The government's 2015 vision of making Malta a centre of excellence in various sectors is the way forward for the country, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said during a business breakfast yesterday.
This vision is based on what the country has managed to achieve over the past four years. It is an ambitious vision that looks at a dynamic and high-value economy based on skills and excellence, he said.
"We can really become centres of excellence in the EU and the Mediterranean region. We are on the right track and we need to continue building on what we have already achieved. More and better jobs is not a catch phrase. This is what we have done so far and are promising for the future," Dr Gonzi said.
The decisions made by the government during the past legislature resulted in a four per cent growth in the Gross Domestic Product, which is the best growth when compared to that registered by other EU countries, and foreign direct investment amounting to over €650 million (Lm275 million) between January and September of last year.
In the same year, tourism figures grew by 11 per cent and the financial services sector by 14 per cent.
Dr Gonzi referred to the government's target for a positive balance in the country's finances by 2010 and described as "worrying" the fact that for Opposition Leader Alfred Sant this is not a priority.
"The major reason why we achieved these results was because of the government's efforts for fiscal consolidation. It is very worrying that the Labour leader does not see this as a priority," he said.
He referred indirectly to Labour's proposal to halve the surcharge and to Dr Sant's guarantee that the surcharge will not be increased throughout the entire legislature.
"If someone had to tell me there was an extra €116 million (Lm50 million), I would prefer investing the money in education and at the University rather than on reducing the surcharge and incentivising waste.
"I would have to be the most irresponsible politician ever to put the country in a straight jacket. I cannot even commit myself for two weeks where the cost of electricity is concerned, let alone an entire legislature," he said.
Dr Gonzi said he believed the government had to move out of businesses and focus on the core issues. "Let businesses mind their own business.
The government can focus on ensuring a level playing field and creating the right scenarios for people to invest and for investment to come to Malta as well as on the updating of the Business Promotion Act."
When asked, Dr Gonzi reiterated that the government is not planning to privatise Air Malta, the national airline.
"We will privatise whatever is not pure government business, which we leave for entrepreneurs. Air Malta is of strategic importance to the island and it will not be privatised because we cannot allow Malta to be dependent on others."
Dr Gonzi said Malta will continue to serve as the bridge between the EU and the Arab countries. "We have bridge building in our DNA," he said.
Concluding on the theme of the business breakfast organised by The Malta Business Weekly - More And Better Jobs - Dr Gonzi said: "We will create more and better jobs if we continue to attract the right investors and invest in skills and human resources.
This is why education is the main focus point of our 2015 vision."