Whilst delivering his speech to the constituted bodies at the end of the year greetings, the Prime Minister delivered some very strong words of encouragement and vision. Whilst acknowledging the huge waves battering the world economies, and thus the obstacles we face in the coming months, Dr Gonzi reiterated his deep sense of conviction in the qualities of the Maltese which will help us make it through.
His speech reminded me of a Chinese proverb which says that when a strong wind blows, one can choose between two approaches. Either to build a high and strong wall which will protect one’s belongings from harm and provide shelter; Otherwise, one can opt to build a windmill which takes advantage of the alternatively unwanted situation, and gain profit out of it.
This is precisely my belief and yearning for the new year. In this time of reckoning, we must take advantage of the situation more than ever. There is no denying the financial storm that is beating around us, and that the world economies are suffering a great deal of damage in an unprecedented manner, but it is also a fact that when united we always did overcome any adverse circumstance we faced. We have to be cautious yet we need to face the global situation with trust and optimism. In these circumstances, we are still attracting foreign investment, and registering substantial growth in the financial services sector, thanks to the reputation for seriousness we have cultured in the relevant circles. Our level of employment is still on the rise, and one the highest levels in the last few years. No reason for complacency but motive to highten our resolve to change deftly and adapt.
As the Prime Minister said during his speech in Castille, we should look at the global situation as an extra incentive that will drive us to achieve the 2015 vision even faster. This vision which encourages us to focus on achieving excellence in seven particular sectors, is the best way forward to not only protect what we have, but also develop and sustain it.
The small size of our country coupled with our particular reality can be our cutting edge over the others in achieving our goals faster. We can truly be better than others and achieve excellence in the sectors of Financial Services, Technology, Tourism, Value Added Manufacture, Health and Education as well as Gozo. Our diminutive size here becomes the wind blowing on the wind-mill, which allows us to address situations faster than others, and with more flexibility.
2008 showed us how truly Malta is part of a globalised world, and how necessary it is to plan in the long term. The year we just concluded showed us how important it is to have a clear vision for a future, and the will to succeed in it. Looking at the collapse of economies that shunned the euro, like Iceland and Hungary, should make us realise not only our wisdom in adopting it but also make us reflect that we could have been in their situation were it not for Dr Gonzi’s strong leadership in the last year.
Best wishes for a prosperous New Year to the Editor of this paper, all the staff, and the readers. A new year not for building walls but for windmills to propel us forward.