Public consultation on a new National Reform Programme (NRP) was launched today by Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Tonio Fenech, who said it will guide Malta's strategic development for growth and jobs between 2008 and 2010.

Mr Fenech said the NRP will build on the success achieved in the first programme which, between 2005-2008 had proposed 53 measures to improve Malta's economic growth and employment opportunities under five main headings - sustainability of public finances, competitiveness, employment, education and training and the environment.

The success of the last programme could be gauged from the fact that Malta had been able to qualify for euro adoption while also enjoying a reduction in unemployment and investment growth, Mr Fenech said.

Through the new programme, the government was hoping to sustain fiscal consolidation with a view of achieving a balanced budget by 2010. It would also continue pension reform, continue sustainable heath care development and improve efficiency in the public sector, the minister said.

Mr Fenech said specific interventions were being proposed to unlock the business potential of the Maltese, while more investment would be made in knowledge and innovation, energy and climate change.

On the former, he explained that the government intended to further toll back bureaucracy "so as to allow business to do business."

On investment in knowledge and innovation, he said that improving the capabilities of the Maltese remained a priority, as evidenced by the investment which was being made in all levels of education.

He said the government would also like to see a reduction of dependence on fossil fuels through growth of alternative sources and reduced energy consumption.

In the employment sector, the government would work to increase the participation rate of women and older workers and encourage more students to follow science and technology subjects.

Comments on the new programme may be submitted on nrp.meu@gov.mt by August 22.