An expanding economy was creating wealth and the government was introducing initiatives to improve the quality of life, Acting Prime Minister Louis Galea told a reception at Zebbug on Tuesday evening. This was possible because the government had a social conscience and its economic policies were fruitful.

The government was working internationally to attract quality investment from abroad and this was being achieved through, for instance, the visit to Algeria by the President of Malta, and to Dubai by the Prime Minister. The President’s delegation included 25 Maltese businessmen.

The Dubai visit was important not only because the Prime Minister had unveiled a model of SmartCity Malta but also because Malta was finding its place internationally among countries which were attracting quality investment.

Dr Galea said the government last year attracted Lm575 million worth of investment from abroad, compared to the Lm19 million drawn by Alfred Sant’s government in 1997. The Grand Harbour regeneration plan, he added, was an example of plans the government had to continue creating employment and make Malta a centre of excellence in various sectors by 2015.