Dr Zammit Dimech said the upward trend continued into 2004. “In fact, figures for January are up by Lm2.6 million to Lm16.8 million, an 18.3 per cent increase on 2002,” he said. Dr Zammit Dimech was speaking during a discussion meeting in Swieqi.

Environment Minister George Pullicino said that in recent years, government had been on a silent mission to implement all the structures necessary to get the best out of European Union membership.

Malta was one of the first countries to begin accepting applications for a total of Lm77 million in aid programmes according to the Common Agricultural Policy, he said, and up to last Friday, 2,600 applications had been received.

Social Solidarity and Family Minister Dolores Cristina said government believed in subsidies as was shown by the setting up of the local councils. She said councillors had become a point of reference in Maltese society and that ideas such as twinning projects broadened the horizons of everyone involved.

“Local councils form part of the safety net that helps those who are in need. We hear a lot about social inclusion and we are proud to say that Malta has a high rating in this, according to the World Economic Review,” she said.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Frendo and MP Robert Arrigo also took part in the meeting.