While governments are expected to provide the ideal environment for commerce and industry to progress, economic operators have a duty to conduct their businesses in an ethical way, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said on Wednesday.

He said that, according to the law, businesses should respect the rights of consumers, workers’ rights and other third-party rights.

“These important precepts should not be looked upon as inhibiting business activities, but as a necessity aimed at consolidating the sound relationship between economic operators and social partners which would secure economic and social order for any economy to move ahead,” he said.

With regard to market access, he underlined the need to carefully study the international situation and offer programmes of collaboration.

“One should not look at other traders as mere competitors but seek and devise win-win opportunities to entice traders become collaborators and partners,” he said.

He was addressing the first-ever Maltese Parliament for Enterprises, which brought together economic operators as well as members of parliament for an informal dialogue on matters pertaining commerce and industry, such as the provision of skilled and trained workers to address the needs of the Maltese economy, competitiveness in the global market, innovation and sustainable development.

The event was organised by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in collaboration with the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, also known as Eurochambres.

Chamber president Frank Farrugia said he hoped the event would enhance dialogue and mutual understanding. 

Frank Farrugia addresses the House.

The meeting was attended by members of parliament, Christoph Leitl, president of Eurochambres, and members of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.

Among those who addressed the meeting were the Leader of the Opposition Adrian Delia and Prime Minster Joseph Muscat.

Mr Leitl urged government and businesses to focus their energies on "intelligent growth, not limits of growth". 

Emphasising a circular economy, he said, was a great opportunity to be creative. 

“What matters is not the size of the country but the ideas coming out of it," he concluded.