The government has implemented 70% of the proposals it made in the budget for 2015, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this afternoon.

This is 10% less than the 80% implemented from the 2014 budget, but one has to keep in mind that the budget for 2015 contained more proposals, the PM said. He also said that this year's budget is a month earlier.

He explained that in reality, 15% more measures would be implemented by the end of the year, over the 2014 budget. In total, 252 measures would be implemented by the end of December (60 more than the previous year).

The upcoming budget's theme, he said, will be "a strong economy".

He was addressing journalists at Castille just two days before the government presents its budget for 2016, releasing the document showing those measures implemented, and those still being worked on.

Dr Muscat said that 2016 will see the start of three major projects by the private sector in the St George's Bay area. With this in mind, the government plans to set up a St George's Bay Regeneration Corporation which will coordinate the infrastructural works to be carried out.

He said that infrastructure will be a priority in the coming budget, and not just with regard to traffic. He said that in the coming years, the number of tourists arriving on the island is expected to rise to two million per year, as such he wants to look at areas which see heavy traffic, like Bugibba and Paceville, and improve the infrastructure in those areas. As an example, he said these areas cannot be cleaned just once a week, and said that this work cannot just be dumped on local councils.

To tackle the traffic problem on the island, he said that government is considering the possibility of an underground as well as other systems, such as underground tunnels that can be used as roads.

"One of the things that went unnoticed was the call for proposals regarding the Connections project," Dr Muscat said, that would link Valletta to Sliema and the South. "We people coming from these areas, rather than driving to Valletta, to use a ferry service. However once reaching the Harbour we understand the need for a connection to the centre of the capital city. If we manage to move forward with such a scheme we would cut down part of the traffic problem.

In the short term, he spoke about the Smart Traffic System, where cameras would monitor traffic and will send messages through the radio telling drivers which roads to avoid, and can also help the police with diversions.

He also mentioned the Tidal system, and will be used in Marsa soon. "The road near the shipbuilding facilities would be perilous to drivers if left open to traffic when works are under way". He said if, for example there are four lanes, 2 one way 2 the other, in the morning there would be 3 one way and in the evening would switch.

Dr Muscat also said that early in 2016, the document "2015 simplification measures" will be published, which will include the measures taken to reduce beaurocracy.

He said that government finances are strong, and so is the economy. Dr Muscat said that healthcare (primarily with regards to waiting lists), education, pensions and those who are struggling on the verge of poverty will be a priorities in the coming budget.

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, who also addressed the conference, said that the deficit decreased by €69 million, and that it is on track to decrease to 1.6% of GDP.