In a recent statement, the Malta Federation of Industry (FOI) and the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise (MCCE) commented that they have closely followed the events leading to the resignation of Dr Gordon Cordina from the post of director-general of the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The two organisations always considered Dr Cordina as a model public officer, who carried out his duties in the most professional manner, and who had the competence and the integrity to hold such an important, delicate position.

Dr Cordina is a respected economist who has given impeccable service to the country's most important institutions, including the University, the Central Bank, and the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.

During the last weeks, Dr Cordina was the target of an orchestrated and personal attack, which constituted a case of character assassination and not a critical analysis of the NSO's functions.

While pledging support to Dr Cordina, the FOI and the MCCE strongly condemned those sections of the media, which were responsible for such an unjustifiable, premeditated campaign.