The public administration should adopt a “private sector mindset”. Moreover, it should further limit its control over private enterprise, according to Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.
Speaking during a meeting with the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) yesterday, Dr Busuttil called for enterprise to truly be considered the prime economic mover, with the government’s role limited to light regulation while also ensuring fairness.
The Opposition leader also supported the GRTU’s repeated calls for energy bills to be lowered by 30 per cent. Dr Busuttil argued that high energy and fuel tariffs were damaging the competitiveness of local businesses.
He also criticised the government’s decision to grant the consortium behind the new power station a €360 million State guarantee.
Dr Busuttil said this would have been better used if spread among start-ups and small businesses.
During the meeting, the PN presented a policy document – An Economy for the People – laying out a vision for the economy “in which hard work pays and which keeps sustainability as a core value”.
Dr Busuttil said the document was built around five key areas: developing a robust economic growth engine, adopting the environment as a major economic differentiator, prioritising equity and human dignity, embracing digital engagement and integrating Gozo into the mainstream.
Meanwhile, GRTU president Paul Abela, discussing the challenges facing SMEs, highlighted the problem of bureaucracy.
Mr Abela argued that the civil service failed to understand the challenges and uncertainties faced by self-employed individuals.
He stressed that access to finance remained a major issue for small businesses and highlighted the urgency of the proposed Malta Development Bank.
This bank would offer financing to high-risk projects that commercial banks might not be willing to back.
Mr Abela also pointed to problems that Maltese businesses seeking to compete online were facing. In such cases, rates for goods to be sent abroad were often twice as high as the rates for goods sent to Malta.
He said discussions were under way with MaltaPost to address the situation.