Prime Minister Joseph Muscat held his first meeting with the new Chamber of Commerce Council at Castille, and said that restructuring pensions will be the next item on the agenda, stating that he has no doubt that there have been some interesting proposals made to the Commission responsible.

Dr Muscat highlighted that there will be no change in National Insurance contributions and that there will be no increase in retirement age however did not say what these proposals were.

The Prime Minister argued that the economy grew by 4% last year and kept the growth in the first quarter.

He stressed that this growth is due to the government taking decisions. "We will continue to take decisions in the most expedient and efficient manner possible".

Dr Muscat mentioned that government first began working on the energy sector, is now working on the health sector and highlighted that government will be tackling pensions next. "These areas were all part of the EU country specific recommendations," he said.

He argued that government must never stop working, even when the economy is doing well. While managing to increase the partecipation rate of women, the Prime Minister mentioned that this was not enough.

Dr Muscat also said that the time is ripe to introduce certain measures previously brought to the fore by the Chamber.

On their part, the Chamber mentioned that the Prime Minister has adressed the Chamber members twice each year, adding that this is a "good sign". They stressed that the Chamber is and will remain a-political.

The meeting then continued behind closed doors.