Developers' association, PN 'agree to improve communications'

For the first time since it was set up, the Malta Developers Association was invited by the leader of the Nationalist Party Simon Busuttil for a meeting to formalise a relationship between the two sides.

Welcoming the MDA committee to the Dar Centrali, PN leader Simon Busuttil said the relationship between MDA and the PN was not always serene.

"We acknowledge the developers' contribution towards the economy, especially towards the creation of jobs, but I also know that the relationship between the MDA and the PN was not always serene. It is my intention to change this, and build a relationship where we can discuss issues and express freely our disagreements," Busuttil said.

The PN leader added that the Opposition had provided constructive criticism to government's initiatives - such as the floor area ratio policy and hotel heights - and gave its support.

"We are against a blank cheque for development due to Malta's limited space. We don't want a property bubble to burst in our faces. A free-for-all attitude would only create environment and economic problems," Busuttil said, adding that balance was pivotal.

On his part, MDA president Sandro Chetcuti said the association strived to represent the interests of the industry, in full support of sustainable development. He said, the MDA was not about political partisanship but about the good of the industry.

Chetcuti said the MDA wanted to build a strong relationship with the PN, agreeing to disagree on certain issues, adding that he also believed the PN should be "pro-business".

"The PN in the late eighties was a catalyist that generated economic growth. It should be pro-business because progress doesn't stop," Chetcuti said, adding that pro-business didn't mean harming the environment.

As is customary, the meeting continued behind closed doors. Present for the meeting were also PN MPs Toni Bezzina, Ryan Callus and Robert Arrigo.