Economy Minister Chris Cardona today lauded the latest employment figures which showed that almost 20,000 full-time jobs have been created so far during this legislature, for an average of 18 new jobs each day.

Dr Cardona was speaking during a visit to Metallform in Hal Far, which manufactures high grade medical equipment. The company started out with 15 employees but now has 256 people on its books. It is currently investing €1.3 million in an expansion project which will allow it to boost its workforce by another 70 people.

The Economy Minister said the government’s policies are leading to a high rate of economic growth and this is, in turn, translating into new jobs. Most of the new jobs were in the administrative, technical and professional services sectors, ICT, financial services, health and education. There are also positive trends in the manufacture and construction sectors.

These results, along with the fact that Malta has the second lowest unemployment in the EU are national success, Dr Cardona said.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said a number of measures introduced by this administration were facilitating this positive economic atmosphere. These included schemes that attracted people to work, free childcare and the Youth Guarantee.