Design
Unfortunately, perception is some-
thing that can be blown out of pro-
portion. The few who cause damage
tend to taint the reputation of the ma-
jority of those whose work is all above
board. “The few individuals that cause
damage to the industry can be traced
to the same small circle of people who
have been operating in the industry for
decades. These are the ones that ride
on the political bandwagon for their
own personal gain resulting in poli-
tics and policies being compromised.”
Chetcuti is confident that the major-
ity of entrepreneurs are honest busi-
ness people who play by the rules. So
the industry will need to rely heavily
on them to redevelop the confidence
and feel-good factor to regain a good
reputation abroad. Technology, par-
ticularly social media, can be used
to Malta’s benefit, enabling positive
outcomes to quickly translate into
good news.
So what would the recommendation
be for entrepreneurs in 2020?
There should definitely be a slowing
down approach, particularly in the
initial months of the year. It is im-
perative that the industry works to-
gether so that further negativity is not
created. Over-exposed investments
are also to be avoided; such a situa-
tion would prolong recovery. So the
best strategy, in Chetcuti’s opinion
would be to consolidate operations
and work towards bringing back that
feel-good factor that was felt in the
earlier months of 2019.
“Where there is good, positive energy
then we must build on it, where things
are not doing well then we must not
be afraid to speak up and make peo-
ple aware. The Malta Developers’ As-
sociation has always stressed the im-
portance of achieving the common
good, where benefits are reaped by all
and not just a few favoured individu-
als. This must not happen again”
Chetcuti feels strongly about the
impact that such individuals have
left the industry with. Repetitive-
ly, these people have benefited
from aggressive incentives that were
deemed to be developed for them.
These actions have of course caused
upset, disbelief and negativity amongst
those people who, though not falling
within the poverty line, were not liv-
ing comfortably, required help to
obtain social housing and ended up
not yet getting that assistance.
2020 will
bring a new
administra-
tion, a new
prime minister.
These changes
will bring with
them oppor-
tunities to do
things better
Technology, particularly social media, can be used to Malta’s
benefit enabling positive outcomes to quickly translate into
good news.
2020 has brought in new adminis-
tration, and a new prime minister.
These changes will bring with them
opportunities to do things better.
28
ISSUE 10
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