The efforts made by Enemalta to ensure viability – as highlighted by the company’s executive chairman in his article ‘On the road to sustainability’, (The Sunday Times of Malta, March 27) – are indeed noteworthy and commendable.

The milestones achieved under Fredrick Azzopardi’s authority are important for business and industry in terms of curbing theft and wastage in the short-term while looking to­wards the medium/ longer-term through plans to ensure stability of supply, investing in cleaner generation and an upgraded distribution network.

Here, one must also acknowledge, as the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry rightly did, that the reduction in electricity tariffs for business last year was a step in the right direction.

However, while one must understand Enemalta’s path towards its own viability is an important objective, this still falls short of reaching what should be considered as one of Malta’s overarching objectives – that is, that of offering electricity tariffs for industry at rates that are competitive.

Achieving this objective is even more important when one considers that these tariffs continue to rank among the highest in Europe at a time when competitive pressures on manufacturing industry continue to grow.

Enemalta deserves credit for engaging with the Chamber’s Manufacturers Economic Group in hearing and considering a number of recommendations proposed with a view to rendering possible further reductions in electricity tariffs for industry, but now the time to deliver is becoming more and more pressing.

I am more than certain that our political leaders fully appreciate that no one owes Malta a living, and that in the cut-throat competitive situation, our country cannot afford to impose self-inflicted burdens on businesses.

Consequently, the Manufacturing Economic Group feels that the government must give a clear sign that it believes in the future of manufacturing industry in Malta and that it is ready to support it with concrete actions.