Now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag and this year's budget proposals are public knowledge, it's time to analyse what they mean for us, and how they'll come to shape our society in the long term.

It's clear that the 2020 budget is the work of a well-adjusted administration with a clear vision for Malta's future: the proposals are sensible, but they push the envelope when it comes to sustainability, innovation, and social welfare. Just as the Prime Minister immediately quashed any rumours of his early departure from Castille, this budget confirms Government's commitment to its electoral promises and core values.

This budget is also far-sighted and intuitive when it comes to Malta's position in an international context. Economists worldwide are predicting a looming recession; in response, Government is further diversifying our economy to make it capable of resisting international pressure. Proposals like the setting up of an Artificial Innovation Hub and an Interactive Business Portal reveal that Government isn't resting on its laurels when it comes to economic growth; on the contrary, it is actively seeking new avenues of development.

While gaming, for instance, forms a considerable chunk of our present GDP, Government is already investing in the next big thing - e-sports. This is being done through incentives to attract e-sport companies to develop games in Malta, and investing in educational reforms to include video games in our education system.

Education is crucial in this exercise. The changes we are witnessing in our labour market will need our workforce to be upskilled and reskilled to cater for the new jobs which will be created through the digitisation of our jobs. The setting up of an Industry Education Hub will play a central role in ensuring that the gap between the demand and supply of skills is pre-emptively addressed.

The digital aspect of this budget cannot be underestimated. Technology is not just the future; it is our present, and it affects every aspect of our lives. Investing not just our resources, but our time in regulating an entirely new sector in such a way that it benefits our wellbeing first and foremost, will guarantee a stable economy and most importantly, a thriving society.

This is an issue which I have prioritised in my work in the European Parliament. The digitisation of our world brings with it a myriad of advantages and opportunities, but we urgently need to regulate it - even at Union level. We need common laws and practices to safeguard workers in the shift towards an automated gig economy, for instance, just as we need to regulate the protection of our data online.

Digitisation is also at the heart of another crucial issue addressed by this year's budget: our fight against climate change. Experts predict that the shift towards a digital economy will be a game-changer in this field, since it will result in a considerable decrease in emissions, allowing us to reach our carbon neutrality goals. This, coupled with the elimination of single-use plastics as of January 2021, is a considerable environmental step forward.

Of course, the most basic way of fighting climate change is to sustain and develop our natural environment. The creation of more green spaces in our urban zones, an issue which I campaigned for this past year, will create pockets of clean air, and peaceful zones in our more congested cities and towns. The creation of Ta' Qali's National Park will also further cement our commitment to a thriving environment for us all to enjoy.

In addressing our environmental issues, this budget recognises that while our roads are key to mobility, we can - and should - invest in alternative forms of infrastructure, which are less harmful to our environment and relieve our roads of considerable pressure. Connecting coastal towns and cities by means of sea transport is the obvious next step for a country that is both environmentally conscious and seeks to make everyone's lives easier.

Likewise, the extension of free public transport to persons aged 75 years up is a measure that is both social, infrastructural, and environmental. Public transport has long been identified as a key player for green transport, and the removal of fares will surely render it accessible to a wider audience.

It is this brand of visionary ingenuity that sets this Government apart from those preceding it, and if this budget is anything to go by, the future looks bright for our country.