On Thursday 12th October, the Malta Developers Association (MDA) held its pivotal Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the year. The meeting, attended by the association’s members, saw prominent figures from the industry, political leaders, and other stakeholders come together to discuss the challenges and future of the construction industry in Malta.
President of the MDA, Michael Stivala, commenced the session by extending his gratitude towards the council members for their unwavering commitment and efforts over the past two years. Highlighting the significance of the industry, Stivala stated, “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.”
Further elucidating on the economic importance, Stivala elaborated that the construction industry 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.
However, Mr. Stivala expressed concerns about the bureaucratic maze the industry currently grapples with. He stressed the need for streamlined processes, saying, “The industry currently has to navigate through consultations with over 21 institutions without deriving any noticeable improvement in quality or additional benefits. We must address this.”
Furthermore, 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,” Stivala remarked.
Echoing these sentiments, Opposition leader Dr Bernard Grech also took the stage. Dr. Grech acknowledged the paramount importance of the industry, underlining the twin pillars of quality and sustainability. He emphasised, “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 Dr. Robert Abela. He recognised the industry’s contribution since 2012 but also highlighted that priorities have evolved. “Quality must be the lynchpin 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 included 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 include: Pierre Galea Dr. Leon Chetcuti Malcolm Mallia Anton Camilleri Pio Vassallo
The AGM concluded on a note of optimism, with stakeholders emphasizing collaboration and forward-thinking to chart the industry’s growth while staying aligned with national priorities.