Last Tuesday, the government launched the second phase of the consultation process of the National Reform Programme that is aimed to address Malta’s competitiveness and hopefully bring it in line with the Lisbon strategy.

So far, such consultation has involved only ministries, public sector organisations and members of the civil society. The debate has now been opened to the public until 23 September, following which the government’s plans on the matter will be finalised.

The Lisbon strategy is aimed to enable Europe to have the most dynamic and competitive economy in the world. As Europe moves along, Malta must go along with it.

Competitiveness is an abstract term and it is not easily understood. It is not like a road that, over time, visibly becomes filled with pot-holes and badly needs resurfacing, as more and more drivers start complaining.

But, like that pot-holed road, which is given a layer of tarmac or is re-built, competitiveness must be tackled in such a way as to enable the country to keep up with developments elsewhere. We cannot allow the “competitiveness road” to be full of pot-holes or to be one which does not have a smooth surface.

Competitiveness is not seen, but it is felt, especially if it is weak. It is like a daily examination – and we all know what it means to fail. Malta relies on its human resources to compete well, and we must therefore give ourselves the chance to do so and must avoid anything that would be tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot.

The concept is even more important because it entails collaboration and a willingness to perform on the part of everyone. Each and every Maltese has his or her little bit to do to make the country better and enable it to compete well with others.

Unless there is this collective effort, there is a risk that Malta will lag behind. And by “collective effort” we mean that the government and constituted bodies must work hand in hand to draw up and implement plans on how to make Malta more competitive, while every individual must play his or her part, especially at the workplace, to make it happen.

The 65-page reform document that was launched by Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea earlier this week is based on five main areas – sustainability of public finances, competitiveness, employment, education and the environment. These separate sectors are linked by a common chain – because we need to work harder in all of them to make the country better.

During the press conference, Management Efficiency Unit chief executive officer John Aquilina went into great detail as to what the government intends to deal with in the five priority areas mentioned.

What stood out was Minister Galea’s statement that the plan aims for full employment, a comment that will no doubt be used by the opposition and other detractors every time the National Statistics Office publishes unemployment figures.

Minister Galea would be the first to admit that eradicating unemployment is a utopia. But, on the other hand, it is better to aim for the best. To speak of exams again, one always aims to get 100 out of 100, but would still be happy with a 90 or 95.

Still, a greater effort must be made to provide more employment opportunities, particularly for the younger generations and for those who unfortunately end up without a job when nearing retirement age and find it more difficult to get work.

These are the two “generations” on which there should be a bigger focus. The enthusiasm and energy of the young and the experience and knowledge of 50-year-olds should not be lost to our economy.