Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told Parliament yesterday that the government’s “can do” attitude had boosted the economy and brought results, which were being felt by the people.

He was confident that official figures would show that the government had kept its promise to reduce the deficit to 2.1 per cent last year. The debt as a percentage of GDP was also being reduced.

This government, Dr Muscat said, had surprised everyone in the last Budget by introducing measures normally taken just before the elections.

Among them was the reduction in electricity and water tariffs, a process which would continue at the end of this month when tariffs for businesses would be reduced by 25 per cent.

The government was partnering with the private sector in the problematic areas of energy and health.

The private sector was the key to economic growth and there were many other areas which could be transformed from problems to opportunities if they were made attractive for the private sector.

The only way the government could really invest in the infrastructure, physical and social, was to use new financial tools, as allowed by the European Union.

The message in the Budget was that the government was open for partnership with the private sector, and it was proud to be doing so.

Dr Muscat said the government had noted points made by the Opposition and also had meetings with the Opposition with a view to tweaking some of the Budget measures in the interests of society.

Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said earlier that, while the public transport tariffs would not go up, people were being encouraged to use cards and pre-paid tickets so that waiting time would be reduced.