Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the need for accountability and seriousness to go hand in hand in the construction sector.

During the Annual General Meeting of the Malta Developers Association (MDA), Abela spoke about the developments and the strategic changes happening within this industry at a time f economic transition.

Speaking about the future of the construction sector, the Prime Minister gave importance to the seriousness, accountability and respect that he said is to be prioritised. He referenced the recent reform on the licensing of contractors as an example of this, calling it a deliberate change that must be accompanied by these values in workplaces.

Abela also mentioned the importance of what he described as environmental change occurring in this sector and its potential benefits. “This environmental transition can offer a sea of opportunities as much for investors as it can for the country,” the PM stated, mentioning the ideas for new buildings to be carbon-neutral when possible.

In this light, two carbon-neutral government projects were referenced, namely the Floriana Project House and the Nadur Primary School that was inaugurated by the Prime Minister alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the end of September.

The Prime Minister then mentioned the importance of innovation and skills to be emphasised in order to extract the full potential out of employees and their modern machinery.

PM Abela said that our country is now in a luxurious position through which it can look to prioritise quality over quantity and numbers. He stated that the Maltese islands should also focus on retaining the identity of local villages.

“There is a need to further value those elements that are intrinsically Maltese and Gozitan by taking care of our villages,” said Abela. He then elaborated that an eye should be kept looking towards the future, so that future generations may be able to appreciate what we have left behind for them.

He also talked about the Government’s responsibility to continue facilitating these changes to ensure certainty and stability, and that seriousness and accountability should not necessarily lead to bureaucracy.