The country's performance over the past five years proves that optimism is essential for achievement and is also the foundation of courage and true progress.

A European Commission survey for December shows that Malta was rated as having the highest level of optimism of all EU countries. The survey was carried out on businesses and consumers and was based on 1,500 commercial entities and 1,000 families. It shows that economic trust in the government in December increased by four per cent over the previous month to the highest level since such research has been conducted. It is to be noted that this impressive level of trust and optimism is 35 per cent higher than it was in 2013.

Statistics and real facts

Rather than relying on such data on economic growth from political barometers, the benefits of a strong economy could be seen by the money in people's pockets and commercial outlets over the Christmas period. People can say that this was a good Christmas, they felt good and they had more disposable income so could therefore spend more. This was very evident in Gozo too and showed how the vast majority of people and businesses are benefiting from economic growth.

With the New Year, people are now enjoying higher pensions, an increase in the minimum wage and wages in general, and an extra day of leave as part of the process to compensate for public holidays which fall at a weekend, through the implementation of the first ever budget that introduced no new taxation. Such growth was thanks to the government's bold decisions and we will now further address the elements of society that has not benefited enough so far, such as the unemployed - although this number is among the lowest ever, with the GRTU stating that entrepreneurs are not finding sufficient employees. We will also tackle the challenges facing those who have not been able to keep up with their rental payments and those who need further support.

A further surplus

In the period January-September 2017, the government recorded a surplus of €222.6 million. The Quarterly Accounts for General Government show that the government recorded a surplus of €154.4 million in the third quarter of 2017. A surplus of such magnitude shows beyond any doubt that Malta's public finances are indeed sustainable, with public expenditure keeping within normal revenue streams.

Total revenue stood at €1,159.2 million, an increase of €189.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2016. This significant increase in revenue was mainly driven by a combination of higher current taxes on income and wealth, the latter reflecting the dynamic performance of the labour market. Increases were also recorded in other revenue components, including taxes on production and imports, net social contributions receivable, market output and current transfers receivable.

Total expenditure in the third quarter of 2017 amounted to €1,004.8 million, an increase of €57.8 million compared to the same quarter of 2016. The main increase was registered in intermediate consumption. Other increases were recorded in compensation of employees and social benefits, noting also that the number of persons depending totally on social assistance has gone down but almost 50% of what it was four years ago.

Gozo's health sector

Local and international investment in the health sector was high on Parliament's agenda this week. It was a most welcome opportunity for me to give a factual account of what the 2013 Labour administration inherited with regard to health services in Gozo - including the third world situation at Gozo's general hospital. I was surprised that Opposition spokesmen from Gozo had the cheek to criticise our immediate remedial action and the multi-million investment through which this government is seeking to upgrade to best levels the whole sector across both islands.

I could not help questioning where all the Opposition MPs were when it came to the issue of healthcare in Gozo, while spending 25 years in government. I reminded them of the hundreds of parliamentary questions we tabled over the years to which we had brief or empty replies. I felt compelled to criticise the then PN-led administration for completely ignoring the sector in Gozo for so long and all of a sudden showing great concern, now that it is in Opposition.

In recalling that our immediate step was to introduce chemotherapy services to Gozo, which was said to be impossible by the PN health ministers, I noted that over 2,500 patients have benefitted since such indispensable treatment was introduced by the Labour Government. While giving a long list of new health services that have been introduced since 2013 in the island's general hospital, I conveyed my appreciation and gratitude for the medical care given by our hospital employees over the years prior to 2013, despite not having the resources.

Personal experiences

All through my speech during the parliamentary debate I spoke of the sad and painful experiences we Gozitans went through because the most basic services in Gozo were either not available or inadequate. I will never let the system go back to those humiliating levels again and therefore confirm my full support for Labour's plans to bring in the best investment deal to upgrade Gozo's health services to the highest level.

Yes, we want a new hospital with the best professional manpower and medical services. We are fully committed to ensuring that Gozitans enjoy the best healthcare they deserve. Through the huge foreign investment that Labour has attracted during its first term of office, we will avoid burdening the country with further debt, while securing free healthcare to Gozitans and job security for all workers in the health sector as stipulated in all related agreements. There is no turning back because we do not want Gozo to return to third-world healthcare services.

International Relations

Gozo is not only a unique destination for visitors, but also a place for feasible cooperation at international level. I insist that frequent courtesy calls by high-level diplomats to the Ministry are not merely ceremonial but should also provide us with an excellent opportunity to explore various initiatives for direct collaboration through diplomatic channels.

Since taking up office at the Gozo Ministry, such visits at ambassadorial level have been an occasion for exploring and discussing the island's potential for growth in various sectors. I have always believed in Gozo's potential and the resilient skills of my fellow Gozitans.

It was such a pleasure to welcome HE Chryssoula Karykopoulou-Vlavianou, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic. We discussed common interests and concerns and I was pleased that she is an admirer of Gozo and look forward to future meetings with a view to cooperating through Gozo's heritage and the cultural wealth of Greece.

Another welcome meeting at the Gozo Ministry this week was with HE the US Ambassador Kathleen Hill. Needless to say, among other areas of cooperation we discussed the highly-experienced US medical entity that will be fully involved in the Gozo General Hospital project.

I also met a delegation from Palermo City Council, where we discussed common challenges for both Gozo as an island region and for the regional capital of the biggest island in the Mediterranean.

 We also reviewed the growing number of Italian residents and businesses in Gozo, especially those from Sicily, and their integration in the island's community.

In my role as Gozo Minister, I want to be a driving agent to instil further trust in the skills and creativity of my fellow Gozitans and promote them with those visiting the island, and this will be my way forward.

A final note

Professional research has recently revealed that Gozo is the second best location, after Valletta, for filming - with 18 international films being shot here over the years. This should add further impetus and optimism to all concerned to preserve the island's unique scenery and cultural heritage.