PM meets MCESD

The Prime Minister and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said this afternoon had a meeting with the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to discuss economic issues.

Speaking to the press before the meeting, Dr Gonzi said Malta was facing a wave of challenges but he insisted that the economy was well-prepared thanks to a number of reforms being proposed and implemented by the government, following discussions with the social partners. Among the challenges were those posed by rising oil and cereal prices and the need for sustainable development in all economic, environmental and social areas.

MCESD chairman Sonny Portelli called for more dialogue with the social partners and for decisions to be based on expert advice and research. He mentioned the rise in oil prices, inflation, the need for more productivity, as well as investment into alternative sources of energy.

Mr Portelli spoke about the need for flexsecurity – the balance between flexibility and competitiveness in the context of job security. He said that the economy needed to grow by more than four percent each year in order to remain competitive. He said the government’s rent reform proposal would be beneficial in the long-term but would affect different areas in various ways. He called for more discussions to take place.

The meeting was held at the Auberge de Castille.