The President of the European Parliament and Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola stressed how Malta must move beyond rhetoric but have a strategic direction.

“One that is serious, deliverable, and implementable within an established timeframe,” she stated.

Addressing the annual EY Malta Future Realised Conference, President Metsola said that the country must have the foresight that the country requires, rather than just quick-fix solutions.

“The reality is simple: we need to match our ambitions with political will. That means making the right long-term infrastructural investments, including in digital and technological fields. We must move from rhetoric to getting things done. We need politicians to be the change makers, rather than the headline grabbers.”

She said that June’s European elections show that strengthening the economy is the number one concern of people around Europe, with Malta being no exception.

Speaking about making Europe more competitive, President Metsola said that “it is as much about economic prosperity as it is about creating opportunities for our people. It is about jobs, about dignity, security, and equality.”

Metsola said the plan must incorporate every sector to ensure the long-term structural change that Malta and Gozo need. “Families, industry, entrepreneurs must all feel part of the transformation we need.”

Reducing excessive bureaucracy, making funding more accessible, and stimulating economic growth are the solutions to make the country’s programme deliverable. “It must create the right conditions and frameworks for our start-ups and SMEs to scale-up and grow. SMEs create jobs, generate wealth, drive innovation, and contribute to the well-being of our communities.”

Metsola continued by saying that the programme cannot work if it is not implementable. “The beauty of Malta’s membership to the European Union is precisely that we are connected to a continent of endless possibilities. But to attract investment and register economic growth, we also need a strong business climate.”

“This is why when we talk about our values we are not talking about some lofty ideas tucked away in an old and dusty bookshelf, but rather, what gives a country stability, predictability and what makes it more attractive to global capital.”

She also said that local entrepreneurs should be focusing on creating the best products, the best ideas. “To have trust in the law. To plan, to innovate and to build something that lasts. And that is why if we need to make the necessary changes, by establishing clear, consistent rules, we cannot be afraid of reform. I want our country to be a place where people want to live, work, and invest. Like it should be.”

She underlined the need for the country to invest in its people, focusing on constant reskilling of people. “Children will need to study – then work – then re-train – then work again – learn something new – and work somewhere different – they need to navigate job transition, and job progression through upskilling and reskilling.

“The world is changing, and we need to change with it.”

She stated how Malta must have a system that educates children, starting from a very young age; “a system that encourages them to learn and practice new skills, that upskills our young people and protects our workers in the face of a changing economy. Schools, post-secondary institutions, universities today must be more than places of learning,” said Metsola, stating that schools need to be places of excellence.

Outlining a vision for the future of Malta’s education system, Metsola pointed out that schools need to become business incubators. “An environment where experimentation thrives. We need to liberate the potential of our talented young people, particularly those in the tech sector. These are the innovators of today and tomorrow. The creators of new apps, the founders of new companies, the disruptors of traditional industries. And they can do it with astonishing speed – if we give them the tools and the space to succeed.”

Metsola concluded that this is how Malta can move forward, adding, “that is how we build a future where no one is left behind. A future where Malta doesn’t just keep up with Europe, but leads.”

What do you make of her address?