Malta’s membership in the European Union opened up many opportunities for the services sector but some are yet untapped said Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech when speaking about the amendment of the Services in the internal market bill in parliament yesterday.
Mr Fenech said the consultation on the amendment of this law started a few years ago under the competitiveness ministry led by former Minister Censu Galea and former Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo. Its main aim is to assist the services sector to grow and simultaneously safeguard competitiveness.
He added that the Maltese economy is based on the services sector, which in turn reflects the value of its human resources and creates a myriad of opportunities. The EU membership served as an opportunity for businesses because the European market is one of the main export destinations nowadays.
The economy minister pointed out that the services directive does not apply to health, social, financial, gambling, transport and fiscal issues services. Other directives regulate all these sectors. He added that the European social model also forms part of this directive devised to protect people’s jobs.
Opposition spokesperson on finance and member on the public accounts committee, Charles Mangion spoke on the lack of stability brought about the fluctuation of energy tariffs in the past months. He added that for the consumers to purchase more, they must be reassured about the money in their pockets. Over 100,000 employees were affected because they work in the manufacturing or tourism industry. The government has the role to stabilise the situation brought about by external factors. Instead of working on the people’s purchasing power, the nationalist government shocked the market by increasing the energy tariffs, highlighted the shadow minister.
MP Edwin Vassallo said the amendments are a step towards a simplification of bureaucratic procedures that should assist individuals wishing to start a new business.
He called for the development permit procedures to go in line with business set-up procedures. He emphasised that people need peace of mind and shouldn’t be disheartened from entering a new business venture. The nationalist party made various changes in favour of business start-ups while hoping for further simplifications.
One must recognise how commercial activities thrive and Mr Vassallo reiterated the prime minister’s message towards a brighter future expressed in the after budget speech.
Mr Vassallo also spoke on the European charter for small businesses, which sets the main political values establishing the right climate that facilitates businesses.
He also emphasised education and training towards entrepreneurship.
The amendments were passed to second reading stage and a motion to appoint a select committee on medically assisted procreation and another on re-codification and consolidation of laws were passed.