Former Chamber President Sounds Warning on Promises

Standing on the grand steps of the Auberge de Castille, former Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture President, Marisa Xuereb, had a stark warning for Malta’s business community. “Be wary of those who promise a lot,” she cautioned, her words echoing through the historic streets of Valletta.

Promises and Pitfalls

Xuereb, who led the Chamber from 2012 to 2021, was speaking at a business forum held in the capital. Her warning comes amidst a flurry of promises from various political parties and business entities, all vying to shape Malta’s post-pandemic recovery. “Promises are easy to make,” she said, “but delivering on them is a different story.”

Xuereb’s experience at the helm of the Chamber gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing Maltese businesses. She cited the example of the much-publicized iGaming industry, which has faced its share of ups and downs. “We’ve seen promises of growth and job creation,” she said, “but we’ve also seen the pitfalls of overpromising and underdelivering.”

Lessons from the Past

Xuereb believes that Malta’s business community should learn from the past. “We’ve been here before,” she said, referring to the 2008 financial crisis and the subsequent economic downturn. “We need to be realistic about our capabilities and our resources. We can’t promise the moon and the stars if we can’t deliver.”

She also emphasized the importance of sustainability and long-term planning. “We need to focus on sustainable growth, not just quick wins,” she said. “We need to invest in our people, in our infrastructure, and in our environment. That’s how we’ll build a resilient economy that can withstand the challenges of the future.”

Xuereb’s warning is a timely reminder as Malta looks to the future. With the pandemic receding and the economy beginning to recover, there’s a temptation to promise big and think small. But as Xuereb pointed out, “Big promises can lead to big disappointments. Let’s focus on what we can realistically achieve, and let’s do it right.”

As the business community looks ahead, it’s clear that Xuereb’s words will resonate. Her warning is not a call to pessimism, but a call to realism. It’s a reminder that while promises can inspire, they must also be grounded in reality. Because in the end, it’s not the promises we make that matter, but the promises we keep.