Comments on: Malta Employers Association says that citizenship sale “can tarnish Malta’s reputation as a trustworthy country”

By: Santayana

Santayana — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:34:27 +0000

“[Chris Cardona and Edward Zammit Lewis] attributed parts of the criticism levelled by the international media to the Opposition campaign against the programme saying the Opposition was tarnishing Malta’s reputation abroad.”

Classic Mintoffian strategy. And so it begins, again.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131115/local/citizenship-programme.494819#.UoYP1LK9KSM

By: Harruba

Harruba — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 12:23:56 +0000

MEA issued a feeble statement compared to the strong reaction and blogs from the European citizens. It has been a day of shame for the PL and for the Maltese There hasn’t been one country who has reported a favourable post for this scheme ever excerpt you read seems to be in shock and portrays Malta a bankrupt and failing country. What a truly sad story.

By: Manuel

Manuel — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 09:26:45 +0000

“Malta has managed to create a sound financial services sector that enjoys an international reputation of competence, transparency and professional integrity, which currently is the source of employment to thousands of high skilled individuals, and is one of the growth elements in our Gross Domestic Product,” the Malta Employers Association said.

And all this thanks to GonziPN. And their members backed Labour.

By: ciccio

ciccio — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 01:37:03 +0000

In reply to Lomax. MEA culpa.

By: Lomax

Lomax — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 00:30:43 +0000

How many MEA members are switchers? How many fell over themselves to publicize and endorse the lowering of water and electricity tariffs. How many turned their backs on the Nationalist Party because it was out of fashion?

I am sorry, MEA. Really. It is too late now. You should have seen it coming. Now we can only watch and wait. This is just after 7 long months. Just wait till the end of these five years.

By: Min Jaf

Min Jaf — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:34:37 +0000

It is not "can tarnish". It is definitely will tarnish Malta's reputation.

By: Etienne Bonello DuPuis

Etienne Bonello DuPuis — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 22:20:58 +0000

What an unholy mess. The scenario is frightening.

Financial services possibly already in distress, investors rethinking, undesirables, the US revoking our visa waiver, the whole of Europe looking at us because we’re selling a part of THEIR Europe.

What next? This can spiral into a bottomless pit.

We get bad press because of hunting and tourists opt for other destinations, because they disagree with us. Let’s hope this won’t snowball, because by now they probably hate us.

The trouble is that with passports going to unknowns, legitimate businesses in the process of thinking about investing in Malta will start their un-think process and move on to possibly second choice but more reputable destinations. Places where they know who’s who, and who’s really from where.

There is only one way to go with this; down. We have so much more to lose than gain. And this for a paltry €30 million. Yes, paltry.

In the world of global corporations, governments, crime, high finance, international business, government contracts, European funds and so much more, €30 million in nothing. Nothing at all.

So to get the €30 million we risk €300 million and, more importantly, our reputation – very sound judgement indeed.

I cringe.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:54:24 +0000

A good piece:

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/blogsdetails/blogs/Dear-Joseph-I-am-not-a-N-ationalist-20131114

By: Pat Zahra

Pat Zahra — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:41:44 +0000

Eventually, anyone bearing a Maltese passport will be automatically suspect.

Our children’s freedom of movement in Europe will be compromised. They will find it harder to get a job and if anything happens (a terrorist attack in their area, for instance) they will be among the first to fall under suspicion. In nine short months this government has turned us into pariahs.

By: Makjavel

Makjavel — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:16:54 +0000

I hate to say this , but Labour has shown that they can only successfully ride a truck and bang iron bars on the side.
Noise and Damage, this is their strong point.