Opposition leader Joseph Muscat promised that a Labour-led government would adopt a business-friendly approach while pledging his full commitment to eliminate bureaucracy which stifles the private sector.

Dr Muscat was speaking at the end of a visit he paid to Miller Distributors Limited in Luqa yesterday morning. The company has 250 employees across ten commercial divisions in the retail industry, focusing mainly on the print sector, books and magazines. In recent years it has invested heavily in newspaper printing technology opening up new markets both locally and abroad.

This has permitted the company to start printing foreign newspapers itself thus saving the considerable airfare expenses and at the same time making it hassle free to have foreign newspapers in Malta on the same day. At the same time the company which operates on a 24-hour basis offers IT management solutions in six countries.

Malcom Miller, CEO of the Miller Group remarked that despite the challenging economic times, the company is still optimistic about its future. He added that even though the local economy was not badly hit by the international recession, there was a marked reduction in the consumer’s spending power.

He said that his message to political parties is to support the private sector and be forthcoming for business opportunities and investments.

The company prides itself in having the largest online business model in Malta through its website agendamalta.com which carries over 1.5 million books in English and Maltese.

Mr Miller said that the English language still offers a significant advantage to the local economy, and expressed his optimism that the country has all the ingredients to have a better future. On the other hand he remarked that in general the Maltese are not very keen on reading, highlighting the fact that books are less popular locally. Mr Miller said that the recent EU report on literacy which placed Malta third from bottom among the 27 member states is further testament to this.

In his address the Labour leader, reiterated that a Labour government will re-establish the literacy unit to tackle this problem. He remarked that an educated workforce is directly linked to an increase in competitiveness.

Dr Muscat lauded the company for successfully linking the manufacturing industry with the retail aspect. He said that unfortunately over the years the retail industry was taken for granted by successive administrations, even though it is a crucial player in driving the economy.

The Malta Independent Daily and the Malta Business Weekly are published at Miller Distributors.