‘Business must not become shorthand for questionable dealings’, says Quinco Holdings Executive Chairman

Norman Aquilina, Executive Chairman of Quinco Holdings, has said that business involves risking one's own capital, creating jobs, paying taxes, competing fairly and abiding by rules that apply to everyone, and is not about trading access for profit.

In a post on LinkedIn, Mr Aquilina wrote that “whenever we hear of potential wrongdoings, improper conduct, favours, and insider chats being referred to as ‘business ’, we risk dragging honest business into the mud. Let's be clear, that is not business.”

He said words matter because “when we allow the word ‘business’ to be used as shorthand for questionable dealings, if not outright corruption, we risk normalising such practices and stigmatising business. If it is abuse of office, call it abuse of office; if it is illicit activity, call it illicit activity, but let’s not call it business.”

Mr Aquilina said there is already a real sense of unfairness on the ground, with good corporate citizens who do things right, pay their dues and follow regulations feeling disadvantaged, and at times penalised, when competing with operators whose model is built on evading fiscal obligations and regulatory compliance.

He said there is therefore “a double duty” to ensure a level playing field where rules are enforced consistently for all, while also avoiding the loose association of the word “business” with unlawful acts.

Mr Aquilina also stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of what legitimate business really means.