I have recently been in Malta – from Thursday, 26 October to Tuesday, 31 October – for constituency week. Constituency weeks are an effective way for MEPs from all 25 member states to gauge the situation in their respective countries and keep in touch with their constituents.

My programme was filled with different activities that included discussions, social events and visits to various businesses. The feeling I got during this week is that Malta is changing for the better and we are reaping the fruit of our hard work. The industrial sector is finding that Malta’s accession to the EU has been a very positive move that is enabling entrepreneurs to look to the future with optimism and courage.

The deficit and insecurity the Nationalist Party in government inherited from the negligence of the Labour administration were the main difficulties that the country faced, but Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has managed to bring us back on the right track and now we can say we are savouring the success of much hard work.

We still have a long way to go but we are getting there at quite a fast rate. When one compares Malta’s economic stability two years after accession with that of Ireland – incidentally, one of Europe’s most advertised success stories – it is clear that our country has developed economically at a much faster rate. While controlling the deficit, we are also improving the economic situation and this is the way forward.

I met employers and employees from three factories during my time on the island. My first visit took me to the industrial estate in Bulebel, Zejtun, where I learnt about the work being done by Chaudron Company Ltd and Team Chaudron Portomaso. During my visit, I spoke to Charles Ciantar and his two children Aaron and Audrien, pilot and navigator for the team. Thanks to this team, the company is promoting the Maltese product abroad and as a result of its success during the P1 season, it now has the possibility of exporting its work. An Italian team has commissioned Chaudron Company Ltd to manufacture its boat.

My programme also took me to Ta’ Qali, where I visited the Grima family business, Bristow Potteries, a company that falls within the SME size and that is experiencing very positive growth, following Malta’s accession to the EU. Since joining the EU, the opportunities for small and medium businesses to export their products and train their employees and management have increased. Bristow Potteries is a story of success that clearly shows the EU offers vast possibilities to improve and be recognised.

The last budget brought initiatives that will empower small businesses such as Bristow Potteries. The government is planning to invest more than Lm1 million in areas where these businesses operate, open an incubation centre in Ta’ Qali for artisan students in and also improve the infrastructure and accessibility to these industrial zones .

Small and medium companies such as Bristow Potteries are proof that no matter the size, the Maltese product is of a high standard and can compete abroad with other foreign contenders.

I also visited the Marsovin winery, a landmark in our country’s industrial wine-making history. Nowadays, Marsovin are seeking to establish themselves in foreign markets by exporting their products abroad. The management at Marsovin was wise enough to prepare the company for the changes needed once Malta became a member of the EU.

This put Marsovin on the right track, because nowadays Marsovin is one of the major exporters in the food and beverage sector.

Since Malta joined the EU, opportunities for export have increased, not only in the European Union but also in other regions. The success of Marsovin, Bristow Potteries and Chaudron Company Ltd are just a few examples of the opportunities presented.

I also had the opportunity of sharing views directly with the general public during a discussion that was open for people from all strata of society. The optimism after the budget was evident. The positive measures taken in this year’s budget are boosting our economy. These measures put us on the right track to build a strong economy and to reach our targets for euro conversion in 2008. One must also mention that the tourism sector will get a boost from the agreement between government and low-cost airlines, which will provide tourists all year round.

These few days have been a showcase of our success in the EU. Everybody can see the fruits we are reaping from our accession to the EU. All sectors are improving, maybe not all at the same pace but, whether it be education, environment, health or investment, every sector is getting on track and getting the engines going.Together we can become the success story Dr Gonzi envisages. With the Nationalist Party policy for economic growth and our participation in EU affairs, we have a guarantee of being successful.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP

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