Tax increases have been kept to a minimum with the main target being excise duties.

The single most important measure is a new bunkering tax on fuel for ships outside territorial waters that will be levied at €5 per tonne. From this measure, the government is estimating an income of €6.5 million.

This will not affect the price of fuel sold in Malta.

The Customs duty introduced on cement last year will rise by €3 per tonne, which will see revenue increase by €1.2 million.

The minimum excise duty on cigarettes will increase by 5.8 per cent on each packet of 20 cigarettes, with excise duty on other tobacco products going up by 8.5 per cent.

While the excise duty on mobile telephony remain unchanged, this will now be levied on volume of calls rather than remain tariff based. The government estimates this will rake in an additional €500,000.