Last week I formed the ‘Integrated Maritime National Strategy Committee’. Its main aim is to setup a sustainable strategy for Government’s vision and goals in this critical area. The committee will be managing marine and maritime related activities by adopting an integrated approach across maritime related policies, governance structure and maritime related activities. This integrated approach will fully exploit the potential of Malta’s marine and maritime sector creating maritime related quality jobs and further economic growth.
The Committee’s mandate is to develop, monitor and evaluate the implementation process of the National Integrated Maritime Policy and will be able to support my office in developing the necessary structures that will support the Malta’s Blue Economy vision. Various facets fall within the Integrated Maritime Policy framework, including: shipping, passenger ferry services, cargo handling fisheries, aquaculture, coastal environmental protection, ship repair, port ancillary services, marine renewable energies, coastal, cruise and maritime tourism, yachting and marinas, offshore oil, blue biotechnology are all components of the blue economy. These sectors are surely inter-dependent and adopting an Integrated Maritime Policy approach will further strengthen the sustainable development of Malta’s coastal areas and unleash the potential of Malta’s marine and maritime economy for growth and job creation.
All appointed persons are senior representatives responsible for the relevant marine and maritime sectors, which are spread across a number of government departments and authorities. Recognising the need for better coordination between the different sectors and the under-utilisation of our sea potential, the committee will seek to develop the National Integrated Maritime Policy that will provide a more coherent approach to maritime issues, and increase coordination between different policy areas. Simultaneously, the committee will serve as an advisory board for the my office while dealing with various issues directly linked with the marine and maritime sector covering cross-sectorial policies, or issues that require the coordination effort of different sectors and relevant stakeholders.
Malta has always placed high on its agenda the Blue Economy. In fact, Malta expressed the opinion that this initiative should be the flagship initiative within the Directorate General for the Maritime Affairs until 2020. The recent initiatives taken up by the European Commission have given the political impetus to work both at EU and national policymaking levels in order to further stimulate growth within this area, with particular focus on the competitiveness of the marine and maritime sector. The adaptation of the integrated maritime policy for Malta will provide new momentum for growth in the marine and maritime sectors and would aim towards ensuring that all key players work together in an efficient and effective manner. There is an urgent need to instil a culture of integrated actions and integrated policy development, which must become the norm.
The first task of this committee will be to identify the main themes and issues that affect directly our country in this sector and compile a consultation document. A series of consultation sessions will be held with different entities and stakeholders in the marine and maritime sector. All recommendations will be discussed amongst the committee and a Policy document will be complied and presented to Cabinet for final approval.
The Government’s message is clear. We cannot delay this process further and we need to work together and holistically in order to reach our targets. At a European Level, within the framework of the Integrated Maritime Policy, there is agreement that countries are to embark on realistic and more effective projects which ensure that the goals and objectives are achieved, projects that are pragmatic and realistic and that take into account the multifaceted challenges that are rapidly changing the marine and maritime industry. In this context, the Government will do its utmost at Council level to ensure that such views are also taken into consideration. It is only in this way that we can aim to adopt political, social and economic priorities that are based on broad social consensus.
On meeting my EU counterparts on different official occasions, I have insisted that the EU needs to adopt realistic, effective and sustainable policies without unduly over-burdening the respective industries. Europe’s activities on the oceans and seas should take place in line with the relevant international conventions.
There are a number of priorities that one has to set in order to provide the required structure and to support Malta’s blue economy. To mention a few, this administration believes that additional emphasis is needed to provide the necessary foundations; the governance structure should be strengthened through policies and legal framework that provide legal certainty for private investment; a clear integrated national policy direction covering both the short and long term perspectives needs to be ensured. These will reflect the Limassol Declaration that promises a renewed effort in the integration of Maritime and Marine efforts with a view to increase sustainable growth in the Blue Economy while ensuring the health of seas and oceans.
In addition,as a Government we believe that a skilled work force, effective infrastructure and the participation of the private sector need to be ascertained. In effect the National Integrated Maritime Strategy Committee will be paramount in spearheading ideas and initiatives to support Blue Economy policies for Malta to truly become a Maritime Hub.
During the last European Maritime Day held in Malta, Commissioner Maria Damanaki, the European Commissioner responsible for Maritime Affairs and Fishers, emphasised the importance that the Integrated Maritime Policy is the new way of managing the sea. Through this tool, policy areas such as energy, transport, tourism, environment, research, home affairs and fisheries will be coordinated in a more holistic manner.
The new administration believes that stakeholders play a vital role in policy development and their contributions within this committee will constitute a valuable resource for building a sound integrated maritime policy framework. This engagement of stakeholders provides opportunities to further align policies and practices with societal needs and expectations, helping to drive a long-term sustainable Blue Growth economy.
The Hon Dr Edward Zammit Lewis is Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth [email protected]