Advantages of membership

Labour often argues that with Malta outside the EU we would be able to attract more foreign investors "because we can offer something different". One wonders what this "something different" is. Perhaps less regard for occupational health and safety standards? Or less concern about the environmental impact of industry?

On the other hand, there would be quite a few things, arising as a direct result of membership, that would attract foreign investors to Malta. One of them is that whatever the investor decides to produce is already in the EU as soon as it comes out of the assembly line. No hurdles, or obstacles, no quotas or levies. The product is to EU specifications and ready to be sold anywhere in the Union, from Spain to Finland, from Britain to Greece.

And as Malta would be benefitting from various trade agreements already entered into by the EU with other countries exporting to countries like Russia, the US and Switzerland it would be easier to export than is the case at present. The fact that these goods would have been produced in Malta, an EU country, would be the guarantee that they meet the Union's high standards.

As EU citizens Maltese workers would also be offered many opportunities to expand and improve their skills through various training projects. This would also be very attractive to potential investors who consider human resources to be a company's most important asset.

In addition to all this we would be assured that any investor would be mindful of our health, safety and environment. We want bona fide investors not robber baron capitalists attracted to the country by its lax attitude to the workers' welfare.