1. Competitiveness
2. Fiscal Discipline
3. Utilities
4. Renewables
5. Traffic Congestion
6. Sustainable Tourism
7. Planning and Upkeep of Public Areas
8. Value-Added Employment
9. Third Country Nationals (TCNs)
10. Low Income Earners and Pensioners
11. Public Procurement
12. Proper Enforcement of Laws and Regulations

“The country’s economy needs to change its direction – from a labour-intensive economy to one which is based on high-value added,” it wrote.

Malta Chamber CEO Marthese Portelli described this shift as essential to enhance the quality of Malta’s service while reducing the strain on the country’s infrastructure, “which is now clearly at a breaking point”.

Besides looking to the future, the chamber stressed the importance of addressing government failures that “compromised Malta’s security, stability and international reputation”.

These are the areas that require “urgent interventions and possible solutions”, the chamber wrote.

• Good governance across the board and carrying out the required reforms, including the public procurement reform
• Planning well the necessary investment required to enhance Malta’s productivity and competitiveness
• Rationalising public procurement to avoid unnecessary expenditure and to ensure that all public spending gives good return on investment (R&I)
• Simplification of business processes and making better use of technology across government agencies, authorities, and departments, to improve operational efficiency, reduce unnecessary costs and delays for businesses, as well as to ensure better enforcement
• The necessary and speedy investment to ensure a stable and adequate supply of electricity, water and sewage services that meet the demand
• Finetuning measures to encourage more businesses to adopt green technologies, offering schemes and tariffs that provide a better return on investment than the current ones
• Implementation of a number of measures aimed at addressing Malta’s traffic congestion rather than merely expanding road networks or adopting sporadic measures which in the absence of others end up futile
• Urban planning issues and the importance of embarking on a wider planning reform to ensure a holistic approach which is coherent and respects aesthetics, as opposed to pick-and-choose policy approaches
• The upkeep of public spaces, which should be a priority to enhance the well-being of residents and the country’s attractiveness to tourists.
• Addressing the human resource issue and moving towards more value-added employment.

Abela responded to the proposals and acknowledged the significance of the above concerns, further expressing commitment to considering the chamber’s proposals in the formulation of the upcoming budget that will be released next month.

“He affirmed the government’s intention to foster a more resilient economy, while also ensuring a fair level playing field for business and a good quality of life for all citizens. The Prime Minister highlighted the need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to drive the necessary reforms and achieve sustainable development.”

Abela was accompanied by Minister Ian Borg, Minister Clyde Caruana, Minister Miriam Dalli, Minister Silvio Schembri, Minister Chris Bonnett, Minister Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, MP Cressida Galea and OPM Chief of Staff Col. Mark Mallia.

Do you agree with any of the chamber’s suggestions?