Updated 10.10pm
Reactions to Budget 2018 were quick to stream in, with trade unions, lobby groups and other sectoral interests quick to have their say.
Here is a summary of key reactions from stakeholders.
Malta Union of Teachers
The Malta Union of Teachers slammed the government's Budget, saying it offered no solution to the pressing teachers' shortage.
"Instead of addressing the sector's needs, the Budget focused on what is already known," the union said.
It said it had expected incentives to retain teachers and to encourage young people to join the profession.
Retail and trade sector
The GRTU said it expected much more for small businesses (SMEs).
"The GRTU does not feel that businesses should be grateful for no increase in taxes. Businesses were among the main contributors that generated the economic growth and surplus we are enjoying today. This time, they were also the ones left out from government’s wealth distribution plans.
"In the current economic scenario, the GRTU had expected a reduction in corporate taxation and the reversal of the harmful excise tax, amongst other things," the association said.
Hotel and restaurant lobby
The MHRA - Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association - welcomed the government's focus on the infrastructure and social initiatives.
"This will go a long way to enhance the tourism product and improve the quality of life for locals and tourists alike."
The association welcomed fiscal consolidation, the increase in the Budget for the Malta Tourism Authority and measures that aim to improve the long-term sustainability of the general environment.
GreenPak
The waste recovery firm welcomed the government's intention to open up consultation about a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles, saying such a system required "serious and in-depth consultation" if it were to be introduced without imposing further costs.
General Workers' Union
The country's largest trade union said Budget 2018 ensured wealth was shared among all workers and citizens, and expressed satisfaction that the government had paid heed to many of the union's pre-Budget proposals, from rental suggestions to calls to increase all pensions.
The GWU welcomed the allocation of funds for compensation to workers who had suffered injustice.
It also welcomed the start of the process to restore public holidays as well as measures to improve social welfare, social housing and the rental market.
Alternattiva Demokratika
The Green Party welcomed the government's willingness to tackle the problem of vacant properties, saying it was finally listening to AD's long-standing proposals. They said, however, that the government was putting off "absolutely necessary" state intervention in the rental market.
The party was also criticial of plans to increase road infrastructure, likening it to "an overweight person who ‘solves’ his expanding wasteline by changing his wardrobe instead of going on a diet".
Employers
The Malta Employers' Association breathed a sigh of relief that a measure to give back workers public holidays that fell on weekends had not featured, saying the delay would give social partners "sufficient breathing space to...design compensatory measures."
The MEA expressed a degree of concern about the lack of clarity about Air Malta's future, and also noted that the government seemed to be banking on employment growth to fuel economic growth - despite employers already facing problems in sourcing manpower.
Entrepreneurs
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry noted that the government's consolidated fund would remain approximately €100 million in the red over the next three years.
It welcomed measures to reform the country's road infrastructure as well as the "long overdue" announcement on the offsetting of payments between private operators and the State, but expressed regret that its complaints about Malta's relatively high energy rates for businesses were not considered.