The Central Business District Foundation (CBDF) is encouraging more enterprises, situated in Imrieħel, to join its foundation. The foundation announced its interest in expanding through its March newsletter.  

Established in 2016 as a public-private partnership with the Government, the foundation currently has 43 members. These range from large enterprises which employ more than 250 employees, medium sized enterprises employing between 50 to 250 employees, small enterprises that employ more than 10 but less than 50 employees as well as micro enterprises which employ less than 10 people.

The first 18 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.

“Our members represent a good cross-section of the enterprises working within the CBDF,” the foundation remarked. In addition, the Chamber of SMEs – which is also a member of its board – collectively represents more than 200 operators within CBD.

Overall, the foundation aims to oversee the development of the Imrieħel area, which has a large number of businesses operating in an 800,000 square meter area.

The CBDF is also responsible for and finances the upkeep of the roads and pavements, park and ride scheme, waste collection and daily enforcement through the services of two police officers who patrol the area.

In 2022, CBDF issued over 3,000 temporary permits online for works conducted in the area, on behalf of the Birkirkara and Qormi Local Councils.

After a meeting with the new Superintendent of Police for the locality, it was agreed to introduce a system where the approval of the Police for temporary permits would be valid for the whole month, for multiple applications. This would reduce the need for having to apply for permits each time during the month in question, for each temporary activity.  

Members of the foundation are given the chance to vote in the Annual General Meeting, eligible for election to the Board, preferential and discounted parking spaces for employees and inclusion in a number of projects, “which are planned for the coming years by the foundation.”

Additionally, the foundation also highlights that membership provides a direct line to a “small but efficient” team that assist and support businesses in every aspect of operations within the Central Business District.

Overall, the Central Business District area has 800 enterprises, employing 18,000 individuals. “It is therefore evident that there is room for the foundation to increase its numbers.”

“At present the endowment scheme is also being reviewed to reflect the tremendous increase in enterprises working within the CBDF in the last few years,” the foundation shared.

In this case, endowments are based on the number of employees and the footprint area in square metres.