The Malta Chamber of Commerce has called on the government to address long-standing structural issues ahead of the 2025 budget. During a meeting with Prime Minister Robert Abela, Chamber President Chris Vassallo Cesareo stressed the urgency of tackling problems that are slowing down the country’s progress.

The Chamber outlined 12 key priorities for the budget, including:

Competitiveness

Fiscal Discipline

Utilities

Renewables

Traffic Congestion

Sustainable Tourism

Planning and Upkeep of Public Areas

Value-Added Employment

Third Country Nationals (TCNs)

Low Income Earners and Pensioners

Public Procurement

Proper Enforcement of Laws and Regulations

Chamber CEO Dr. Marthese Portelli highlighted the need for an economic shift from a labor-intensive model to one focused on high-value sectors. She warned that without such a shift, the country’s infrastructure and resources will continue to struggle.

They also highlighted key areas including :

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.

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.

In response, Prime Minister Abela acknowledged the concerns raised and pledged to consider the Chamber’s proposals. He emphasized the importance of reforms and public-private collaboration in creating a more resilient economy and improving quality of life.

The Chamber expects the 2025 budget to be a turning point for much-needed changes and called for more effective dialogue with the government and key stakeholders.

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Students at the Żebbuġ primary school participating in Skolasajf received copies of the third edition of We Are Children, Friends of Animals, a book aimed at fostering compassion and responsibility toward animals. The book, produced by the Office of the Animal Welfare Commissioner, contains poems and stories written by children, highlighting their sensitivity and love for animals.

During the event, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, and Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, emphasized the importance of both literacy and animal welfare education. Minister Grima underscored how reading supports a well-rounded education and is a key pillar in the National Strategy for Education.

Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said praised the children’s literary talents, noting how the book merges writing skills with awareness of animal rights. She thanked Commissioner Alison Bezzina and her team for their continued efforts in promoting animal welfare through initiatives like this.

The event highlighted the government’s ongoing mission to encourage children’s creativity while instilling values of kindness and care for animals.

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