Helga Ellul, president of the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, has called on the government to speed up a number of projects financed through EU funds as a way of boosting the economy.
In her first interview since being elected president of the newly-merged organisation, Mrs Ellul told The Times Business: "We have secured very generous EU funding. We know that the major projects have been outlined such as the funding for the new MCAST campus and the upgrading of the Hal Far Estate. These projects need to be implemented quickly. Not too many studies, let's just get on with the job."
Mrs Ellul said that last November's budget was overshadowed by the new energy tariffs and that, at the time, nobody realised just how critical the international economic situation was going to be. The budget, she said, was therefore unable to address the impact of global economic recession.
She added, however: "I think the budget tried to do a lot of things - but a lot of small things. It did not give a major stimulus to the economy."
Mrs Ellul said she hoped the government would change its mind over the new utility rates, calling these revisions "ill-timed and badly carried out". She said that through negotiations, a way out was possible and cited as an example how industry had coped with the removal of levies which was done over a period of time.
"What upset us a lot was that these tariffs were introduced on their own. You cannot have that - what is needed is a proper energy policy and strategy, energy security and sustainable energy, including alternative energy," she said.
She stated that there was no confidence in the economy at the moment "and what we need to do is start to build confidence in investors and consumers".
Asked about a possible merger with other private sector organisations such as the GRTU and the Malta Employers Association Mrs Ellul said: "Nothing is impossible".
In her first interview since being elected president of the newly-merged organisation, Mrs Ellul told The Times Business: "We have secured very generous EU funding. We know that the major projects have been outlined such as the funding for the new MCAST campus and the upgrading of the Hal Far Estate. These projects need to be implemented quickly. Not too many studies, let's just get on with the job."
Mrs Ellul said that last November's budget was overshadowed by the new energy tariffs and that, at the time, nobody realised just how critical the international economic situation was going to be. The budget, she said, was therefore unable to address the impact of global economic recession.
She added, however: "I think the budget tried to do a lot of things - but a lot of small things. It did not give a major stimulus to the economy."
Mrs Ellul said she hoped the government would change its mind over the new utility rates, calling these revisions "ill-timed and badly carried out". She said that through negotiations, a way out was possible and cited as an example how industry had coped with the removal of levies which was done over a period of time.
"What upset us a lot was that these tariffs were introduced on their own. You cannot have that - what is needed is a proper energy policy and strategy, energy security and sustainable energy, including alternative energy," she said.
She stated that there was no confidence in the economy at the moment "and what we need to do is start to build confidence in investors and consumers".
Asked about a possible merger with other private sector organisations such as the GRTU and the Malta Employers Association Mrs Ellul said: "Nothing is impossible".