The 2008 Budget gives a sense of continuity to the 2007 Budget, in which the government is sustaining its policy of strengthening the economy, as well as meeting its EU obligations, columnist Manwel Micallef said.

Although people had greater expectations, the government succeeded in addressing several shortcomings especially those regarding social issues.

This budget speech has taken into account people who have never benefited from budget measures before. These measures also take into account the fact that the country’s economic growth is not being enjoyed by everyone.

Some measures show that government has begun to take into consideration certain aspects that are new to Malta, such as research and development and sports; however, the allocated funds are not enough to produce a marked effect, he said. There again, these sectors are still in their infancy in Malta.

All in all, this is a positive Budget that looks forward, in which government has been very cautious in order to prepare for future shocks.

Although the fact that this is the last budget before the next general election, this is certainly an election budget.