It seems surreal that while all facts and figures repeatedly prove the country's continuous wellbeing on all fronts, some are stubbornly stuck in their attempts to dig further into issues to create exasperated alarm, meant to harm the country.
It verges on the absurd that different cliques that aspire to be perceived as a respectable opposition cannot heal or at least mitigate their internal woes with inconsistent statements or contradictory positions. They seem unable to redeem themselves from their state of denial after the unprecedented electoral thrashing they suffered six months ago. Their reactions to the major events that have unfolded during the past week are clear symptoms of someone who cannot fathom the harsh defeatist state of mind that has unfortunately become their chronic political condition.
Pulling further all sorts of rubber strings in a puerile attempt to create doubts in anything under the sun will never heal their wounds. Resorting to sentimental rhetoric for partisan or populist will never lead to a decent opposition as expected by our Constitution and by an intelligent electorate. The country is in urgent need of an Opposition that is clear and consistent in its foremost role of being a possibly alternative government with concrete proposals and policies, far from the current and endemic childish jibes and outbursts.
Credibility
It is the credibility of results achieved that earns any government the people's trust. This week too Eurofound confirmed Eurobarometer's findings, namely that our nation has the second highest trust in its country's economic standing. Official figures confirm that a clear 72 per cent of our citizens have full trust in the country's future, while a good 77 per cent are confident of their children's wellbeing in the years to come. No wonder that some statistics list the Labour government among the top four European governments enjoying the highest nationwide trust.
The country has once again recorded the highest economic growth in the Euro area, with a real GDP growth rate of 7.2 per cent in the third quarter of this year. This growth rate is nearly three-times the average growth of 2.5 per cent recorded in both the EU28 and the Euro area. In nominal terms, GDP grew by 9.7 per cent.
The consistently robust growth recorded during the first three-quarters of this year was reflected in a €147 million, or 4.5 per cent, increase in private consumption of households. This in turn reflects the dynamic performance in the labour market, boasting a consistently record low unemployment rate of 3.5 per cent. Government final consumption expenditure remained contained, with a marginal increase of €7 million or 0.6 per cent.
On the success trail
It is encouraging to note that the growth is indeed being enjoyed by everyone, as confirmed by the robust increase in business profits, wages and salaries as well as private consumption. The €700 million increase in GDP in the first three-quarters of this year were distributed in a €200 million increase in compensation of employees, a €350 million increase in business profits and a €150 million increase in revenue from production and import taxes. During the first nine months of 2017, economic growth remained broad-based as the increase in the gross value added for all sectors reached €562 million.
This was reflected in growth rates by the professional, scientific and technical activities and administrative and support services and the construction sector. Other notable increases were registered in the arts, the entertainment and recreation sector, the information and the communication sector, as well as the wholesale and retail trade, and the accommodation and food services sector. Significant growth in gross value added was also recorded in the manufacturing sector.
Labour's clear vision
Such excellent results are the direct outcome of the initial roadmap with which the Labour government set out its economic and social administration of the country as of March 2013. The vision for an economic recovery was clear from the start, with bold decisions that, whilst strengthening the structures and solidarity measures in the social sectors, were pro-business and gave the private sector the necessary space to flourish and contribute towards a strong national economy.
In a most responsible way, we have shown that we have a clear vision for a consistent route to build a prosperity with a sound purpose. Leaders are there to establish the vision for the future through specific policies that set the strategy for getting there. Any sound strategy starts with having the right goal, but eventually all strategies must have constant monitoring and continuity.
For Labour, the basic component in tailoring and implementing its strategic measures was not to expect to be perfect but rather to submit to an ongoing consultation with all stakeholders, thus taking on board further ideas and involving all concerned towards the pre-set goals. This is constantly paying off and the positive results achieved all along are the best proof of this strategic approach.
A strategy for Gozo
In line with this, the Gozo Ministry has this week launched for public consultation the Strategy for Gozo, aimed at the "economic growth, social prosperity, better accessibility and the creation of new and better jobs." As an island region, Gozo's economy faces different challenges; however, it has substantial potential which still needs to be exploited.
In my introduction, I pointed out that access to European funds is crucial, and through this strategy, Gozitans will be focusing on their needs so that the island can continue to develop, paying particular attention to the environment and its specific characteristics, while continuing to obtain European funding for necessary projects to be carried out on the island. As my colleague Dr Aaron Farrugia explained during the launch, public consultation is needed so that Gozo can be better positioned to benefit from European funds.
Infrastructural projects will include the extension of Xewkija industrial park, the rehabilitation of the Xewkija windmill, the Gozo Museum, the walking, jogging and cycling trail in Ulysses Grove and the multi-sports outdoor facility where one kilometre will be developed into a green space. Other projects include the promotion of renewable energy systems in the domestic sector, where financial aid is being given, and the improvement of the Gozo MCAST campus, as part of the MCAST Campus Master Plan. Gozitans will also benefit from rural funds issued by the European Maritime and Fisheries Funds and from the Business Enhance Scheme.
The strategy is now open to public consultation and is intended to enable Gozo to adapt itself as a region that needs to ensure its fair share of EU Funds allocated to Malta and Gozo. We will be giving importance to the creation of work in Gozo, accessibility and infrastructure and we will also be introducing new services towards a better quality of life. All funds will be directed in line with the established priorities and I encourage all fellow Gozitans and our constituted bodies to participate in this consultation process, through which everyone can share their own ideas.