AS NECC chairman, I reply to comments carried on your front page:- Retailers’ fear they will be blamed for Euro inflation rise, TMIS 7 August.

Retailers are being given enough opportunities to be represented on the NECC, as well as to contribute positively to euro conversion issues. It is a pity that no one from GRTU turned up on 8 July, when a number of constituted bodies representing the private sector were called for a meeting to have explained to them how NECC and its sub-committees will function. The private sector sub-committee, which includes retailers, traders, industrialists, hoteliers and restaurant owners as well as the institutes of accountancy and taxation, were given the opportunity to organise themselves and appoint the sub-committee’s chairman to represent them on the main committee of NECC. Much to our regret this has not been done, and it is still the only representative sub committee that has not done so. The consumer and general public sub-committee, consisting of consumer groups, unions, women , youth and pensioners associations, the Commission for Disabled and other vulnerable groups appointed their representative within 24 hours. The sub-committees which are expected to be the major contributors to the setting up of a concern list and be the major interlocutors to their targeted groups, are considered to be the most important structure in the Euro changeover process. The sub-committee’s chairman will represent the interests of the group on the main committee. NECC is already in its second preparatory meeting and so far the private sector’s seat remains vacant. Our first draft action plan for the changeover will be published this autumn.

Indeed, it is very true that pricing issues are critical when considering currency conversion. NECC will be giving special consideration to issues of inflation and perception pricing. There are so many other issues that concern the private sector, including IT, cash machines and equipment, legal and educational issues.

NECC is composed of representatives from the private sector, consumers and the general public, the financial sector, education, public service and public sector, and the legal sector. However, specialised task forces are being set up in the areas of IT, training (public and private sector) and, of course, pricing. Opportunities for representation in these task forces are being now open to the relevant interest groups.

Joseph FX Zahra

National Euro Changeover Committee chairman