9.07: In the opening three budgets of this legislature, the government was realistic in its targets. Fiscal targets have been reached and the national debt will fall to below 60% of GDP. We are planning for next year and for the years ahead. The government implemented what it promised and has reached the expectations of the families, businesses and financial institutions. We have been upgraded by Standard and Poor's. At the same time, we strengthened our economy. We gave a new life to young people who did not have a job and thousands of others who used to be dependent on social assistance. In spite of these successes, the best is yet to come. With a strong economy, our country can decide its own future. Wealth is reaching one and all.
TMI BUDGET 2017 from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.
9.04pm: The day care centre in Mtarfa will be modernined.
9.03pm: 10 small homes in the community will be built for people with a disability. Three homes have already been opened in Siggiewi, Victoria and Zurrieq.
9.02pm: Lifts will be installed in government residential buildings - around 211 premises in which 4,400 reside. The project will be carried out over six years.
9.01pm: More projects are planned for the lower part of Valletta as part of the Valletta 2018 initiative.
9pm: An indoor pool will be built in the Cottonera Sports Complex. The Tal-Qroqq pool deck will be rebuilt. Facilities at the Marsa Sports Ground will be upgraded. Work will start on a sports complex in Santa Venera while a modernisation exercise will be carried out at the Ta' Qali pavilion.
8.58pm: As from 1 January, no smoking will be allowed in cars in cases when children are present.
8.57pm: Government will work with the social partners to introduce special medical leave to patients suffering from cancer,
8.56pm: Next year more cancer medicines will be added to the list of medicines available without charge.
8.55pm: More medicines will be introduced and amde available to people who suffer from diabetes. Glucose sticks will be given to diabetes patients (Type 1 and 2)
8.54pm: There will be more investment in medical equipment at Mater Dei Hospital. Work will start on the expansion of the car park at the hospital.
8.53pm: The distribution of medicines to people over 70 years of age will cover more localities as from next year.
8.52pm: The government is planning a hospital that will specialise in treatment for mothers and children.
8.51pm: A regional hub offering primary health services is planned to be established at the former Pace Grasso ground in Paola.
8.49pm: A consultation process will be initiated to study the possible extension of voting rights to 16 year-olds for general elections and EP elections.
8.48pm: A consultation process will be carried out on the possibility that gay people could start donating blood.
8.47pm: The government is committed to evaluate the possibility of insurance for members of disciplined corps.
8.46pm: A consultation process will start on the proposal that a parent can use sick leave allotment to take care of his/her children.
8.45pm: There will be more scrutiny in the appointment of chairpersons of public entities. and ambassadors.
8.44pm: When minor traffic contraventions are committed, a warning ticket will be issued instead of a fine. But there will be an increase in penalties for drivers caught driving under the influence of alcohol. The points system will be extended to all other drivers and licences can be suspended.
8.43pm: Money saved from the fact that no local council elections will be held next year will be distributed to local councils.
8.42pm: The government is committed to make the justice system more efficient. Three new court rooms will be built in 2017 to increase the total to 27.
8.41pm: Work is underway for the Malta Film Commission to offer a better package of incentives to attract more films to Malta.
8.40pm: Facilities at the Mediterranean Conference Centre will be improved to attract more conferences to Malta
8.39pm: Money collected from the 50c per night contribution made by tourists will be admnistered by a trust set up between the government and the private sector.
8.37pm: A committee will be set up to work for Comino to be given the status of a National Park.
8.36pm: One of the greatest challenges is Air Malta. The national carrier cannot continue to operate as a stand alone airline with a small fleet. Government understands the need for Air Malta to team up with a larger organisation as this gives the airline an advantage.
8.35pm: Some 1.9 million tourists will be visiting Malta by the end of the year, The aim is to reach two million in 2017.
8.34pm: A Joint Innovation Centre will be established between the University of Malra and Huawei.
8.33pm: In 2017, Projects Malta will see the implementation of projects agreed to by the government and the private sector, such as St Luke's Hospital, Karen Grech Hospital and the Gozo General Hospital.
8.32pm: As from 1 January, shops and commercial outlets will not require a licence to operate. There will be changes in opening times of shops. Government will continue to implement measures to reduce bureaucracy.
8.30pm: Planning fees linked with projects and development in industrial zones will be reduced.
8.28pm: The former Dowty factory will be converted into a centre for the manufacture of food.
8.27pm: 14 million will be spent on the regeneration of the Ta' Qali Crafts Village.
8.26pm: Government will expand ICT services. The number of hot spots will be increased.
8.25pm: The Gaming Authority will be working on a reform in the regulatory system.
8.24pm: Government expects more companies to operate from the Life Sciences Park.
8.23pm: Government will be setting up an entity to be known as Property Malta, aimed to attract foreigners to invest in Malta.
8.20pm: Companies will be given incentives in the form of tax credits to companies who invest in a pension scheme on behalf of their employees.
8.19pm: Government will encourage more investment in the Malta Stock Exchange through fiscal incentives. A Risk Investment Scheme will be launched for people who invest in an SME. There will also be incentives to entrepreneurs who sell their shares by listing their company in the Stock Exchange,
8.18pm: Government remains committed to upgrading the financial services industry. We will sustain and defend the Maltese tax regime but we will work to ensure that the Maltese tax system will remain up-to-date with developments.
8.16pm: In the six months of European presidency, Malta will focus on immigration, relations with Mediterranean neighbours, martime aspects, tourism and the development of the single market.
8.15pm: Government will continue with its successful Individual Investor Programme (IIP)
8.14pm: The Malta Development Bank will start operating in 2017. A Joint Enforcement Task Force will be set up to coordinate the work of the Income Tax Department, the VAT Department and the Customes Department.
8.12pm: A fast ferry service is to operate between Malta and Gozo to improve connectivity. Geological studies have been carried out with the aim of having a permanent link between Malta and Gozo. In 2017, a public call for tenders will be issued for the design, building and operating of a sub seabed tunnel.
8.11pm: 6 million euros will be spent on an elderly people's home in Ghajnsielem. Work will be carried out to embellish village squares.
8.10pm: A museum of Gozo will be built at a cost of 5 million euros. Gozo will have a new swimming pool andthe law courts will start operating from a more modern building. The Victoria primary school will be relocated.
8.08pm: The government is allocating 3.2 million euros for a fibreoptic link to support Gozo's growing infrastructure. This is intended to attract more IT industry to Gozo.
8.06pm: The Planning Authority will offer incentives for the development of public parking spaces.
8.04pm: A breakwater is planned for Marsaxlokk Harbour.
8.01pm: Work will continue on the Buskett project, Kennedy Grove, Argotti Gardens and there will also be investment in a new park in Zabbar.
8pm: Work on the new ITS complex in Smart City will start in 2017. Government committed to regenerate Marsaxlokk. A new civic centre will be built in Zabbar.
7.58pm: The government will continue to invest in the cruiseliner industry. Pinto Wharf will be extended by 15 metres. Talks will start on the expansion of the Deep Water Quay.
7.57pm: A company will be set up to cater for oil exploration matters.
7.56pm: Government will concentrate on the Kappara Junction project which should be ready by the end of 2017. Once this is ready, a new road project will start in Marsa. There will also be work on the Hamrun by-pass, St Andrews, the Mosta ring road and in Zurrieq, Safi, Senglea and Valletta.
7.55pm: People who turn 18 in 2017 will be given a year of free public transport.
7.54pm: 150% of expenditure up to a maximum of 35,000 euros will be given to companies who organise a transport system for their employees.
7.53pm: The government will not ignore traffic issues. The increase in cars is a result of more people with jobs and more tourists. Some 12,000 new cars were introduced on the road every year.
7.51pm: Maltese people are using public transport more than they did in the past. More than 40 million passengers made use of it in the past year. The government will be insisting with the operator to improve the service.
7.49pm: Government will be issuing solar bonds to finance solar panels to be installed by commercial establishments.
7.48pm: Public schools will continue to be used for the installation of photovoltaic panels
7.47pm: Enemed will modernise the storage facilities at Has-Saptan and develop a filling station with an investment of 50 million euros. Enemed is also working to modernise its facilities at the airport.
7.46pm: A gas pipeline linking Malta with Gela in Sicily is still on the cards. In 2016 work was carried out on identifying the best route for the underwater pipeline and the issuing of environmental permits, and the identification of location where the pipeline will link with the Delimara gas power station.
7.43pm: The time has come for Malta to benefit from the new energy plant that operates on gas, at a time when the price of oil is on the rise. The plants operating on heavy fuel oil will be closed to be replaced by the plants operating on gas. The Marsa power station will be decommissioned once and for all.
7.42pm: Enemalta's transformation continues with improvement in credit ratings obtained after an investment of 80 million euros.
7.39pm: There will be more investment in the university through the extension of the Materials Engineering Lab and the Maths and Physics building. Work on the MCAST campus in Kordin will continue.
7.38pm: 400,000 euros will be allocated to teachers who wants to take asabbatical year to further their studies.
7.37pm: As from next year, students under 24 years of age who work as self-employed will be paying a pro rata social security rate of 15 per cent on their net income.
7.35pm: Students stipends will be revised pro rata.
7.34pm: Government will build three schools in St Paul's Bay, Marsascala and Victoria.
7.33pm: Government will work to increase literacy with the opening of two Literacy Programme Centres. Sport will be used as a way to encourage young students to learn to read and write. The project will start in Birkirkara, St Paul's Bay, Cospicua and Victoria.
7.31pm: Government will revise law on Malta government treasury bills for the government to be able to issue savings bonds.
7.30pm: Government will be extending subsidies to elderly people who employ carers in their home, for a maximum of 5,200 euros.
7.28pm: 8 million euros to be allocated to be distributed to people employed in government corps (1970s), Malta Electricity Board, former port workers. A special board will be set up to administer this fund.
7.26pm: A pilot project involving 100 families will see the drawing up of a seven-year contract for low-income families renting property from private individuals.
7.24pm: Subsidies for housing rent will be doubled to 1,400 families.
7.23pm: Disabled people will gradually be given assistance will will eventually amount to the minimum wage. Disabilities currently not covered by the law will be introduced in the system.
7.21pm: Carers allowance will be of 90 euros per week, which is 728 euros more per year than the current rate
7.19pm: Elderly people will be encouraged to stay at home through allowance to be given to have carers employed to take care of people with different grades of dependence.
7.17pm: Removal of gender inequality for women who were discriminated against, a measure that will mean an extra 20 euros per week in some instances.
7.15pm: A grant of 300 euros will be given to people aged over 75.
7.12pm: Pensioners will also be getting a rise in their pension - 208 euros per year. Pensioners over 61 years of age will not pay income tax up to 13,000 euros. This reform will be carried out over two years.
7.10pm: People on the minimum wage will get a comprehensive four euros per week.
7.08pm: Income tax ceilings will be increased for couples with children with only one parent working, and for single parents.
7.07pm: 1,322 people who lived on social assistance have found employment. Another 2,050 who received unemployment assistance have found a job.
7.05pm: Government implementing a series of measures to cut down on poverty.
7.03pm: Transfer of business from parents to children will be taxed 1.5% instead of 5%. First time buyers measure to be extended by another year. Fiscal incentives for people buying property in Gozo during 2017.
7.02pm: Shareholders who receive dividends from companies listed on the stock exchange will be getting a tax refund.
7.01pm: Price of cigarettes will go up an average of 3.76% while excise on tobacco will go up 5.5%. Excise on alcohol will go up two cents per litre. Excise duty on construction material will be introduced.
7pm: Excise on black garnage bags that are not bio-degradable will be increased as from tomorrow.
6.59pm: Eco-contribution tax will be removed on batteries, mattresses, detergents, toiletries, vehicle filters. Toiletries will be charged excise duty as from 1 January 2017.
6.57pm: Cost of Living Adjustment increase is 1.75 euro per week. Increase will be given to pensioners.
6.56pm: Deficit for 2017 projected at 0.5% while debt forecasted to go down to 61.9%
6.55pm: Government is forecasting exports to go up by 2.8% in 2017. Increase in importation to go up by 4.2%
6.54pm: Public debt will go down to 63.3% of GDP.
6.53pm: Public deficit will go down to 0.7 %, 0.4% better than estimated in the last budget. The government's aim for a positive fiscal balance in on the cards.
6.52pm: Tourist arrivals went up by 5.4% while the number of nights spent went up by 7.3%
6.51pm: In April this year, the increase in employment numbered 7,400. More women are working and less young people are unemployed.
6.50pm: In the first half of this year, Malta registered a 4.1% growth in real terms (6.1% in nominal terms), more than double that achieved in the EU. We have arrived at a situation when people are not looking for a job, but are looking for a better one.
6.48pm: We will continue to invest in our ecomomy but this budget is social too. It has been labelled: Malta - wealth that reaches everyone
6.46pm: We will try to achieve what North European countries managed some time ago - a 70% employment rate.
6.45pm: In the first half of 2016, wages increased by more than 443 million euros (28 per cent). Bank deposits by Maltese families reached 10.3 billion euros.
6.43pm: Budget after budget, we worked to strengthen the economy, improved social benefits and rewarding people who work. We raised pensions. Our economic growth was accompanied by an increase in employment. National wealth went up by 15% and employment rose by 13%.
6.42pm: Standard and Poor's have icreased Malta's rating to A- from BBB+. This was achieved because the government is reaping results.
6.40pm: Elsewhere, people are worried about unemployment. In Malta, only 5 per cent are concerned about jobs.
6.38pm: We have come at a point when the economic results Malta is obtaining are envied by other countries. Our families are not living in uncertainties.
Eurobarometer surveys shows that whereas in 2012 61 per cent of the people were worried about inflation, today the percentage has decreased to 24 per cent.
6.35pm: The budget being presented this evening is being presented with serenity because the Maltese people are understanding what the government's plan for the country is. They are feeling the positive effect in their pockets.
Not only, but they have also understood that what the government has done has been done for it to meet the targets set before the election.
6.30pm: It's going to be a long address. Maybe not as long as the nearly four-hour speech of three years ago. 140 pages is no joke. Fingers crossed. Here we go.
6pm: Minister Scicluna has left the Finance Ministry to go to the Palace in Valletta where the budget was signed by President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca before it is presented in the House of Representatives.
The Finance Minister is expected to start his address at 6.30pm.
Photos Jonathan Borg and Michael Camilleri
