Urging Land Reclamation, PL MP Warns Of ‘Complete Collapse’ If Economic Growth Cycle Halted
Labour MP Leo Debattista has urged the government to embark on land reclamation projects to increase Malta’s physical size and keep the economic growth momentum going, warning the economy risks “total collapse” otherwise.
“If we want to keep sustaining all these tourists who are visiting Malta, we must discuss land reclamation,” Debattista said during a panel discussion on ONE TV’s Paperscan yesterday, citing the likes of Monaco, Hong Kong and Singapore as international examples.
“I think we need to create more space because if we think that we’re going to stop this cycle, everything will automatically halt. I don’t want this to happen because everything will collapse otherwise.”
Debattista also played down suggestions that Malta should impose tourist caps, arguing that the country should focus on increasing its carrying capacity rather than imposing limits.
Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia has pledged large land reclamation projects within this legislature
“Has the time come for us to ‘choose’ what kind of tourists we attract? I don’t think we can do that. You can advertise Malta as a destination to tourists of a certain level but we can’t close our doors to tourists like myself who can’t afford that much.”
“What is the limit [of tourists]? I don’t think we have a limit.”
Last month, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugia pledged that Malta will witness large land reclamation projects within this legislature.
He also announced he is working on a policy which will determine how businesses can reclaim small amounts of land from the sea, citing the new AquaLuna lido in Gżira as an example of a successful land reclamation project.
Left: PL MP Deo Debattista on ONE TV’s Paperscan last Sunday, Right: Singapore’s Changi Airport, which was built mainly on reclaimed land
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