Bernard Grech has warned that the Chamber of Commerce’s proposal for a ban on new permits for supermarkets and shopping malls breaches the very concepts of the free market.
During a recent Lovin Malta interview, Grech was asked whether he agrees with the Chamber’s proposal, which was made by its CEO Marthese Portelli during a recent Times of Malta interview.
However, the PN leader poured cold water over the proposal.
“We always believed in the free market and that market demand directs investment,” he said.
“What is certain is that no businessman invests in anything without carrying out a serious plan beforehand, particularly large companies, who know that their investment could place them at an advantage or disadvantage.”
“I understand that Marthese thinks there are enough [supermarkets and shopping malls] but at the end of the day, it is the private sector which decides how much to invest.”
“This idea that the government must control who invests what and where… we believe that the government should help and give direction on where we want investment to take place.”
“The PN doesn’t believe in capping, the PN believes in a free market, in the private sector and in the capability of businessmen to plan, invest their money and take their own risks.”
Should a cap be imposed on the development of supermarkets and shopping malls?
