Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/294639
! " # #" #! # ! ! # ! " !" " ! " " ! "# " $%&' ()'*' " *'+' " '%,'' *'*-- .,+%,'/' +'0' %,'' ,,'+ ! $%&' *'+' " *'*-- ,,'+ ! " ! ()'*' '%,'' .,+%,'/' ! +'0' " "" $ " ! "# $ % 1*2/' &+322 4 12 12 /) /+) *'/" " " ! "# $ & 1*2/' &+322 4 1*2/' &+322 4 "% 1*2/' &+322 4 5,6*%'%' " Alfred Sant Roberta Metsola Miriam Dalli David Casa Marlene Mizzi Therese Comodini Cachia Norman Vella Arnold Cassola Clint Camilleri Others Don't know SAVIOUR BALZAN PRESSURE from the finance ministry's own budget office has led Finance Minister Edward Scicluna to U-turn on implementing two cru- cial measures that Labour promised, in pander- ing to the construction lobby before the 2013 elections. Senior civil servants advised the minister that the introduction of a 15% withholding tax on property rented for commercial purposes, would lead to a severe drop in government revenue from those already paying 35% tax on property rentals (see back page). The other proposal that had been spearheaded by the construction industry was the removal of the government architect for valuating sales of properties. Scicluna in his Budget had proposed using the services of private architects. Once again the finance ministry strongly advised that this measure would lead to some serious abuses and Edward Scicluna has accepted to withdraw this proposal. LABOUR is leading the Euro- pean Parliament election polls by four points over the PN, but has experienced a drop of seven points in support since MaltaToday's last survey in March. Respondents were asked which party they would vote for, who they voted for in the last general elections in 2013, and who they voted for back in 2008. And in the trust barometer, Joseph Muscat loses four points while Simon Busuttil gains two points – but Muscat still leads Busuttil by 10 points. 85% of those who said they voted PN in 2013, are sure again of voting for the PN. But in a sign of changing for- tunes since their landslide vic- tory in 2013, 75% of PL voters said they would vote for Labour again. Interestingly, 4.4% of Labour voters said they are not voting, compared to just 1.4% of the PN's 2013 voters. Another 15.8% of Labour vot- ers are undecided, compared to just 6.4% of PN voters. 37% of the switchers – those who voted PN in 2008 and then voted Labour in 2013 – are sure of voting for Labour in the MEP elections, but 11% said they will vote for the PN this time around. Front-runner candidates are former Labour prime minister Alfred Sant, and Nationalist in- cumbent Roberta Metsola. Nationalist MEP David Casa and Labour candidate Miriam Dalli have lost ground since last March's survey, but remain sec- ond in their respective camps for a sure MEP seat. Labour incumbent Marlene Mizzi has edged close to Dalli among Labour voters, while Nationalist candidates Therese Comodini Cachia and Nor- man Vella have gained ground among Nationalist voters. JURGEN BALZAN TRANSPORT Malta has awarded a lucrative permit for a f loating dock in the Grand Harbour, with- out issuing a call for tender or an expression of interest. Transport Malta chief executive James Piscopo confirmed with MaltaToday that a private compa- ny was directly awarded the per- mit " because this was an imme- diate, realisable opportunit y that ought not to be missed." The operation is expected to generate a turnover in the region of €10 million annually, Piscopo said, adding that this would also have a spillover effect for subcon- tractors and related services. MaltaToday is informed the per- mit for the superyacht facilit y, which will be situated at the Outer Coal Wharf in Kordin, was award- ed to entrepreneur Pierre Balzan, who only last month registered a new company, Melita Shipyard Ltd. However, Piscopo would only confirm that TM had entered into an agreement with a third part y operator for the use of Outer Coal Wharf for the berthing and opera- tion of a f loating dock and for the provision of repair services on su- peryachts and marine vessels. "The initiative is directed to- wards addressing lack of capacit y issues, increasing competition and is thought to be an important step towards the further development of this lucrative industry," Piscopo said. He said the 12-month agreement was similar to other agreements for use of other port areas, and renew- able subject to the success of the operation and at TM's discretion. However, although TM awarded a 12-month contract, the operator is bound by a series of long-term conditions, including the engage- ment of four apprentices for three consecutive years. Piscopo also said the operator will invest €4 million in infrastruc- ture, equipment and upgrading of the area, and must employ 10 addi- tional employees to the current di- rect complement in the first year. YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT Newspaper post maltatoday SUNDAY • 13 APRIL 2014 • ISSUE 753 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY €1.20 PAUL PACE INTERVIEWED PGS 12-13 INSIDE YOUR FREE COPY OF Matthew Kassar New Places New Places " New Places " Art Exhibition Open free to the public 5 - 28 April 2014 Monday to Friday from 9.00am to12.30pm & from 4.30pm to 8.00pm Saturday morning only. Messina Palace, St. Christopher Street, Valletta Supported & sponsored by matthewkassar.com xxxxx Lucrative superyacht permit granted without issuing tender Backtrack on government architects TODAY TODAY TODAY €2.00 WHERE SOLD ISSUE NUMBER 27 APRIL 2014 Easter treats at Debbie's Café Spring vegetables fresh from the farm The ultimate wedding guide Transport Malta executive chairman James Piscopo: no tender for 12-month superyacht facility because there was 'immediate, realisable opportunity that ought not to be missed' SEE PAGES 16-17 today • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY mt survey PN consolidates, Labour yet to reach out to undecided voters 14.0 32.6 8.1 4.2 4.1 3.7 2.2 1.9 1.8 5.3 1.2