Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1275680
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 5 AUGUST 2020 NEWS Chamber study proposes lowering VAT to 7% on travel and hospitality K ARL AZZOPARDI TRAVEL and hospitality ser- vices should be charged VAT at 7% and the wage subsidy re- tained until a COVID-19 vac- cine is found, an industry think tank has proposed. The measures form part of a wide-ranging document drawn up by a think tank set up by the Chamber of Commerce to map out an economic strategy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Other proposals include the regeneration of depleted areas in towns and villages, incen- tives for digital smart manu- facturing and the creation of a rapid mass transit system. The document unveiled on Tuesday also harps on the need for Malta's reputation to be tackled swiftly and decisively if the financial sector is to im- prove. The study targeted 11 themes – a clear economic vision, bet- ter regulation and enforce- ment, governance, digitalisa- tion, government assistance, human resources development, sustainability, reforms in edu- cation, infrastructure, commu- nication and data. Chamber President David Xuereb said the country and its economy constantly need rethinking, in order to sustain their resilience. "This is a forward-think- ing study which doesn't shy away from the circumstances brought about by COVID-19, but rather embraces them," he said. He also stressed a clear eco- nomic vision can be achieved by having clean governance, leading to the sustainable sup- port of businesses. The financial services round table said Malta's success in the Moneyval test will be an essen- tial step towards a successful future. The financial services team also stressed on the need to im- prove the government's e-Gov services and continued support towards innovation. "We need to create a plat- form for funding opportuni- ties which are directed towards start-ups, as well as improve in our efforts towards incen- tivising foreign expertise," the round table recommended. An expert group on the con- struction sector said a strategic national vision was necessary to harmonise laws and provide better regulation. Looking ahead, the chamber president said the think tank had a foresight of 24 months. "We are putting the national interest first, while not being armchair critics and working proactively," Xuereb said. Addressing those present minister Carmelo Abela com- mended the chamber for its initiative, stressing on sustain- ability and continual improve- ment. "We should be working to- gether so the country can move forward, the government needs to shoulder responsibility and is not taking anything for granted. We need to embrace change," he said. Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said that while COVID-19 was a shock to the economy and so- cial fabric of the community, one must look at it as a cata- lyst for change which was long overdue. President George Vella showed his appreciation in the direct manner in which infor- mation was gathered. "What we have known thus far, no longer applies, we are seeing deep rooting change taking place thanks to the pan- demic. We need to see what we have done wrong, and change," he told those in attendance. Would-be Paceville rapist, on bail for murder, charged with threatening second girl MATTHEW AGIUS A would-be rapist, on bail for murder, is back in police custody today after allegedly threatening his girlfriend and breaching bail. Before magistrate Donatella Frendo Di- mech this morning, Ahmed Rasem A. Franko (also known as Ahmed Franka), 35, from Libya was accused of causing his girlfriend to fear violence and damage to her property, inflicting criminal damage, breaching the peace, relapsing and breach- ing bail. Franko, who told the court that he worked as a kitchen hand, said he lived in Gzira, but police Inspector Trevor Micallef pointed out to the court that in actual fact, Franko resides in Marsaxlokk with the victim. Franko had been released on bail in May 2018 after being charged with the murder of a Colombian man in Paceville in 2016. Whilst on bail for that offence, the man was jailed in 2017 for the attempted rape of a Swedish girl in Paceville which had taken place in 2015. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges issued against him today. Bail was not requested. Lawyers Franco Debono and Marion Camilleri were defence counsel to the ac- cused. Ahmed Rasem A. Frankohad been released on bail in May 2018 after being charged with the murder of a Colombian man in Paceville