Central Bank of Malta governor Edward Scicluna has not attended a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development meeting, sending a representative instead.

Scicluna has been under fire ever since he was criminally charged following the conclusion of a magisterial inquiry into the now-rescinded hospitals’ deal. Calls for his resignation have been widespread but Scicluna has stayed on, with the support of Prime Minister Robert Abela. Calls have also been made for him not to attend meetings abroad as CBM governor.

A Central Bank of Malta statement on Wednesday said that at the EBRD meeting held between 14 and 16 May 2024 in Yerevan, Armenia, the Central Bank of Malta Governor and Governor of the EBRD was represented by Mr Matthew Zammit from the International Relations Office of the Central Bank of Malta. The statement did not say why Scicluna missed the meeting.

This key event in the yearly cycle of the institution included the Plenary Session of the Board of Governors (the EBRD’s highest decision-making body), together with several additional events organised under the Business Forum. Among the most important events of the meeting were the election of President Odile Renaud-Basso to a second term and discussions regarding the future direction of the Bank at a time of geopolitical upheaval.

Established in 1991, the EBRD is an institution dedicated to promoting the transition towards a sustainable economy and the emergence of a strong private sector. The EBRD is owned by 73 countries from five continents, as well as the European Union and the European Investment Bank. Malta is a founding member of the EBRD.

With the theme of Delivering Impact Together, the event brought together industry experts, business leaders and EBRD members to share their perspectives. Discussions centred on how to help economies in the EBRD regions thrive by adapting to an ever-changing environment. Specialist panels debated thought-provoking topics on the macroeconomic landscape, improving access to finance, renewable energy, natural resources, sustainable infrastructure, economic inclusion, and digitalisation and technology, amongst others.