The government is speeding up any payments due to Maltese businesses involved in Libya to help them in any cashflow problems which the current crisis may have caused, Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona said.

Such businesses would also be allowed more leeway in payments they are due to make to the government.

He was addressing a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development with Mario Cutajar, head of the Civil Service. Mr Cutajar also heads the government's Crisis Unit on Libya.

Mr Cutajar said that some 200 Maltese businesses are involved in Libya.

In introductory comments, Mr Cutajar also said that 163 Maltese workers in Libya have returned home, but others have opted to stay.

The Maltese government was in contact with them, as far as possible, and although no evacuation has been ordered, they are still being encouraged to leave. 

He said the government had drawn up various contingency plans including the possibility to host up 3,800 refugees.

Up to now 48 injured Libyans had been transported to Malta for treatment of whom one died and seven were discharged. He said that as long as Mater Dei Hospital was be in a position to provide care, this service would continue.

Mr Cutajar emphasised that no EU country has ordered an evacuation of its nationals from Libya, and what was taken place was  assisted departures.

Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona said that some 200 companies doing businesses with Libya had been contacted by Malta Enterprise, with the majority of them fearing that this crisis would have a negative impact on jobs. Government was taking measures to support these businesses by facilitating any payments which were still pending from the government, such as VAT refunds. This would help to ease cash flow problems. The ultimate objective would be to safeguard jobs of Maltese business interests