Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today promised that there will be “no surprises” in the 2017 budget which will be presented at the end of the year.

Addressing a meeting with the Malta Developers Association (MDA), Dr Muscat said the budget will be well thought out and focused on ensuring that everyone benefited from the economic growth the country was experiencing.

The budget would not be a “sporadic” one and it would continue to build on previous budgets presented by this government with the emphasis being on continuity, Dr Muscat said.

He said Malta had among the highest economic growth rates in the EU, the second lower unemployment rate and the lowest youth unemployment rate.

Dr Muscat said the economy had more room to grow and the government would remain attentive to external factors such as Brexit.

The Prime Minister said the government was working on a master plan for the Paceville zone which would help developers and investors know where they stood.

MDA President Sandro Chetcuti presented the association’s budget proposals to the prime minister.

One of the proposals mentioned during the meeting was for a second-time buyer scheme, though no further details were given.