses trying pointing at "kemm ma tifhimx / get your facts right and shut up" especially when a "fair comment" is made really do not show any openness to criticism (or openmindedness), confidence and certainly not an exemplary behaviour of any forum.
J.Borg
Feb 18th 2010, 10:07
Keep up the good work you are doing Ms.Mi.Mizzi and colleagues.I just wish that the business community takes hind of this forum and come forward and not just issue banal comments.
Ambrose Laferla
Feb 17th 2010, 22:12
'Both John Cassar White and Joe Vella Bonnici are respected economists '.
Wrong. John Cassar White holds an ACIB and Joe Vella Bonnici holds a Masters in Public Policy. None of them have economics at masters level let alone at PhD level. So how, pray, Mrs Mizzi can you call them economists? The title 'economist' may look attractive and catchy on an election brochure for easy consumption by constituents. But you know better that. We are not the voters you and Mr Vella Bonnici try to woo, so please respect our intelligence.
Ronald Zammit
Feb 17th 2010, 19:57
As usual and as expected, the Editor always tries to impliment and create doubt in any positive decision taken by the PL. The set up of a business forum is a case in point. While praising the PL for such a decision, at the same time he reminds us of the Mintoff''s past attitude and action in this sector. It's so convenient for the Editor to mention the PL past but it's not the same when it comes to the PN and hardly mention anything at all concerning their past especially the sixties! For sure the PN has learned a lot since then BUT so did the PL. The present is what interest us and the future is what we are looking for. GonziPN's present is not so good and the future is not so bright either. The PL is moving in the right direction with all the positive attitude and decisions taken to give this nation what it really needs... a new Labour Government led by Joseph Muscat. With regard to the Business Forum under the capable hands of Marlene Mizzi I am sure this will be an esset to the business comunity and the country in general.
Marlene Mizzi
Feb 17th 2010, 17:07
@JCassar : you are perfectly right .
We are not a team of university lecturers but persons with different backgrounds and experiences in the business world. But as the gentleman who wrote in , attributing to us all the wrong qualifications ,thought that these were crucial to the success fo the Business Forum it was improtant to put him right.
The most important thing for us is to feel the pulse of the business communtiry, appreciate their poblems , try to find solutions, be proactive , and keep in mind all the wellbeing stakeholders. :Looking forward -instead of backwards - will help too!
I thank you for your kind wishes. Succeeding in what will be a very challeenging job - the change in culture - is not going to be easy....but we mean business...and so we are prepared to work hard at this challange. !
J.Cassar
Feb 17th 2010, 16:06
A business forum is not a talking shop for academics...... be they economists or rocket scientists. It is about understanding the dynamics of business...this includes economic factors, financing, competitiveness, marketing, and market psychology ....among other things. What is important is that members of this forum keep an open mind to what is happening around us and do not wear blinkers as some of those commenting here seem to be doing.
I wish every success to this team for the good of the country because, after all, if businesses succeed, everyone benefits.
Marlene Mizzi
Feb 17th 2010, 15:49
@Mr Anthony Gatt- You do not seem very au courant with university degrees and academic qualifications. So,for the record my degree in economics is an Honours degree not a general one- as are those of Mr Cassar White and Mr Vella Bonnici-- ie we are all B.A(Hons.) Econ.
My second degree is an M.Phil (Maastricht ) not an MBA - which I assure you is very different in academic terms. I am currently reading for a Ph.D...that's a doctorate!!
Both John Cassar White and Joe Vella Bonnici are respected economists backed by sound experience in the fileds of banking and industry. Dr Manwel Mallia needs no introduction either: Mr Stephen Muscat is past CEO of a Plc ,and Mr Paul Vella is an experienced and successful business man.
If you wish to find fault with the capabilities of this team, I suggest you steer clear of things you do not understand . We intend utilising our joint expertise - together with that of others- in the interest of the business community.
Just as the editorial correctly said, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. You seem to be trying to choke on what you cannot digest.
Alfred Farrugia
Feb 17th 2010, 15:05
This is a fairly one-sided perception of what went on “for so long in Mr. Mintoff’s time”, although basically correct. What this editorial does not explain is how the business community – or the majority of businessmen in a personal capacity – looked at the Labour Party under Mr. Mintoff. The distrust was from both sides.
One of the problems was, as is often the case in a small island mentality, the differences in personalities and cognitive dissonance. Another problem was a lack of consistency in official policy. At one time, the Foreign Ministry – which I believe was still under Mr. Mintoff – invited the Director of the International Trade Centre (UNCTAD-GATT) from Geneva to promote public-private business relationships and initiatives, and export promotion. Ironically, when the foreign ITC Director met representatives of the organizations representing the business community – Federation and Chamber – the representatives explained the technical difficulties they met, and were politically correct. When the ITC Director met the Minister of Trade of the time, his Secretary delivered a sermon against the private sector. The Minister went even further. The ITC Director wondered why he was officially invited to Malta in the first place!
Anthony Gatt
Feb 17th 2010, 13:31
How strange that the PL did not qppoint one economist on this forum. John Cassar White has an ACIB and a BA, Joe Vella Bonnici has a BA general in economics and Maltese (I hope they do not consider this to make one an economist) and an MA in Public Policy; Marlene Mizzi has also a BA general in economics and an MBA and Manuel Mallia is a lawyer. True this is a business forum but business is very important for the economy and the expertise of an economist would have come in useful.
P. Schembri
Feb 17th 2010, 11:11
The editor just couldn't help himself having a dig at the PL's expense! How unbiased!!!! Why not tell us about the PN's side. How the business community was taken for a ride, especially with the w&e tariff's hike. The editor can have a dig at the PN's policies of promise and then we'll see what we can do, as happened prior to the 2008 election! Come on Mr. Editor, take a life!