Prime Minister Robert Abela on Wednesday announced a series of new electoral pledges aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and reducing bureaucracy for businesses during a Labour Party event.

Addressing supporters, Abela outlined three key proposals focused on fostering entrepreneurship among youths and modernising business infrastructure in Malta.

The first initiative builds on the existing “Intrapriża 16” scheme, which enables young people aged between 16 and 18 to set up their first business within a regulated and safeguarded framework. Abela announced that this will be strengthened through a new mentorship programme involving local entrepreneurs, giving youths practical guidance and skills to grow their ventures.

The second proposal targets start-ups in their early stages. Acknowledging the challenges faced by young innovators, Abela said that a future Labour government would provide free legal assistance to youths launching start-ups. In addition, these businesses would be exempt from fees imposed by the Malta Business Registry during their first five years of operation.

The third measure focuses on digital transformation and administrative efficiency. Abela highlighted ongoing investment in technological infrastructure, including the high-performance computing system at the Di-Hub in Mrieħel, and announced the creation of a “National Business Wallet.” This digital platform would allow businesses to store documents, licences, and permits in one secure place.

The proposed system would complement the Central Data Repository, enabling businesses to submit data once, with reuse subject to consent and secure verification. According to Abela, the National Business Wallet would streamline access to information, cut down on bureaucracy, and accelerate administrative processes.

During the event, Abela reiterated allegations that the individual behind the Nationalist Party proposal for a Mediterranean fuel station is “the biggest fuel smuggler in the country.” He argued that this is the reason the PN has not made its presentation on the proposal public. However, the PN has firmly rejected the Prime Minister’s claims.

Abela was accompanied on stage by Steven Ellul, a young entrepreneur who co-created an app designed to help users monitor the nutritional value of food products according to their personal goals. Abela said that, if the Labour Party is re-elected to government, the app would be incorporated into a national strategy aimed at tackling obesity from an early age.

Speaking more generally, Abela said that Malta has shown strong economic resilience in the face of recent challenges and argued that the country continues to maintain an attractive investment environment.

Looking ahead to May 30, Abela characterised the upcoming decision as a choice between putting recent economic gains at risk or continuing with the implementation of the government’s “Int Malta” manifesto. He insisted that his government had demonstrated credibility and competence, noting that it had managed crises effectively in the past and was still well-positioned to handle future challenges.

Also addressing the crowd, Omar Rababah, a prospective Labour candidate and social worker, said that the past few days had been “difficult” for him and his family after he was subjected to a wave of xenophobic abuse following his announcement that he intended to stand in the general election.

Rababah has been the subject of racial insults and abuse ever since he shared that Prime Minister Abela had approached him to contest for the next election with the Labour Party.

“I admit these days have been difficult for me and my family. We’ve gone through everything. We are trying to get through these days as best we can,” he said. “It feels like in the last five days I’ve lived ten years.”

Rababah also reflected on his personal background and upbringing in Malta. “I was born in Malta, to a Maltese mother,” he added, highlighting his long-standing ties to the country.

He said that his nomination “is in the drawer” and that he could choose not to contest – a suggestion prompted by chants of “contest, contest” from the crowd.

“I will be submitting my nomination, and if I am accepted, I will continue to contribute to this great team,” he said.