The measures proposed in the government's pre-budget document are conducive to higher economic activity, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, which however reiterated its stand against windfall taxes.

It appeared that a number of objectives set forth in the official document are in line with the proposals submitted by the Chamber in July, the Chamber's director general Kevin Borg said.

It is the second show of support for the document unveiled by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi last Saturday, following the stand taken by the Malta Employers' Association.

The Chamber said it was taking note of four proposals mentioned in the document, which could come into effect within the next three years: proportional National Insurance payments for part-timers; reduction in departure tax; the tax treatment for spouses in family businesses, and fine-tuning income tax parameters to offer greater spending power to low and middle-income workers.

Moreover, the Chamber welcomed two other strategic documents published in conjunction with the pre-budget document and which are aimed at the enhancement of the country's competitiveness - the National Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation and the Draft Renewable Energy Policy for Malta.

On the other hand, the Chamber looks forward to the consultation process whereby it would elaborate on its recommendations on corporate taxation and windfall taxes, Mr Borg said.

The Chamber reiterated its categorical opposition to windfall taxes and other fiscal measures that contribute towards economic uncertainty and said it looked forward to a clear message from the government that these are not on its agenda.

When contacted, both the General Workers' Union's general secretary Tony Zarb and Union Haddiema Maghqudin boss Gejtu Vella said they would be commenting about the pre-budget document once they analyse it in detail.