The Nationalist Party said today that EU figures showing a 12 per cent drop in industrial production in Malta in May compared to the same month last year was a matter of concern.

The drop was the steepest in the EU and yet the government was showing indifference, even though the situation could affect thousands of manufacturing jobs, the party said.

It was particularly significant that this drop had happened when the rest of Europe was experiencing an industrial revival, and the drop was part of a trend for Malta, the PN said.

Furthermore the government had not been able to persuade the EU that Maltese industry should be eligible to the highest level of assistance.

The party urged the government to identify the problems Malta was suffering and to act rather than seek excuses.

The statement was signed by Mario de Marco, spokesman on the economy, and Tonio Fenech, spokesman on finance.