The Central Business District Foundation, formally known as the Mrieħel Enterprise Zone Foundation (MEZF) was officially established by Government in March 2016.

Rapid building development taking place within the Central Business District (CBD) , needs to be sustained and complimented by hard and soft infrastructure. The Central Business District Foundation (CBDF) is a public private partnership tasked to formulate and implement a vision for the Central Business District and also to formulate  immediate and long-term priorities that need to be addressed. Government and the Private Sector constitute the foundation with equal representation. A statute was drafted and approved by all the founding members.

Background

The Central Business District Foundation, formally known as the Mrieħel Enterprise Zone Foundation (MEZF) was officially established by the Prime Minister in March 2016. Investment in Mrieħel, was not being sustained by the overall state of the area, and leaved much to be desired, therefore MEZF later to become the Central Business District Foundation (CBDF), a public private partnership was formed and tasked to formulate and implement a vision for Mrieħel and also establish immediate and long-term priorities that needed to be addressed. Government and the private sector constitute the foundation with equal representation.

The Board of Administrators is composed of twelve members six representing the private sector and six representing Government. All private members of the Board of Administrators were elected by the founding members. The first eighteen founding members were Alberta Group, Allied Newspapers Ltd, Alter Domus, Attard & Co, BOV, Engel & Volkers Sara Grech, ESS, Farsons Group, Fino, Forestals, Gasan Group, Homemate, HSBC, JB Stores Ltd, Joinwell, MSV Life, PwC and Vernons Ltd. In 2017, 12 Private Sector operators joined the Foundation increasing the total number to 35.

Mr Louis A Farrugia chaired the Board of Administrators for the first 18 months representing the Private Sector. The current Chairman is Mr. William Wait also representing the Private Sector. According to the Foundation Deed, the Chairperson of the Board of Administrators shall be appointed by the Board of Administrators from among its members on an alternate basis, by the Government and the Private Sector Group for a period of eighteen (18) months. The responsibilities of the Board of Administrators include defining priorities for the area.

General Information

Scope

The intention to set up a Foundation for the day-to-day management of the CBD was an important first step to provide, in a co-ordinated manner, the necessary up-lift of the area which was urgently and immediately required.

A very important function of this Foundation is also to act as a point of reference for enforcements, issue of temporary permits and regulatory actions within the location.

The Foundation together with other competent Authorities are working on a long-term plan including aesthetics, health and safety, urban design, transport, maintenance, cleansing, waste management and all such matters which will continue to improve the area.

Team