Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/692424
4 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 JUNE 2016 News Montekristo trade fair suspended as permit for extra space refused THIS summer's trade fair at the Montekristo Estate has been sus- pended after the authorities re- fused to grant the organisers more space than that they had applied for. The organisers of Il-Fiera l-Kbira had obtained a police permit for the fair, that was originally sup- posed to take place between 7-17 July. However, in a statement they said that the authorities had re- fused to grant them extra space, as they had done for the past two years. "Such fairs are sought after by the business community, which leads to a demand that normally exceeds the space which is li- censed," they said in a statement. "It is common knowledge, both with exhibitors and authorities, that in order to accommodate ex- hibitors, fair organisers use other areas." They questioned why the Fiera l-Kbira was denied the use of ex- tra space, when "other venues and event organisers have been given the go-ahead with their planned events". "In view of the above situation we felt that we needed to take a decision in the best interest of our exhibitors. We are therefore suspending this year's event until further notice." All deposits or payments re- ceived related to exhibition space or catalogue adverts are currently being returned or refunded. Owned by construction magnate Charles Polidano, the Montekris- to Estate is littered with illegalities and has been the subject of several enforcement notices. Last year's trade fair was originally refused a permit because of enforcement orders on the site, but the decision was eventually overturned by the police licences appeals board. Minister urged to address allegations surrounding new Central Bank governor FINANCE Minister Edward Scicluna has been urged to reassure that the government was looking into allegations surrounding Alfred Mifsud, who is set to become the gov- ernor of the Central Bank in the coming weeks. Reports that emerged this week accused Mifsud - cur- rently deputy governor - of taking "a significant amount of cash from a well-known busi- nessman when he was chair- man of Mid Med Bank" be- tween 1996 and 1998. When contacted by MaltaTo- day, Mifsud on Monday denied the allegations. "These allegations are strongly denied as fruit of revenge garbage from a per- sonal failed relationship and attempts to torpedo my next appointment. Raising 18-year- old garbage on the eve of an important appointment speaks for itself as to motivations," he said. Addressing parliament yes- terday, Nationalist MP Kristy Debono however insisted that a denial by Mifsud was not enough and the government – mainly the Finance Minis- ter – should reassure and give the peace of mind that there was no truth in the allegations made. "I'm not trying to score po- litical points," she said, adding that such a sensitive appoint- ment should not be made un- der any shadows. Reacting to Debono's con- cerns, Scicluna insisted that appointments in such sensitive posts are taken seriously. "The necessary due diligence will take place," he said. Scicluna went on to add that the Labour government would be honouring an electoral pledge in that individuals at the helm of a public entity or authority will be subject to scrutiny by a parliamentary committee. The Cabinet of ministers is currently agreeing on the parameters. Debono said that, through his appointment, Mifsud will also be sitting on the gover- nors' board of the European Central Bank, representing Malta, rendering allegations surrounding his part an inter- national matter. "Malta should not launch itself in another controversy which would mar the credibil- ity of our sound financial sec- tor." Debono insisted that her ap- peal went beyond political, financial, commercial and private ties that Mifsud could have had in the past. The MP insisted that this should be an opportunity to send a clear message that Mal- ta was appointing a credible person, especially in view of how Malta had been dragged into the Panama Papers revela- tions. "I am sure the Minister un- derstands me when I say that we can't get it wrong again. The stakes are too high. I am certain that the Minister is aware that the spotlight is on Malta," Debono told the House of Representatives. A 65-member European Par- liament committee is expected to carry out a serious inquiry into the way beneficial owners are allowed to hide their iden- tities, before summoning peo- ple like minister Konrad Mizzi – the only EU minister to have set up a Panama offshore com- pany through Mossack Fonse- ca to hide his beneficial owner- ship while in office – to answer to the inquiry. A member of the MEP com- mittee has told MaltaToday that Mizzi should "consider" preparing for an invitation. Debono insisted that Malta risked hitting international headlines for the wrong reasons if allegations sur- rounding Mifsud are not addressed and cleared. She went on to add that it was not enough for Mifsud "to simply deny the allegations over a phone call" and insisted that Scicluna should state what investiga- tions are underway to ascertain that there had been no wrongdoing. Alfred Mifsud, Central Bank Governor-designate Last year's trade fair was originally refused a permit because of enforcement orders on the site