Under no circumstances must decisions be taken if these create bottlenecks to growth for business, according to the outgoing Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry president.

In his farewell speech at the chamber’s annual general meeting, David Curmi insisted “long overdue” decisions on improving the business environment must be taken without delay.

Mr Curmi said that decisions had to be taken to address dismal rankings related to the ease of doing business and the introduction of a cost of living adjustment formula that reflected productivity besides inflation.

He said utility tariffs have to be comparable to those of other competing locations and employment and industrial relations laws had to be reviewed to bring them in line with “the realities of today’s labour market”.

But both party leaders ended up competing on bestowing praise on our chamber for our proactive endeavours

Having taken over in March 2013 after the resignation of Tancred Tabone, who was charged with bribery over the Enemalta oil scandal, Mr Curmi yesterday dwelt on the successes achieved over the past two years.

He said the chamber’s professional approach helped consolidate a relationship “based on trust” between the organisation and the authorities.

Referring to a debate between the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition organised by the chamber for its members in November, Mr Curmi said with tongue in cheek the event may have turned out to be a disappointment for those who savoured confrontation.

“The debate had focused on the chamber’s document outlining its economic vision but both party leaders ended up competing on bestowing praise on our chamber for our proactive endeavours, as well as for the content presented in our economic blueprint for the coming six years,” Mr Curmi said.

The widespread consensus on the economic vision was a milestone, he added.

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