(Adds Liquigas statement)

Gas distributors will be taking action if Liquigas is allowed to embark on its own distribution system, the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU, has warned.

In a statement this afternoon the GRTU said distributors had exclusivity, which Liquigas was bound to honour contractually.

However, it was making several attempts to destroy the system which had worked well in Malta for years.

The GRTU warned that if Liquigas was allowed to impose its system under an excuse or another, trouble would follow.

Liquigas, the GRTU said, had already tried to destroy its competitor and it was now turning on to the distributors.

The chamber said it did not want to create trouble or hardship to consumers but if Liquigas were wasto do what it wanted it would have to issue the necessary directives to protect its members.

Threats and intimidation not an acceptable method of negotiation

In a statement, Liquigas said that threats and intimidation were not an acceptable method of negotiation.

It said it was taking part in discussions with the government and the GRTU to help resolve the issues that existed with the objective of ensuring the best possible service to customers.