Our economic performance continues to remain high on international surveys, despite a concerted attempt to tarnish the country’s reputation in European circles.

This week, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has placed Malta in joint first place for its macroeconomic stability in the 2018 index on competitiveness. Of the 140 countries reviewed in this year’s study, Malta managed to surpass a number of key economies including those of India, the Baltic States and Cyprus. It is indeed an excellent achievement that the smallest EU member state is declared by the WEF as one of the two most economically stable countries in the world. We are also proud to note that our institutions have improved by four points since 2012.

 

Competitiveness

This is a positive achievement, particularly in the light of the fact that the number of countries surveyed has increased from 135 to 140. The World Economic Forum says that factors such as workforce diversity, labour rights, e-government and disruptive businesses are the driving forces when it comes to competitiveness. Economy Minister Chris Cardona is right to attribute the result to controlled inflation, as well as a budget surplus and the government’s focus on human capital. Initiatives taken in the last years by Malta Enterprise have been constantly promoting entrepreneurship and technological sophistication.

The World Forum states that national economies need to be holistic in their approach to competitiveness rather than focusing on one particular factor. The Labour government has been investing in broader measures of competitiveness, including infrastructure and other areas of economic activity that permit sustainable growth and income in the future. We have been investing in technology and, contemporaneously, in digital skills in order to secure meaningful gains in productivity, fully aware that in order to increase competitiveness, no area can be neglected.

 The Budget for 2019. Tomorrow, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will announce the budget for the coming year, against a successful background in the rate of implementation of the 2018 budget. In the course of another transparency and accountability exercise, it was established that a total of 178 of the measures announced in the 2018 budget have been implemented. This rate of implementation is equivalent to 79 per cent, nearly six per cent higher than the implementation rate recorded between 2014 and 2017, apart from an additional 45 measures from previous budgets.

Over the past five years, a renewed public service across all Ministries and state agencies has implemented 1,250 measures, upgrading the country’s wellbeing in most sectors. This review is an exercise in public accountability and, in the run-up to tomorrow’s budget, it allows one to check what has been implemented out of the measures announced in the previous budget and what else needs to be planned.

Traditionally, people used to dread Budget Day, fearing additional taxes and price increases on almost all items and services and awaiting some mercies on the eve of a general election. The past five years have radically changed the old perception into positive expectations of better times. The country has progressively witnessed a steady growth in optimism through tangible steps that have created the new reality of participating in a prosperity with a purpose.

Tomorrow’s Budget will proceed in that direction, adding impetus to nurturing a mentality for quality. It will spread further its fairness to include many more who need specific support to catch up with the provisions of social justice and a fair distribution of the country’s social and economic well-being.

 

More EU funds for Gozo

European funds amounting to €8.3 are to be invested in projects to clean valleys and enhance the rural development of the Gozitan countryside, while improving the rain-water management system. The projects are co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and will be carried out by the Ministry for Gozo.

While announcing the two projects this week, together with Parliamentary Secretary Aaron Farrugia,  I specified that around 30 kilometres of rubble walls will be restored or rebuilt around the island. These walls are an important feature of Gozo’s rural landscape and, apart from their visual impact, they have considerable environmental importance when it comes to preventing soil erosion and also serve as a habitat for various species of plants. The work to be carried out will be complementary to other infrastructural projects and a water management programme for the conservation of water, thereby increasing water storage to help meet the needs of the agricultural sector in Gozo.

These projects will enable the cleaning of 12 valleys around the island, including those at Xlendi, Mġarr ix-Xini, Marsalforn and Wied il-Kbir in San Lawrenz. Once cleaned, these valleys will enable rainwater to pass through them and be collected in reservoirs and dams, rather than causing flooding in the surrounding areas, said Mr Farrugia.  All the work will be carried out in accordance with methods and criteria approved by the competent authorities in order to protect the flora and fauna that is typically found in these areas.

 

Work in progress

The Gozo Ministry is working hard to attract more European funds to address the island’s needs through new projects. Three EU-funded projects, namely the Xewkija Mill, the Gozo Museum and the Ulysses Grove jogging and cycling trail, are all progressing very well, and work has now begun on the Gozo Museum. The restoration of Xewkija Mill and the work on Ulysses Grove are both due to be completed at the beginning of next year.

These funds also mean the beginning of the implementation of the strategy for the regional development of Gozo and the new valley project, and are a huge boost towards carrying out the Eco-Gozo strategy.

Other major projects in hand include those in the healthcare sector. Apart from the considerable investment in the upgrading of Gozo General Hospital, the new Health Centre in Victoria – costing around €1.5 million and financed by funds from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Gozo – will be the only one of its kind in Gozo.

 

The social sector

The Gozo Ministry is also busy with other important initiatives in the social sector, particularly in the area of active ageing. I am very pleased to note that that Active Ageing Centres in Gozo, offering the elderly a better quality of life through several new services, have been a great success.

Following the inauguration of the night shelter in Xagħra, the sixth of such premises has been inaugurated this week in Munxar through an agreement between the Ministry for Gozo and the Parish of Munxar. It will offer a variety of activities in the Lifelong Learning Programme, including training in crafts, digital technology, religion and current events, as well as physical activities, to name but a few. Our thanks are due to Parish Priest Fr Michael Said and Munxar Mayor Mrs Sonya Abela.

This is all part of the Government’s Active Ageing initiative, launched three years ago, and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to continue implementing such measures for active ageing, providing the opportunity for increasing numbers of elderly people to enjoy their later years in the community.