Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry vice-president Stefano Mallia has been elected to the board of directors of Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which represents over 45 national chambers of commerce throughout Europe and aims to strengthen the voice and position of European chambers as significant and respected influencers of EU affairs on all major economic issues.

Commenting on his two-year appointment, Mr Mallia said it was important that Malta actively participates in such fora. “As representatives of the private sector, it is vital that we also take up the interests of our members at a European level.

Eurochambres is very active at this level and regularly influences key decisions taken by the European Commission and the European Council. We need to be there to participate in this process.” As a member of the board of directors, Mr Mallia will be participating in the general affairs of the organisation but he confirmed that he will be taking an active interest in the working groups concerned with issues such as the competitiveness of SMEs and the development of maritime policy.

At the same Plenary Assembly, Turin Chamber of Commerce president Alessandro Barberis was unanimously elected as the new president of Eurochambres from 1 January 2010. He succeeds Pierre Simon who has held the presidency since 2006 and who was in turn elected honorary president.

Outlining his priorities in his investiture speech, Mr Barberis said: “We need Europe to face one of the most serious economic crisis in our history. The next few months will be crucial; immediate answers must be given on the political front without forgetting the long term goals, such as responding to increasing unemployment, defending the single market against protectionist tendencies and giving adequate support to the agreement on climate change in Copenhagen.”