Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar today said that a total 70,000 inspections of businesses are conducted yearly, around six inspections daily.

He said that the government was reviewing how best to improve the way inspections are conducted.

He was speaking during the official launch of the consultation process on the White Paper on the reform of inspections conducted on businesses. Mr Cutajar said that the white paper is one of a series of measures to reduce excessive bureaucracy for businesses.

Research carried out in Croatia and the UK will be used to draw up regulations suitable for Malta, he explained.

Minister Helena Dalli said that during the Muesac core group meeting held earlier this morning, methods used by the European Parliament, the European Council and Member States to help prevent excessive bureaucracy were discussed.