(Adds government's reaction)

Businesses in Valletta are losing money because of the deteriorating state of the city, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU said in a statement.

It called for immediate action so that practical solutions would be found. It said that in spite of the government’s major investment in paving, pedestrianisation and restoration of historic buildings, the situation was going from bad to worse.

A plan should be drawn up to ensure that the affected areas did not continue to deteriorate, it said, adding that the problem was aggravated with lack of planning.

The GRTU said it had moved several proposals as to how the situation could be resolved but these were ignored by the authorities.

REACTION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESOURCES MINISTRIES

The ministries said thatthe projects being undertaken in Valletta created more trade for the benefit of residents and visitors.

Most of the works that had been going on were completed and had been undertaken in consultation with shop owners and the GRTU.

It government said it was always willing to consult so that the aims of projects would be reached with the least possible inconvenience.