President to meet NGOs on tax rebate

President speaks about controversial tax rebate to MCCF. Video: Chris Mangion

In response to complaints from NGOs last week, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca told MaltaToday that she plans to meet with NGOs next week to discuss a possible way forward.

“The work NGOs do is immensely valuable to the country, and in fact I aim to meet the Commissioner for NGOs as soon as next week to discuss ways in which we can organise ourselves better when it comes to the distribution of funds,” Coleiro Preca said.

She was responding to complaints by NGOs who claimed that a newly announced tax rebate for companies who donate to the Malta Community Chest Fund is discriminatory. 

The rebate will apply to private companies who donate €2,000 or over to the Community Chest Fund.

“The rebate and other such initiatives should ideally be extended to other entities, and we’re willing to discuss ways in which we can distribute these incentives in a productive way,” the President added.

Coleiro Preca was speaking at a press conference announcing a fine art auction in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. A record number of 85 pieces of art and ceramics will go under the hammer on 21 November at San Anton Palace in aid of the Chest Fund.

The works, predominantly landscapes and cityscapes by local veteran artists, will be on display for the public at the President’s Palace in Valletta until 21 November.