Speaking at Qrendi Nationalist Party club, Dr Gonzi said that for 40 years the shipyards had depended on financing from the government – money collected from taxes.

The workers have therefore always worked for a company that was not doing well. The Nationalist party decided to change this, said Prime Minister Gonzi. It is a long process, but eventually things will change.

The government is working towards a restructuring of the shipyards over a seven-year plan that will bring the company to break-even point.

“This is the third year of the process and every month, figures are prepared to count the losses,” explained Dr Gonzi. The latest figures show that the shipyards actually lost Lm1 million less than had been predicted.

“This shows a move in the right direction. The plan is working, it is only a matter of time and effort,” he said.

The Prime Minister encouraged the workers to fight for this change since it will result in a better workplace for them and greater job satisfaction.

Dr Gonzi said the new contracts recently won by the shipyards show the competitive nature of the company and they also help raise its profile.

“Many are those who paint a bleak picture of Malta,” said Dr Gonzi. “In response to this attitude, the PN is determined to make Malta a success because I am proud of it and have faith in its potential.”

The privatisation of the Freeport will also be a big step towards this goal. Hopefully, more jobs will be created and the economy will be kick-started. Dr Gonzi went on to mention the 11 per cent fall in the number registering for work in the first eight months of the year.

The construction industry is a good yardstick with which to measure the success of the economy and there had been a 30 per cent increase in the number of contracts signed this year. Dr Gonzi also noted that the public spent an additional Lm183 million on property compared to last year.

The Prime Minister highlighted the 26 per cent increase in people travelling to Gozo. “These are all positive indicators that the economy is on the rise,” he said.

Dr Gonzi also explained that certain elements that affect Malta are out of the government’s control. One such example is the doubling of the price of oil. “This affects very important sectors and companies in Malta, including Enemalta and Air Malta,” he said.

The government is doing its best not to let the price increase leak down and affect the consumer, but the Prime Minister explained that if the price of oil continues to rise, the government will have to take measures to try and cope.

Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett spoke of the new bus routes to begin today. He said control and discipline are needed for the public transport system to improve. The drivers must discipline themselves and the authorities must enforce this discipline, he said.

Mr Mugliett mentioned that studies will soon begin to find ways of making the public transport service modern, sustainable and attractive.