The Malta Maritime Forum, together with the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry organised a consultative meeting on the Grand Harbour Regeneration Plan Project, conducted by the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects together with the concerned public authorities. 

Members and other interested stakeholders were invited for the meeting. 

Representatives from the said ministry and from Transport Malta, Infrastructure Malta and the Customs Authority were also invited to attend. 

The session was opened by the president of the Chamber of Commerce, David Xuereb. 

He was pleased to see such a healthy attendance and expressed his full support for the local maritime Industry. 

Godwin Xerri, board member of the forum, then gave a concise but highly informative presentation on the current condition of the Grand Harbour, conveying statistics, local plans and the various different operations that are currently being undertaken. 

Michael Callus, CEO of the forum, acted as a moderator during the open discussion that followed. 

He noted that the scope of this meeting was to have all persons with a business interest in the Grand Harbour openly expressing their views on the Grand Harbour Regeneration Plan. 

The stakeholders raised a number of matters that they hoped to see included within the regeneration plan, including the need for an increase in the storage capacity in the port area, a holistic plan incorporating the port hinterland, and the enactment of the Free Zones Act.

Upon the conclusion of the discussions, Transport Malta chairman Joseph Bugeja offered to make a few comments on the points raised by the floor. 

He provided an insight into the government’s intention to work out a way forward for the long term by addressing all the issues that port operators are currently facing. 

He explained that Transport Malta is acting as a regulator, while Infrastructure Malta has been tasked with the marine infrastructural works. He also remarked that the issues faced are not limited to the Grand Harbour but extend beyond its area. 

Joe Borg, Malta Maritime Forum chairman, closed the meeting with a brief summary of the issues that were raised during the session. 

Borg informed those present that the MMF will be compiling a list of proposals to be submitted to the relevant authorities. He made a call for all those interested to submit their positions to the forum. 

He concluded by thanking the authorities and stakeholders for their participation and was glad to see all sides of the industry working together.

The MMF’s contribution to the discussion on the Grand Harbour Regeneration Plan was met with appreciation from all those concerned.  

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