The Malta Chamber of Commerce said today that it agreed with the Prime Minister’s comments that Malta has emerged from recession, but it was not yet out of the woods.

In proposals to the government ahead of the Budget, the Chamber said that no unsustainable measures should be announced. Instead, the government should take active measures to bring its financial house in order and to consolidate Malta's competitiveness by taking remedial measures to rectify bottlenecks to growth, and other proactive measures to kick start traditional sectors and other emerging ones.

The Chamber said it has made 31 practical recommendations in terms of Utility Costs, COLA, Public Sector Bureaucracy, Family-Friendly Measures and a Shift from Direct to Environment Taxation. Its document also includes sectoral recommendations featuring manufacturing, tourism, construction and real estate, ICT, digital gaming, and yachting. 

The Chamber said it was concerned about the unsustainability of the local pensions system, the Malta Chamber has also made some proposals regarding the matter. In addition, proposals were made in view of Malta’s current health system, as well as in respect of the Research, Technology, Development and Innovation field.