Month: September 2025

“The Government is committed to continue building a stronger, more resilient Gozitan economy, improving quality of life, and preserving the island’s unique identity.” This was stated by Prime Minister Robert Abela during the pre-budget consultation meeting with Gozitan stakeholders. During the discussion with members of the Gozo Regional Committee, the Prime Minister addressed a number of key issues, including how to further tackle the island’s challenges effectively.

The Committee members presented the Government with several proposals, built around key pillars, including accessibility and connectivity, economic diversification and digitalisation, human capital and workforce development, employee well-being within Gozitan enterprises, and the safeguarding of property and cultural heritage.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Abela referred to the economic progress being registered in Gozo, highlighting two main indicators that of employment as well as tourism. He noted that in 2013, almost 750 people in Gozo were registering for work, whereas today that number has fallen sharply to just over 50. The Prime Minister therefore reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue promoting initiatives and measures in the coming months and years to strengthen Gozo’s human resources. This will include efforts to attract more high-value workers and start-ups, while also investing in upskilling and reskilling of the existing workforce.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the investment being made in new schools, while reiterating the Government’s commitment to placing open and green spaces at the heart of Gozitan communities. In this context, he referred to a series of projects, including those financed through the Fund for Sustainable Urban Development, from which Gozo will benefit from an investment of €60 million.

Turning to tourism, Prime Minister Abela emphasised that the sector remains one of the main pillars of Gozo’s economy. He noted that by the second quarter of this year, the number of guests staying in Gozitan hotels had increased by 23%, while the number of nights spent grew by 17%. This means that Gozo is registering stronger tourism activity than that registers in Malta.

In this regard, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Government will ensure the continued development of a sustainable economic model for Gozo. He referred to Malta’s Vision 2050 as well as to the Gozo Strategy: An Island of Villages, both of which present a concrete vision for a stronger, more resilient Gozitan economy that improves quality of life while safeguarding the island’s identity. Dr Abela also stressed that both physical and digital connectivity remain crucial to attracting higher-value activity to Gozo.

Ministers Owen Bonnici, Anton Refalo, Silvio Schembri, Clint Camilleri, Byron Camilleri, Clyde Caruana, and Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, MP Abigail Camilleri, as well as the Head of Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Mallia, were also present for the meeting.

Prime Minister Robert Abela inaugurated the new Sports and Aquatic Pavilion in Victoria, Gozo. The pavilion will provide high-quality indoor sports and aquatic facilities for local, national, and international use. Strategically located in the heart of Victoria, the complex includes a wide range of facilities, from an Olympic-sized pool to specialised areas for different sporting disciplines and other physical activities.

Following a beautiful spectacle of synchronised dancing during the inauguration, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that with the completion of this project, Gozo has opened its doors to international sporting events. He added that this project will bring additional value to the island of Gozo.

Dr Abela emphasised that this is one of a series of projects transforming Gozo and strengthening the community and social fabric that sustains the island’s unique identity as an island of villages. He noted: “This is the type of investment which forms the basis of the Regional Strategy for Gozo, a strategy that Government has launched and is now implementing.”

The Prime Minister underlined Government’s ongoing commitment to invest in Gozo, stressing that the island is central to national vision of creating new prosperity. He said that in this way Gozo will become the engine of the country’s new prosperity. Dr Abela highlighted several quality projects that are currently underway, including the construction of a new primary school in Rabat, ongoing works on the Rabat-Marsalforn road, and the progress made on the Gozo Museum project.

Dr Abela also announced that Government is preparing to launch a number of additional initiatives under the Urban Sustainable Development Fund, through which Gozo will benefit from an investment of €60 million. He explained that, “This will translate into new green urban spaces, including an underground car park in the centre of Rabat and the extension of Villa Rundle Gardens.”

Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri also addressed the inauguration, describing the day as a historic moment for the island with the opening of the Sports and Aquatic Pavilion. He noted that this is the first project of its kind in Gozo, featuring not only the island’s first Olympic-sized pool but also a wide range of international-standard sports facilities under one roof. Minister Camilleri explained that the pavilion embodies a clear and concrete vision for the development of sport in Gozo.

“In fact, we are placing Gozo on the European map as a sports destination, offering state-of-the-art facilities built to international standards. For many years, this was only a promise on paper, but today it has become a reality thanks to the Government that delivers on its commitments,” said Minister Camilleri. He outlined the extensive work carried out to realise this project, adding that the pavilion will be crucial not only for the advancement of sport on the island but also for the growth of sports tourism, the hosting of international competitions, and the creation of new opportunities for Gozitan athletes of all ages.

Beyond swimming, the pavilion also caters for multiple disciplines including basketball, volleyball, netball, badminton, handball, padel, and squash. The complex further includes a dedicated hall for gymnastics, dance, table tennis, and martial arts.

Nhar il-Ħadd, 7 ta’ Settembru, ġiet fi tmiemha l-konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar ir-riforma ħolistika fil-qasam tal-ippjanar. Dan wara erba’ ġimgħat ta’ konsultazzjoni miftuħa u li laħqet lil bosta individwi u setturi tas-soċjetà li semmgħu leħinhom dwar żewġ Abbozzi ta’ Liġi u żewġ Abbozzi ta’ Avviżi Legali li l-Gvern ressaq għad-diskussjoni u li permezz tagħhom irid iwettaq riforma favur ippjanar sensibbli u responsabbli.

Permezz tas-sistema diġitali li tilqa’ s-sottomissjonijiet, daħlu iktar minn 1500 sottomissjoni mill-pubbliku u għaqdiet varji. Dan fl-istess ħin li kienet għaddejja kampanja ta’ informazzjoni dwar ir-riformi proposti.

F’dawn l-aħħar ġimgħat ukoll, Kumitat tal-Kabinett li twaqqaf biex jgħarbel u janalizza l-proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika, kellu  għadd ta’ laqgħat ta’ konsultazzjoni diretta  ma’ għaqdiet ambjentali u organizzazzjonijiet oħrajn sabiex isaħħaħ l-abbozzi mressqa quddiem il-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti.

Is-sottomissjonijiet tal-konsultazzjoni pubblika issa ser ikomplu jiġu mgħarbla mill-Kumitat tal-Kabinett li huwa mmexxi mill-Kap tas-Segretarjat fi ħdan l-Uffiċċju tal-Prim Ministru, il-Kurunell Dr Mark Mallia. Il-kumitat hu kompost mid-Deputat Prim Ministru Ian Borg, il-Ministri Owen Bonnici, Clint Camilleri, Miriam Dalli u Jonathan Attard, is-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni Tony Sultana u s-Segretarju tal-Kabinett Ryan Spagnol. Il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar Johann Buttigieg huwa osservatur.

Permezz ta’ din ir-riforma, il-Gvern irid ikompli jsaħħaħ id-drittijiet taċ-ċittadin fosthom bil-bidla fil-proċess tal-appelli li biha żvilupp jiġi sospiż sakemm tingħata deċiżjoni fi stadju t’appell b’termini stipulati ta’ żmien. L-Abbozzi proposti jindirizzaw ukoll il-ħtieġa li l-pajjiż jibda paġna ġdida u biex min tħalla jiżbalja fil passat iħallas t’għemilu u jagħti lura kumpens lill-pajjiż. Il-Gvern huwa kommess li jwettaq din ir-riforma meħtieġa li ġġib ġustizzja fis-settur permezz ta’ bidliet ħolistiċi favur dixxiplina, ċarezza u ċertezza fil-qasam tal-ippjanar.

Wara l-analiżi tas-sottomissjonijiet imressqa waqt il-konsultazzjoni pubblika issa d-diskussjoni mistennija titkompla fil-Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti – l-ogħla istituzzjoni tal-pajjiż.

During the first consultation meeting with one of the social partners in preparation for Budget 2026, Prime Minister Robert Abela reaffirmed Government’s political commitment to continue incentivising small and medium-sized enterprises, which form a key pillar of the Maltese economy. During a meeting held at Auberge de Castille, with the Chamber for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the Prime Minister stated that Government is committed to implementing its electoral pledge to reduce company tax during the current legislature. He added that Government will also continue sustaining subsidies on electricity bills and fuel prices, which have provided vital relief to families and businesses during times of international challenges.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to present, once again, another strong budget that will drive sustainable economic growth through strategic measures designed to support businesses, cultivate a more attractive business ecosystem, and encourage sustainable and innovative investment.

During the meeting, the discussion focused on the Chamber of SMEs’ Budget proposals, which are built on five main pillars: taxation and finance, governance, the digital and environmental transition, energy, and transport. The Prime Minister thanked the Chamber of SMEs for its proposal and noted with satisfaction that many of the proposals align closely with the Malta Vision 2050. He added that many of the initiatives put forward reflect initiatives which the Government is committed to further strengthening and advancing.

Dr Abela stated that “As a government we are focusing on the creation of careers rather than just jobs. The target of job creation has been achieved, the next step is to sustain it by fostering quality careers that also support job creators in our country.” He added that the Government is determined to continue improving the schemes offered by public entities to attract more high-quality workers and start-ups, while strengthening the skills of the existing workforce.

Recognising that small and medium-sized enterprises are key drivers of Malta’s economic growth, the Prime Minister assured that the Government will remain a strong advocate for fair competitiveness at both European and international levels. He pledged ongoing support for SMEs, including assistance in implementing the digital and environmental transitions, even through the utilisation of European funds. 

Also present for the meeting were Ministers Silvio Schembri, Clint Camilleri, Byron Camilleri, Miriam Dalli, Clyde Caruana, MP Cressida Galea, and the Head of the Secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister, Mark Mallia.

The interests of residents are safeguarded in a landmark land reclamation project, which may serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country

Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with the Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri and the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett visited the Malta Freeport, where works on the terminal expansion are now in an advanced phase.

With a capital investment of around €56 million, the project will reclaim 30,000 square metres of land from the sea. This will allow the northern quay at the second terminal to be extended by 176 metres and the western quay by 195 metres. Through this infrastructural expansion, the Freeport will significantly increase its capacity to handle containerships over four football pitches in length and carrying up to 23,000 containers.

To date, the Malta Freeport offers services to more than 110 ports around the world, more than 50 of which are located in the Mediterranean. The facility handles almost three million TEU containers a year, provides direct employment for more than 1,500 people and contributes €170 million to the Maltese economy. The expansion and improvement of maritime infrastructure in the Malta Freeport will lead to the creation of around 165 new jobs.

Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed on the importance of continuing to invest and strengthen maritime infrastructure. He said that this strategic project will continue to strengthen our country’s position as a transhipment hub in the Mediterranean. He noted that apart from the importance of the Freeport for Malta’s connectivity and economy, the Malta Freeport Corporation is also ensuring that Birżebbuġa residents benefit once this project is completed. This is because as soon as this terminal is operational, containerships will be berthed further out, where container cranes will be situated further out with less noise and inconvenience to nearby residents. The Prime Minister added that this kind of investment is aligned with the Malta Vision 2050. 

The CEO of the Malta Freeport Terminals, Alex Montebello, expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far, noting that around half of the required works have already been completed. He explained that while the land reclamation project posed significant challenges, these were successfully overcome thanks to the dedication and professionalism of all those involved.

During the visit, the Prime Minister, together with Ministers Silvio Schembri and Chris Bonett, was also shown the new crane simulator. This state-of-the-art facility will provide safe and effective training for both new recruits and existing employees.