Laying the foundations

The Malta Independent online
14 March 2010


by tonio Borg
Two years ago, for the third time in a row, the Maltese and Gozitans voted for the Nationalist Party’s policies. In two years a lot has been achieved. The foundations of this legislature have been laid.

Work and creation of new opportunities are at the forefront of the government’s agenda. Attracting more foreign direct investment, be they new factories or the extension of existing ones and helping local entrepreneurs invest further, is the cornerstone of this administration. Fully conscious of the difficulties arising out of the global economic recession, this government has done all it can to soften the blow on the Maltese economy. With the safeguarding of jobs as its top priority together with the creation of new jobs, this administration has worked hard to support companies facing difficulties and encourage others to expand their operations. Local investors, especially the self-employed and small and medium sized entrepreneurs have been given particular attention.

The last two years have seen the world’s greatest financial institutions collapse sparking off one of the longest global recessions since the Great Depression. Multinationals laid off thousands of employees, countries faced major budgetary problems, unemployment in Europe crossed the 20 per cent mark and global demand shrank.

The action that was taken dominated international and European fora. Reactions to the bleak international scenario varied. There were those that increased income tax, others VAT, and others even slapped a tax on property and business to mitigate spiralling national debt. These, together with harsher measures such as wage freezes and the raising of the pensionable age were just a few of the drastic action that had to be taken in order to ride the recession.

What did we do?

In the tourism sector we set up private sector schemes and increased funding for advertising overseas.

Investment in capital projects increased, creating jobs in the process. New schools will soon open their doors in Mosta and Gozo. More roads are being built from scratch in Marsascala, Zurrieq and Victoria. We are investing in more waste management projects further lessening sea pollution. Maghtab is being rehabilitated, eliminating the emission of gasses. We invested in an incinerator, which is essential for the treatment of industrial waste. We are investing more in embellishment projects across the country. To mention but a few – St Anne’s Square, Ta’ Qali Adventure Park, St George’s Square have been developed for the Maltese. 2010 will see many more infrastructural projects with even more jobs being created.

Our educational system has never been stronger. Our children have never had such good quality schools and teachers. Educational reform across the educational spectrum is ensuring that our children’s full potential is reached. Teachers and parents alike are responding well to this investment in their children. More computers and electronic equipment, together with better-equipped laboratories are slowly but surely turning our schools into the best schools on the island. At tertiary level, 16,000 students are receiving a stipend and today, more than ever before, we are granting scholarships for more young people to specialize and advance. All this because we believe in the next generation and education is the key to tapping its full potential.

On health our policy is clear. The best possible care for FREE. This will remain unchanged. We opened a Breast Screening Centre to anticipate breast cancer. We also opened up more specialisations in Malta. Today not all specialists leave the country in order to further their studies. Surgeries carried out are on the increase. Suffice it to say that last year 39,000 surgeries were performed – an increase of 6,000 on the year before. The figures are indeed impressive and each year the number will increase as we work hard to cut waiting lists, always ensuring the best care for our patients.

On reform in various sectors we have been categorical. Our society has changed greatly over the last two decades. We take note of these changes and implement a sure policy of reform, always in consultation with the interested parties. This can be seen in the process for the privatisation of the drydocks, which removed all subsidies while safeguarding jobs and ensuring its economic contribution. The reform of the rent laws ensuring that justice is made as well as the reform of the local councils is more examples of our convictions when it comes to reform and progress. The culmination of our efforts can be seen in the proposed Mepa reform, which is the result of the widest consultation ever. We are moving towards a more efficient, consistent and accountable process that puts the citizens’ needs first. This is also the case in the reform of the public transport. It is true that reforms take time, however the benefits we will reap as a country when tangible, will be far reaching.

These are the foundations that we laid. Together we are working on constructing a stronger country – one that will be able to climb out of this recession as a strong participant in the European Union. One that is economically and politically robust to face the ever-increasing global and regional challenges. Our plans have only just started bearing fruit and will take the full legislature to really take shape. What is sure is one thing – the Maltese and Gozitan citizens are at the heart of all our decisions. Difficult as they may seem, our vision is long sighted and one that will ensure the highest quality of life for our citizens. Together with those interested, we will work to overcome all difficulties and create more jobs by investing responsibly.

Our track record speaks for itself. The bold decisions taken in the past, more specifically Malta’s membership of the EU and eurozone, were vital to face the recession.


Dr Borg is Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs

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