The future is still bright for Malta in spite of problems, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.
Interviewed on Radio 101, Dr Gonzi referred to GDP figures published by the National Statistics Office last Friday which showed a negative growth in Malta's economy for two quarters in a row.
He said that in spite of these figures, the backbone of the economy in Malta was still strong.
The financial services sector was growing as was the manufacturing sector which included a new aviation branch where many young people were developing a career and pharmaceutical companies the country did not dream of 10 years ago.
Moreover, tourism figures in Malta only improved in the second and third quarters and it seemed to be doing well while exports figures were positive.
Dr Gonzi said that with the economies all around Malta collapsing or facing problems, it was very likely that Malta, which was exposed, would also be affected.
So before enjoying the bad news which figures were showing, the Labour leader should wait to see what the figures for the next three months would be.
The PL, Dr Gonzi said, lacked confidence in the people and was only interested in gaining power.
The Prime Minister criticised the series of motions moved recently by the Opposition. That against former Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici was unjustified and personal and that against Richard Cachia Caruana, another shameful motion, would be debated in the coming days.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the disabled noting that major strides forward had been made although there was still a lot which needed to be done.
While 20 years ago children with intellectual disabilities used to be placed in special schools, they were now integrated in normal ones.
Moreover 900 people with disability had a full time job and another 200 a part time one.
While the church had been providing accommodation for the disabled for years, 20 years ago, Dr Gonzi said, homes in the community started being built to house disabled people in their own environment once the parents died.
But the solution the government was aiming for was that of providing each person with a disability with a personal assistant. This was not an easy project as the assistant would live with the disabled throughout the day so had to be chosen by the person he or she would be living with. However, a pilot project was already underway.