Plenty of consultation on construction, but no ‘noticeable improvement’ – Malta Developers Association

The development and construction sector faces a “bureaucratic maze” as it navigates through consultations with over 21 institutions “without deriving any noticeable improvement in quality or additional benefits,” according to Malta Developers Association president Michael Stivala, adding that this must be addressed if progress is to be achieved.

Apart from tacking bureaucracy, he stressed that the industry also needs more financial support to achieve the sustainable transition that is being placed ever higher on the national agenda.

Addressing the organisation’s annual general meeting last week, Mr Stivala sought to underline the importance of the industry to Malta’s economy.

“The MDA represents a workforce of over 30,000 individuals in direct employment. A slowdown or halt in our sector would profoundly impact the nation’s economy,” he said – a message seemingly directed at the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, both of whom were in attendance and invited to take the stage.

Further elucidating on the economic impact of the construction industry, Mr Stivala noted that it contributes millions to the Maltese economy through taxes and VAT.

“This revenue plays an indispensable role in vital sectors such as education and health, bolstering the well-being of all citizens.”

Emphasising the inevitable correlation between quality and financial investment, he urged for necessary actions to uplift the industry’s standards.

“We can’t achieve superior quality without financial backing. There’s also a pressing need for government incentives promoting energy-efficient buildings. This isn’t merely an industry requirement but an environmental imperative,” he remarked.

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech echoed these sentiments while touching on the responsibility of industry players to raise their standards: “We must establish an ecosystem for the industry to flourish, ensuring that operators not meeting the required standards are duly addressed.”

The AGM’s keynote was delivered by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who recognised the industry’s contribution since 2012 but also highlighted that priorities have evolved.

“Quality must be the linchpin around which the industry revolves,” he said.

Dr Abela also expressed the need for the construction industry to align with Malta’s environmental goals, particularly targeting carbon-neutral buildings.

The AGM also witnessed the announcement of the new MDA council for the coming term:

• President: Michael Stivala
• Vice President: Denise Xuereb
• Secretary General: Paul Attard
• Treasurer: Alfred Camilleri
• Council members: Pierre Galea, Leon Chetcuti, Malcolm Mallia, Anton Camilleri, Pio Vassallo