Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said today that the next big restructuring process will involve pensions.

He was speaking as he greeted the newly-elected council of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Auberge de Castille..

He said that after roping in private business in the energy sector and seeking public-private partnership in health, the government would come out with “interesting proposals” for structural reforms in pensions, he said.

“The red lines we have are that the retirement age will not go up and national insurance contributions will not y raised, but the government will be coming up with a number of extremely interesting proposals,” he said.

The meeting continued behind closed doors but in a short introductory address, Chamber president Anton Borg welcomed the government’s willingness to work with the private sector.

Mr Borg said the organisation was apolitical and its statements had to be viewed in this context. “We look at how things effect the economy and their commercial impact and speak accordingly,” he said.

He insisted the time was now ripe – given the positive economic figures – to introduce certain measures proposed by the Chamber to improve competitiveness.