Malta Developers Association President Sandro Chetcuti says there is “absolutely no conflict of interest” in a €19k government planning consultancy role, which the MDA is aware of.

Information provided to this newspaper by the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry on persons of trust shows that Chetcuti is a Policy Consultant with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Planning and the Property Market. This means that he advises PS Chris Agius.

The MDA boss has a Scale 3 salary of €37,920 (paid pro-rata for 20 hours service per week), which would mean payment of €18,960, together with an expertise allowance of €10,000, a car allowance of €2,320 and mobile and internet allowance of up to €815 per annum.

The ministry also provided a brief description of his day-to-day duties, which are: to attend meetings as required with the PS (or his delegate) in relation to planning and the property market sector; to attend meetings with officials of the office of the PS, any stakeholder, ministry or corporate body; and provide the PS with guidance in relation to the planning and property market sector.

The Malta Independent asked Chetcuti whether his role as president of the developer’s lobby conflicted with his new role as government advisor on planning and the property market, whether the MDA was aware of his role, and how long he has held the role.

Replying, Chetcuti said: “My appointment as an advisor to the ministry regarding the property market was discussed and approved by the council of Malta Developers Association. My experience within the sector can serve as an asset to any decision maker.  In fact, it is not the first time that I was approached by members of the Opposition party to give advice both on the development sector and the property market. 

There is absolutely no conflict of interest as I only give advice on what I think is best for the country. Then it is up to the decision maker to decide and implement decisions after taking note of all advice it is given, including, but not only, mine.”