FOI inaugurates new premises
The urgent need to increase the country’s competitiveness was highlighted by Mr. Anton Borg, FOI President, when speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the Federation’s new premises in Floriana. In a reference to recent discussions at the MCESD, Mr. Borg emphasized “it is in our interest to make a joint effort – Government, Trade Unions and Employer organisations – to get the economy back on track.”
The new FOI premises were inaugurated by President Eddie Fenech Adami and blessed by Archbishop Guzeppi Mercieca in the presence of Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, other distinguished guests, as well as FOI Council members and FOI members.
At this event, Mr. Borg’s welcome address also outlined the important milestones in the history of the Federation from when it was founded in 1946 to its current activities. He explained that the new offices would facilitate the expansion of services being introduced by the Federation to its members including legal and industrial relations advisory services, as well as economic related services.
The FOI President was pleased that the Federation was setting up its offices in the prestigious Casa Leone whose interesting history dates back to 1742 when, under its original name of “Casa Franconi” it was built as a summer residence by the Balì Fra Fabrizio Franconi, a prominent and influential member of the Knights of St. John consisting also of a large and beautifully landscaped garden historically referred to as “Giardino Casa e Cortile del Sig. Commendatore Franconi”.
In his conclusion, Mr. Borg highlighted the various problems being currently faced by industrialists, Malta as a whole, as well as EU Member States, and stressed the importance for all stakeholders to put Competitiveness at the top of anyone’s agenda.