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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