Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to reduce utility tariffs by 25% for households from March next year and for industry in 2015 with the full conversion of the Delimara power station to gas-fuel from the current operation of heavy fuel oil.

He was speaking during a visit at Playmobil, Hal Far this morning after being given a tour by the company's chief operations officer Matthias Fauser. Dr Muscat was accompanied by Economy Minister Chris Cardona.

Mr Fauser remarked that the toy manufacturing firm had closed all its order books, describing this year as an exceptionally good year.

He said that the company had invested a record 15 million euros in order to secure the company’s future and remain competitive.

He welcomed the government’s plans to reduce energy tariffs for industry by 25%.

Mr Frauser described the company’s relations with the government as “on the right track” and on the way to reaching a “common understanding”, lauding Minister Cardona for his “good response”.

Dr Muscat emphasised that today’s youth needed to acknowledge the fact that the manufacturing sector offered career prospects as well.

"It's not just about IT and financial services, manfacturing is vital," Dr Muscat stressed.

He said that there was a lack of young people taking up manufacturing-related jobs, "manufacturing being an essential part of Malta’s economy".

He said that the government was not here to take credit for the successes of firms but to facilitate matters and ensure continuity.