Euro business leaders told of Malta's Lisbon strategy

Malta's strategy to reach the EU's Lisbon targets was underscored by Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea yesterday.

The minister was addressing the European Business Summit in Brussels, attended by top European business leaders.

Mr Galea gave details of the country's national reform programme and listed numerous initiatives to be implemented until 2010 to reach the targets set by the EU for its member states.

Improving competitiveness was the main focus of Malta's programme, Mr Galea said, adding that this was the government's main priority as it will help the country respond effectively to the changing international economic situations.

The financial services sector was underlined as one of Malta's best practices so far, assuming a growing importance in the economy during the past decade.

The European Business Summit, now in its fourth edition, brought together around 1,500 participants including the top brass of Europe's foremost companies.