Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said this morning that the energy and health sectors were examples of how the government was turning Malta’s biggest problems into its best investment opportunities. He also said that Malta's next challenge is to improve its infrastructure, especially the roads.

Speaking in Gozo, Dr Muscat said that while electricity tariffs had been reduced, Enemalta, which had been a millstone for the country, was being transformed. The former government would have been prepared to sell it for €1 because of its huge debts, but this government attracted  €320m investment for it, the biggest ever, while reducing the company’s debt to less than €400m.

The health sector too was being turned from a problem to an opportunity.  The medicines out of stock problem had been solved, progress was being done on reducing waiting time, and action was being taken to solve the bed shortage, a problem brought about by the former government when it built Mater Dei Hospital.

Bart’s had become the first partner to link up with the government in the provision of beds, for the Maltese and also for medical tourism. The decision to set up in Gozo was the government’s first choice. Gozo would have a bigger hospital than at present, with the same standards as Mater Dei, and still free for the locals. It would mean 300 foreigners would be living in Gozo year-round and relatives would visit practically every month. The impact on the Gozitan economy was obvious.

The government would now issue a call for investors for further investment in medical facilities, notably at St Luke’s. This too would be at least as good as Mater Dei, providing additional facilities for the Maltese and a wing for medical tourism.

The revamp would be funded by the foreign investors and the property would then be leased for medical tourism, while use for the Maltese would be free. The strong interest that had been shown made the €200 million investment certain, Dr Muscat said. This would create 1,200 new jobs, and the real challenge for Malta was to prepare the necessary manpower in the caring professions. Initially at least, some foreigners would need to be employed. 

This was not the only good news in the health service and another major investment would be announced in the coming days because for this government, the best is yet to come.

Dr Muscat said the next biggest challenge for the government was to improve the infrastructure, not least the quality of the roads.

The prime minister referred to allegations against the husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono about works done in residences at the ministry's expense and he said more people should come forward with information and they would be protected. It had resulted, he said, that the PN whip had been informed of what had been going on. Didn't he tell anybody else?

During his address Dr Muscat drew applause when he said he would vote in favour of the retention of Spring hunting, while saying that Simon Busuttil was claiming to be in favour, but was working against. Malta, he said, should be equal to other countries. Law-abiding hunters should not suffer because of the irresponsibility of the 'bullies'. The important thing, he said, was that there was a balance, and that balance would be lost if Spring hunting was removed. The government, he said, would be vigilant and would be tough against those hunters who broke the law, whatever the outcome of the referendum.