Malta’s economy today is one of the most vibrant within the European Union with economic growth and record low unemployment rates being registered year after year. Malta has strongly recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic such that forecasts of foreign institutions have remained positive and credit rating agencies continuously place Malta in the group of countries with the highest ratings. This is indicative of a vibrant economy, open to investment in new industries, and also in the more traditional industries undergoing a process of modernisation. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to deliver.

Education, which is the basis for a society that values critical thinking and displays life satisfaction, and the ongoing training and development of workers, is crucial for Malta to remain competitive and attract further investment.

We want to deliver prosperity that every member of our society benefits from: one that is sustainable, leads to an improved quality of life, and consistently produces better jobs for our citizens.

Safeguarding the environment is one of the highest priorities of this administration. Although development remains important for our country to progress economically, we need to protect our habitat. This is why the Government launched and will continue to offer incentives for families and businesses to enhance their efforts and embrace sustainable solutions. In recent years, Malta carried out substantial investments to improve air quality, by using cleaner energy sources, and has launched and started to implement numerous projects to this effect.

The increase in the use of renewable energy and key projects, such as the shore-to-ship, aimed at reducing pollution, are vital to safeguarding the environment. Incentives were also introduced to encourage more people to purchase electric vehicles. And as part of our commitment to reach our Malta Carbon Neutral objective, securing a green transition is at the very heart of our recovery and resilience plan, which was subsequently praised as one of the greenest plans in Europe.

In parallel, unprecedented investment in new open spaces for families to enjoy, has already started. Places that until recently were mere dump sites, have now been transformed into parks, with many more similar projects in the pipeline. Furthermore, we took crucial decisions at the start of this legislature that safeguarded thousands of square metres of ODZ, and launched new open green spaces in the heart of our communities.

Economic success is not the end goal, but rather it is the foundation on which a more just society is built. The increase in the number of jobs and work opportunities in recent years has led to a decrease in the number of people reliant on social benefits, whilst investment in important benefits applicable for pensioners and persons with disability increased. In a society where social justice prevails, equality will also be prevalent.

Malta is proud that it is stands first in Europe in terms of LGBTIQ+ rights. Significant changes and reforms are constantly being carried out to enhance equality even further, which includes giving each and every person the possibility to become a parent. The Government wants to deliver a Malta that does not tolerate gender discrimination, and one of the Government’s key priorities is to address the difficulties faced by those who have been ill-treated on the basis of their gender. We are committed to continue building a society where no one feels like they have been set aside, or discriminated against. A society in which everyone feels free to voice their opinions, and have the right tools and opportunities available to reach their aspirations and full potential.

Malta implemented substantial institutional and constitutional reforms that continued to strengthen the modern democratic framework of our country. Recent reforms of key importance include the Prime Minister relinquishing numerous powers that were exclusively his until the beginning of 2020, which include the appointment of the Chief Justice and the Police Commissioner, amongst others. These decisions started being taken either by means of a two thirds majority vote in Parliament, or via Constitutional or Parliamentary processes. Such unprecedented reforms were recognised by international entities such as the European Commission and the Venice Commission. Malta also underwent a monitoring procedure by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) that upon its conclusion in June 2022 recognised the major reforms that were implemented and confirmed Malta to be a just and strong jurisdiction.

Effective modern governance also ensures that accessible and transparent services are available to all citizens, and Malta is at the very forefront in terms of e-government services. Significant efforts are also being made to carry out the necessary reforms that will lead to more efficient judicial processes, as having a justice administration that is both functional and timely, is a must in today’s day and age.

Malta is carrying out substantial investment to strengthen its infrastructure as this complements the strong economic growth registered in recent years. This investment brings together numerous areas that collectively ensure the country is moving forward, and that businesses and families are receiving the best service possible. Presently, an extensive amount of work is being carried out in roads all over Malta, whilst the largest infrastructural projects in our country’s history have been completed or are currently underway. Malta’s maritime infrastructure is also being strengthened further as this remains a crucial sector for a country such as Malta.

Studies are currently underway to identify new private transport solutions, and public transport will now be free for one and all.

In parallel, investment in the digital infrastructure of our country is also being carried out. This is crucial for the public sector as having the right tools in place, ensures an even better service is given to our citizens whilst reducing bureaucracy. Infrastructure in Gozo is also being strengthened in various aspects including connectivity, digitalisation, and the production of water amongst others. Gozo is an island full of opportunities and we must ensure it reaches its full potential.

The Government wants all children to be able to succeed in life. That is why investment in education is carried out as it enables future generations to be more knowledgeable, skilled, and academically prepared. Education is also crucial for social mobility.

We will continue investing in schools and new academic programmes that enable every student to reach their full potential. We will implement the Child Guarantee programme, following the Youth Guarantee Programme, to ensure no one is left behind. We want all children that live in Malta to benefit from top quality services in all areas, including health and security.

Malta’s health services are one of the most robust, as all citizens in Malta and Gozo have access to free healthcare services. The list of free services and medicines being offered is also being extended. In the worst times of the pandemic, Malta, despite its smaller size, served as an example to other countries. This is indeed indicative of the Government’s commitment and the substantial investment that was carried out.

The same applies for the country’s security following unprecedented investment in the disciplined forces which saw an improvement in working conditions, the introduction of new services and the upgrading of equipment and tools in an effort to provide a better service to citizens and make them feel more secure.