Though most people on the island are presently either taking their holidays or else making their final arrangements towards this end, last Saturday, after well thought out and planned preparation, the Prime Minister, during a press conference, distributed a 2006-2010 pre-budget document which purports and aims at bringing about a better quality of life.

The document in itself is light reading – it is not written in heavy jargon. However, if one starts to analyse the contents, there seems to be so much between the lines that I have found it better to read it in stages.

It definitely gives food for thought during the summer evenings when one can go though the different proposals. Anyone who, in the past, may have said that the government is not dynamic and lacks concrete ideas has received a substantial setback. The government’s mission statement is that in the future, Malta is to have a dynamic, high-value-added economy, founded on competence, skills and excellence and capable of sustaining a high standard of living for everyone.

If we believe in this statement, and are able to convert it into practice, we have to hand the formula for a success story which will, in the end, benefit the country in general, our children and ourselves.

It all boils down to the fact that there is a forward-looking agenda which reaffirms all the good things that we have attained so far, which may leave by the wayside all that is non-productive and has no future in sight; and that at the same time concentrates on those niches and sectors which are to prove themselves to be the key for future economic success. Besides all this, one needs the will power to go forward.

Economic success will initially mean more jobs for one and all. It will also be reflect in the creation of new avenues.

There will not be any searching for rainbows and trails, as these only happen in The Wizard of Oz, but it will be a soul-searching exercise which will concretely contribute towards the realisation of the various niches which are realistically attainable.

After an analysis of the present situation, the documents look at the budgetary thrusts which are to be addressed in the 2006 budget in support of a Vision of Excellence.

In order to attain its mission for the assurance of a stable macro-economic environment, capable of fostering sustainable economic growth, increased and better employment opportunities, and the sustainability of the social responsibilities, various economic and social fundamental points are being addressed. These include;-

• Regaining fiscal flexibility would act as an economic spur to long-term economic growth and higher standards of living.

• Repositioning the capital and human resources of the public sector to efficiently and effectively contribute to better service delivery and economic growth.

• Focusing the government’s role in the economy on the regulatory aspect, facilitating rather than participating as an operator in economic activities.

• Accelerating the necessary structural reforms in the supply side of the economy by improving flexibilities in the labour, product/services and capital markets, thereby increasing productivity.

• Guaranteeing high quality life-long education and training opportunities for all, leading to the highest possible personal development and the fostering of a collective, knowledge-based culture that will ultimately improve our country’s competitive edge.

• Upgrading our country’s environment and infrastructure in order to ensure an improved quality of life through sustainable development and the regeneration of our heritage.

• Providing an equitable safety net that removes the risk of poverty and realises the goal of social inclusion, with benefits paid and appropriate support provided to those who are genuinely in need.

These points are highly ambitious and will not materialise easily. However, if we do not set ourselves the highest of goals, those that we attain will be much lower. We believe in proposing the attainable – not easy but “do-able”.

However, it will require the energies, work and determination of one and all.

These requirements are expected of the people as much as continuous work is expected from the government, the ministries, the parliamentary secretaries and all those involved in the administration of the nation.

This is not being requested to improve the Nationalist Government or to perpetuate our stay in government.

It is being requested because we believe that this is the way forward for our country.

Our country believes in becoming and being the best. We have the mental resources and the potential to acquire this. If we all do our bit, this is attainable within the next few years.

These years of opportunity are wide open before us, with a potential market within the European Union which is much wider than the one available to us prior to May 2004. In the meantime we cannot let up.

The summer heat is on and so is that in this field of high competition.

If this nation is seeking excellence, I am sure that other countries are also trying to arrive at this situation.

The various social partners are all looking favourably at this document. But there is much more to it than just going through the text.

This is the way forward. Let’s go for it. Let’s get down to business.

Tony Abela is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister