The Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea and MMA chairman Dr Marc Bonello have given assurances that once the port reform is completed, “it will not only lead to significant reductions in costs, but it will also raise the efficiency, making the service more competitive”, the Federation of Industry said yesterday.

The FOI, the minister and the MMA chairman met yesterday to discuss the recent changes in the sea port tariffs and discussions on the port reform.

The federation said it had been assured that, as from Monday, business operators would start receiving re-imbursements for any duplicated costs charged as from 1 July.

“There is a good basis for agreement between the MMA and the shipping agents, which will bring about reductions in import and export costs,” the FOI said.