Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/624751
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 JANUARY 2016 IV Property & Construction SANDRO CHETCUTI JUST five years after the MDA was founded, the association has taken on board the absolute majority of main contractors and developers related to the construction industry and property development in Malta and Gozo. Besides lobbying with government and the authorities to ensure that the industry remains healthy, the associa- tion acknowledges that development in such a small island archipelago like Malta and Gozo has to be sustainable and long-term planning is needed. Today I have no doubt that the MDA is the only professional association in its field. Part of the secret of its success has been its ability to attract other local bodies to become affiliated with it, including some trades sections, quarry owners, renewable energy sup- pliers and estate agencies, who are soon going to be regulated by law. Together we have managed to come to an accurate understanding of the wider national picture that goes be- yond the search for short-term prof- its. We are now in a position to help policy-makers understand better the practical implementation of the policies they are proposing or revising from time to time. The MDA was the key to help stimulate the growth of the national economy in the past few years. Our members are becoming more profes- sional every day thanks to the MDA's persistence in communicating success- fully the need for better quality. We are constantly striving to bring about a change in the traditional mentality where construction and property devel- opment are involved – and I believe we are succeeding. Besides planning issues, the MDA is looking to submit concrete proposals on how to improve our infrastructure to address the transportation issue and meet the challenges related to the EU Directive on zero energy emissions by 2020. While it is important to continue to improve our architectural designs and ensure better, high-end properties are brought to the market, for which there is a great demand, we also need to ensure a constant supply of afford- able housing for our children and the younger generations. In this way we will ensure that our enviable record of more than 80% of the population own- ing their own property can be main- tained. Our association has also sought to galvanise the many business own- ers within our fold to contribute to those more vulnerable members of our society as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Among the beneficiaries have been the Malta Community Chest Fund, the Dar tal- Providenza and the Marigold Founda- tion. Although there is still a lot that needs to be done, I believe that we are finally on the right path. The MDA's challenge during the year ahead is to tackle the abuse from certain people, who are usually not MDA members and act in a selfish manner. The association will not allow anyone to tarnish the good image and reputa- tion that our members have worked so hard to achieve in their efforts to become even more professional. There is no more room for cowboys or amateurs. We condemn without reservation those who are abusing the system by building illegally in certain areas, especially outside development zones (ODZ). We are aware that these people are not entrepreneurs, nor developers, but common people who think they can get away with murder if they have the money. The MDA will continue to work hard to earn greater respect from our citizens, who are fed up of this type of abuse. We are ready to build a rela- tionship with these genuine citizens to ensure that we are working together to build a better country. This, at the end of the day, is in all our interests if we really want such a beautiful island like ours to retain a healthy, growing economy and to continue to be a mag- net for tourists from around the world. Sandro Chetcuti is president of the Malta Developers Association There is no more room for cowboys or amateurs. We condemn without reservation those who are abusing the system by building illegally in certain areas, especially outside development zones (ODZ) Be smarter, bolder and faster with CENTURY 21 Zenith Realty WHETHER you are already an expe- rienced sales professional in the real estate industry or if you are enthusias- tic to start a new career in this sector, there is no better place for you than CENTURY 21 Zenith Realty. Backed by CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC, an international leader in resi- dential property sales, you will be able to leverage on this power in order to surpass the competition and succeed faster. 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