Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1000343
P5 PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 JULY 2018 What have you achieved since MDA was launched? Though I was probably too op- timistic and immature, I man- aged to make a dream come true. I guess I managed to build a lobby group and I did this by being lucky enough to be in the pres- ence of professional and experi- enced people. I also think that I also learnt a lot from my mistakes and I was willing to take advice. How would you list the achievements of the MDA? I believe that the first achieve- ment is to bring the players in the industry together and, secondly, another plus was the fact that the government has turned out to be very sensitive to the industry. Much of the growth has been linked to change in policies and one of the major policies that was height limitations. This was a game changer, was it not? No, the game changer was the Planning Authority that turned out to be more efficient. Today within some months, one knows where one stands. Certainty mo- tivates you to build success. There have been many controversies over ODZ, but is the threat of developing ODZ the real problem? As MDA we have been against development of ODZ but I think that the issue that is really both- ering people is related to the inconveniences arising from construction. I believe young contractors are not geared to work in a professional manner. This must change. The problem with inconven- ience is linked to the lack of en- forcement. There is no doubt that inconveniences will always hap- pen. We need enforcement and education happening at the same time. Today everyone wants to become a developer. We need to have more respect to our sur- roundings and the people. What about the problem of workers in this sector? Young Maltese do not work in this sector. It is tough work and that is why we need to revisit the trade schools. Young Maltese need to be trained in this seg- ments. The truth is that we are strong- ly dependent on foreigners and those who have negative feel- ings about then should realise that without foreign workers we would have no economy. What about the bubble? Until now there is no sign of a bubble; prices have been go- ing up. There will be some cor- rections. The study carried out by KPMG shows that prices are still going up. Malta is small and space is limited. It is important to care for our environment. The fact that 70% of Malta cannot be developed means that the prices will remain high. If I had to mention the absence of a skyline policy, how would you comment? I think it is too late to talk of a skyline policy to see to the mis- takes of past planning. Where do you see the market in 10 years? I do not see any other route than a Monaco here in Malta. We have taken this road. If pro- gress stops, many people will get hurt. Malta will be a Monaco – Sandro Chetcuti Sandro Chetcuti: The truth is that we are strongly dependent on foreigners and those who have negative feelings about then should realise that without foreign workers we would have no economy The game changer was the Planning Authority that turned out to be more efficient Name: Sandro Chetcuti Age: 47 Lives in: M'Scala Profession: Developer Where would he live if not Malta: Tuscany The most beautiful moment of his life: The birth of my children The most ugly moment of his life: When my father lay in a coma What do you plan to do in your life: I think I have something to offer and by this I do not mean in the property sector