Those following the budget speech later today will realise that Finance Minister Clyde Caruana is this year carrying a red suitcase, instead of the traditional black. 

The briefcase utilised by Minister Caruana is a nod to Malta’s British past and displays the Republic of Malta’s coat of arms. It has two inscriptions; on the front side, ‘Ministru tal-Finanzi’ and a verse from the Maltese national anthem, ‘Saħħa l-ħaddiem’, on the backside.   

The case weighs 2.5kgs, and such a historical symbol can be found in a number of Commonwealth countries such as Singapore. The case will be used exclusively on Budget Day.  

There is a convention that a departing Finance Minister is given the Budget briefcase used during his tenure as a token of appreciation, which is why Minister Caruana used his private funds for such a purchase.