Malta Chamber of SMEs has issued a statement calling for more political responsibility following recent events surrounding the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

The office has alluded to the instability caused in the business world as a result of the current economic conditions, which will prove detrimental to its members who are already “treading a fine line” caused by reputational damage earlier this year.

“The price of corruption or such serious allegations of corruption is really paid by all the nation. Legitimate businesses and honest individuals, who represent the absolute majority and have worked hard to earn a living will undoubtedly suffer.”

The office ended with a call for “institutions, the government, the opposition, the social partners and each and every one of us” to work together to rebuild our social fabric.

You can read the full statement below:

“The recent events in our country are of great concern to the business community and we all deserve better.”

“The events unfolding in the last few days have been truly distressing. The business community is very concerned that what is happening will cause significant instability in the business world within the current economic conditions.”

“We are a nation of hard-working, enterprising people. We are proud of our reputation which has taken many years to build. It is, however very fragile and being heavily challenged.”

“Earlier this year we had clearly warned that our members were feeling the pressure coming from reputational damage suffered by Malta. At that point, we were already treading a fine line. Recent events will undoubtedly exasperate the situation. The way we are viewed internationally and by our business colleagues abroad does not do justice to the Maltese people and Maltese businesses.”

“The price of corruption or such serious allegations of corruption is really paid by all the nation. Legitimate businesses and honest individuals, who represent the absolute majority and have worked hard to earn a living will undoubtedly suffer.”

“The Malta Chamber of SMEs calls for greater political responsibility. We need immediate solutions to the grave problems at hand through the fulfilment of our justice system. Procrastination will only lead to more damage. The longer we take to turn the page, the longer it will take us to get back on our feet.”

“As an official representative of a main strata in society we feel obliged to protect our social and economic segments. We call on our institutions, the government, the opposition, the social partners and each and every one of us to ultimately work together to rebuild our social fabric.”

“We need to bring back to the forefront of our integrity and ability to do business intelligently and honestly.”