Change in approach to development & construction cannot be further delayed – The Malta Chamber

The Maltese economy is highly diversified with many industries contributing positively and having sustainable growth potential, including construction if we focus on quality, said The Malta Chamber on Sunday (yesterday).

The leading business-interest group re-iterated its stand that development and the construction industry must improve and evolve with full respect to Malta and Gozo’s heritage, history, culture, natural environment and well-being.

“The country urgently needs a holistic Master Plan and revised local plans supported with clear policies which do not leave room for abusive exploitation in their interpretation and application”, it cautioned.

“The ad hoc planning approach adopted over the years has uglified Malta, created uncertainty, excessive speculation and a non-level playing field between industry players as well as the general public”, The Malta Chamber added.

Its comments come in the wake of a statement published by the Malta Development Authority after Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said Malta’s economy must shift away from dependence on construction in favour of seeking alternatives.

The MDA warned against making an enemy out of the construction and development sector, and that the solution lies in introducing more environmentally-friendly laws and policies.

On its part, The Malta Chamber also warned that the current “piecemeal approach to planning goes against the very spirit of planning itself”. 

“Development brief changes, Partial Reviews and incongruent policy interpretation and application must stop.  Instead, effort must be placed on developing the much-needed holistic master plan based on a well-studied carrying capacity exercise.”

Finally, it said that Malta’s success requires development to become sustainable, greener, cleaner and pleasant to the eye “with full respect to saving our identity and to well-being”.

“We need to move towards more regeneration, more restoration, applying different work methods, using new products and upskilling.  This new way of doing development and construction will not only safeguard the employment and jobs of the current workforce but will also create endless new job opportunities.”