MDA says environment is important for the economy

The Malta Development Association President Sandro Chetcuti said that a healthy environment is important to allow the economy to improve and grow.

Speaking during the MDA’s first official meeting with the chairman of the environment parliamentary committee Franco Mercieca, Chetcuti said that it was only in preserving the environment that association’s investments could benefit those who spent hundreds of thousands of euros either for their first home or to the foreigners seeking to establish their home in our country.

“When there is no proper planning, leading to over-supply and haphazard development in a locality, this causes irreparable damage to us investors and those we represent,” he said.

He pointed out that although the MDA is not a green NGO, it has an interest in the environment just as well.

“We very much wish that you will consult us and that we will be given an equal voice to all those environmental NGOs so that this committee can weigh everything in a serene way when decisions are being taken.”

Mercieca said that his topmost priority was to protect the environment without hindering progress.

“The private sector must be motivated to enable the economy to move forward,” he said quoting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

“The economic growth figures of 6.3% are the fruit of government’s pro-business attitude, and it is important that the progress and wealth generated should continue to be perpetuated,” he said.

Chetcuti also pointed out that the environment ought to be safeguarded as much as possible, because Malta is a small country, the second most densely populated in Europe.

“It is important that we act sensibly and cautiously with everyone’s consent. Our children and those children who are yet to be born will in future judge us so we have the responsibility to protect this sector.”

He further appealed for a level playing field to ensure that everyone follows the necessary laws.

“Just because the government is pro business, it does not mean that we can do whatever we want,” he said.

“All we ask from any government, is to be allowed to work and to not have unnecessary obstacles created, or have goalposts moved during the game.”

“Tell us the rules and parameters and we will obey the law. Whoever breaks the law or is allowed to break the law will be causing damage to all our members and we oppose this,” Chetcuti said.