Rise in cargo charges 'suspended'

The Valletta Gateway Terminal’s plans to increase cargo handling charges have been suspended, the Malta Chamber of Commerce said. 

“We welcome this decision,” the Chamber said in a statement. “Malta depends directly on a cost effective and competitive communication line with other countries, especially at port level. Any changes in costs at this crucial point will affect both importers and manufacturers.”

“Malta must at all costs avoid placing further self-induced obstacles on its competitiveness.”

The decision to suspend this planned increase in cargo handling charges came at a meeting organized by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. The meeting was specifically called to discuss the Malta Chamber’s economic vision for Malta between 2014 and 2020.

During the meeting, Chamber president David Curmi presented a document that stressed the importance of strengthening a number of economic sectors that offer potential for growth.

“We need a focused economy and Malta’s size and limitations mean that we cannot be everything for everyone,” Curmi said. He warned against “an over-dependance on one economic sector such as the financial sector”, describing it as volatile.

The Chamber’s proposals included a controversial recommendation against 'unnecessary' increases to the minimum wage.