Following the credit rating upgrades by Standard and Poor's and Fitch, another credit rating agency, DBRS, has affirmed Malta's credit rating at A while upgrading the trend on the ratings to positive, government said in a press statement.

Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna comments that: "Four years ago, we had promised to work on upgrading Malta's credit rating which would make our country more attractive to foreign investors. In contrast with the past deteriorating state of public finances with ballooning deficit and debt ratios, we directed our efforts to addressing such issues, bringing about an upgrade to Malta's rating, and hence honouring our promise."

"DBRS acknowledges that, following a fiscal consolidation process since 2013, Malta's fiscal outturns came in better than expected in 2016 where decades of fiscal deficits were turned into surpluses. The credit rating agency also noted that in 2016, the Government debt ratio, which was already 12 percentage points lower than its 2011 peak, fell below 60% of the GDP. DBRS attributes the improvement in public finances to '...strong revenues as well as moderation in expenditure, and supported by a strengthened fiscal framework.'"

The report further notes how the fiscal over-performance meant that Malta complied with the budget balance rule, the debt rule, and the expenditure benchmark of the EU Stability and Growth Pact in 2016, the statement read.

 DBRS expects that "The important improvement in the fiscal position over the past three years is likely to be sustained. A sound budget position, together with solid growth, is expected to lead to the further reduction in the public debt ratio."

Government's efforts to address structural and fiscal challenges including the restructuring of Enemalta and Air Malta,and measures to address tax evasion and informality were also noted by DBRS, the statement read.

"According to the credit rating agency, the positive trend also reflects the robust growth recorded by the Maltese economy in recent years as well as its solid external position. On the latter, DBRS further notes that although the import content of investment remains high, this has declined, and that the current account surplus is supported by sizable services exports."