Stefano Mallia has been elected President of the European Employers Group (EEG) within the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

The EEG function is to bring together representatives of entrepreneur associations as well as entrepreneurs from across EU Member States. It promotes European integration by supporting the development of businesses.

The EESC is a consultative body of the EU, established in 1958. It is an advisory assembly composed of ‘social partners’, namely: employers (employers' organisations), employees (trade unions) and representatives of various other interests.

Mr Mallia was contested by Laurentiu Plosceanu, hailing from Romania, and won 87 per cent of the eligible votes. He will serve in the role for the nest two-and-a-half-years.

He commented that being elected president was “an incredible honour and responsibility.” Mr Mallia added that he was “very pleased from a Malta point of view, especially at this particular point in time”.

During the period 2010 – 2013 Mr Mallia was Vice President, Deputy President and President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry.

The Chamber congratulated Mr Mallia on his new role, remarking that to be “one of the most important roles related to the promotion of entrepreneurship in the EU”.