Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning said that the government was not only ensuring that people felt the instant benefits of a strong and just economy but was also making the country “future proof.”
Speaking on One Radio, Muscat said the government was keeping up its momentum even during a period when it is expected to slow down. “We are working to consolidate our economic results to improve the quality of life of our citizens, such as by improving salaries and pensions and reducing poverty. But we are also preparing the country for the future.”
Muscat said the government was investing in infrastructure for tomorrow. He mentioned the ongoing Kappara Junction project, now in its final stages. Half of the flyover has already opened to traffic. “This will be the new standard in government projects; on time, on budget and transparent. People can see the progress we are making with their own eyes. At the end of the day this is their money.”
The government, he said, will now start on a road improvement project, which is distinct from the 7-year pledge. The PL had pledged in its electoral manifesto to resurface all of Malta’s roads within a seven-year period. “That project will start once we have set up the roads agency.”
Muscat said the government wanted to keep attracting foreign businesses to Malta, adding that all talk that the country did not need any more investment was ‘empty.’
He referred to the news that STARR – a major global insurance player – was relocating its London operations to Malta. “They chose Malta as part of their post-Brexit plans. I can assure you that we had harsh competition from other EU countries but we managed to convince them to come. This did not happen overnight – we have been speaking with them since November.”
Muscat said he was certain that the government would be able to do the same with other countries and said that the Brexit Task Force – which would serve this exact purpose – would be announced in the coming days.
“We also need to look to the future by safeguarding our finances and increasing jobs,” the PM said, noting that, according to recent NSO statistics, fewer people are now dependent on social benefits.
“Even on infrastructure we have showed that we keep our promises. The gas-fired power station was the first step. We are now working on the gas pipeline and have submitted the application so that the project – one of the most expensive ever undertaken by this country – will be in place by 2024.” A European call will be issued by 2019, he said, adding that the completion of the gas pipeline will see the removal of the LNG tanker from Marsaxlokk.