President of Malta George Vella said that through its detailed studies, consultations and strong statements, the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry is like a mirror that reflects the good, and less good, developments happening in Maltese society.
Addressing an event on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce, President Vella expressed his appreciation for the Chamber’s work so that Malta not only strengthens its economy and trade but contributes to improving the quality of life with a constructive role in the design of national policies that go beyond the commercial fields.
President Vella said that he believes that the Chamber of Commerce is playing an important role so that the commercial sector can work with other fields for the collective betterment of lives.
“I must mention as an example the importance of themes such as the environment, education, the strengthening of society, multiculturalism, the rule of law and foreign policy when discussing the growth of the economy and the commercial profile of the country,” said the President.
Speaking about the labour market, the President said that he agrees with the recommendations made by the Chamber of Commerce to continue changing the mentality that education is not only academic but that for positive and long-term results, it must also include community values, technology appreciation, critical thinking, media literacy and cultural inclusion.
President Vella referred to the working conditions of foreign workers and stressed that “since the country needed them, it has the duty to protect their interests and dignity.” He appealed to the authorities and the members of the Chamber of Commerce to do their best in designing policies and for more enforcement.
On the environment, the President said that he appreciates that the Chamber recognises the need to increasingly acknowledge the environment when addressing the quality of life and for its members to give more importance to sustainability and not just profits.
In the context of the historical role that the Chamber of Commerce has played during these 175 years, President Vella said that the organisation has always moved with the contemporary developments of the time including as a strategic catalyst for British trade in the Mediterranean and kept moving with the changes that Malta underwent.
While thanking Ms Marisa Xuereb, President of the Chamber of Commerce, for her excellent leadership which continued to strengthen the respect enjoyed by the Chamber, President George Vella encouraged the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry so that in the coming years it continues to maintain the sense of independence in its criticism based on facts and not speculation.
