Companies that donate more than €2,000 to the Malta Community Chest Fund will save tax on half of the amount donated, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna announced yesterday.

The firms will be able to claim it as a tax-deductible expense, in a measure to be included in next year’s budget.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca welcomed the initiative, saying the MCCF needed support in its assistance to people requiring cancer treatment in the light of the rising incidence.

PN spokeswoman Claudette Buttigieg also welcomed the move but said all non-governmental organisations and institutions that depended on benefactors should benefit.

The same argument was made by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector: “Would it not be far fairer that all donations to all voluntary organisations become tax deductible like in other countries?

“Would it not give further peace of mind if the fiscal benefit was for the donations given to voluntary organisations enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations, to ensure transparency,” it asked.