Following a meeting of estate agents from both Malta & Gozo at the GRTU offices for small and medium sized enterprises, the Federation of Estate Agents (FEA) was restructured and now officially replaces the former association of estate agents (AEA).

The FEA now falls under the GRTU and after a general meeting held on 3 November, thanks to the initiative of Steve Sant Fournier and Vince Farrugia from the GRTU, a panel was elected to head the first year of this federation.

The panel is made up of Douglas Salt (president), Michael DeMaria (vice-president), Trafford Busuttil (secretary), Steve Sant Fournier (treasurer), Ian Casolani (public relations), Manjri Borg Bindra (IT), Joseph Sullivan (legal & judicial) and Joe Mercieca (Gozo).

The role of the FEA is to represent the large number of estates agents on the island. Its association with the GRTU is intended to give this federation a stronger presence and a more recognised status. All licenced estates agents were urged to join and a large number of them are already registered members, while many others are still in the process of joining.

The main objectives of the FEA include:

• Ensuring that all business is conducted ethically between the agents and their clients, as well as between the agents themselves.

• Working hand in hand with the government and the various entities related to the real estate industry to ensure that the various policies and laws concerning this industry protect the interests of both the client and the related businesses fairly.

A new web site www.feamalta.org has been designed which includes a background of the Federation, information about its council and members, the aims and objectives of the FEA, and various other general information related

to the property market in Malta.