The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry yesterday led a delegation, composed of key associations in the Financial Services sector, to discuss the pending Moneyval evaluation with Prime Minister Robert Abela.

In the past weeks, The Malta Chamber established a forum with the aim to bring together players in the financial services sector, to present a unified voice, and support the government ahead of the upcoming Moneyval evaluation. The forum is composed of The Malta Chamber’s Financial Services Business Section, Malta Bankers Association, Chamber of Advocates, Malta Institute of Accountants, Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and Malta Institute of Taxation.

During the meeting, the President of the Malta Chamber, David Xuereb who was accompanied by the chairpersons and presidents of the above-mentioned organisations, presented a document, prepared by the same forum entitled ‘Recommendations for the Moneyval Assessment’.

Recommendations included for a clear communication strategy to report on unambiguous progress achieved in updating Malta’s regulatory infrastructure relating to Anti-Money Laundering & Combatting the Financing of Terrorism as well as the Rule of Law.

While acknowledging the various legislative and regulatory work conducted thus far, The Malta Chamber through its Moneyval Forum, also proposed the appointment of one technical, apolitical national spokesperson on Moneyval related matters. The individual who would enjoy widespread respect and credibility would be able to communicate developments and improvements being registered by Government on the subject in a clear albeit technical manner.

“Success cannot be achieved by the Government acting alone or by pointing fingers towards one sector or another” Xuereb told the Prime Minister during the meeting.

“Success can only be achieved by having an effective unified effort. The Forum which represents the financial services industry is offering its full cooperation, with the ultimate aim of making the Moneyval experience an opportunity to seek further success for the country. The Malta Chamber, as Malta’s foremost guardian of the country’s competitiveness has taken it upon itself to lead this concerted effort, and shall endeavour, with all its resources at its disposal, to help obtain a favourable outcome for Malta”.