The stability that delivers – Miriam Dalli, Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise

The Labour Government delivers what matters, and what matters at this point in time is stability. This sense of stability and certainty is also shared by the stakeholders, the business community who, knowing too well the crises faced by companies abroad, crave nothing more than the certainty that this Government will stand by them, through thick and thin.

MIRIAM DALLI, MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE

By now, the confidence and trust in Government is strong, as a result of the conscious decisions taken to support businesses throughout the most challenging of times. Be it the Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent warorthespirallingenergypricesandinflationasaresultofthesechaotic events, businesses in Malta know that this is a progressive government, with social justice at its core, ready to be a shoulder to businesses and willing to step in for the most vulnerable. Budget 2023 – the first for this legislature – delivers on what it can implement. It certainly is no pie in the sky, and most definitely does not bite off more than it can chew. It lays out however a clear vision of where we expect the country to go in the coming months, whilst laying the groundwork for more long-term projects.

As Minister responsible for the environment, energy and enterprise, it goes without saying that efficiency, innovation, green and sustainability are the four key principles that guide our work and planning throughout. Four principles that are applied in each sector – be it economic growth, increased open spaces, energy diversification, use of water resources, environmental protection or waste management. It is also encouraging to see that stakeholders – the Malta Chamber included – share this vision with us.

Over the course of the past few years, the cooperation between the two sides has strengthened, in the knowledge that both sides are working towards a common goal: a resilient Maltese economy that gives back to its community. Gone are the times when measures of austerity were considered as the way forward. And time and time again, this government side-lined austerity to increase its support across the spectrum: from energy aid, to education, to health and social policies.

Budget 2023 is a collection of new and innovative measures, some of which were extracted from the electoral manifesto, which will help us deliver on a number of projects. Projects that will also serve to incentivise the private sector.

Chief amongst these pledges is the implementation of the €700 million greening projects. As a new agency will be setup, some projects will offer opportunities to the private sector in terms of public-private partnerships. With sustainability and greening our environment remaining at the core of these projects, this will also be an opportunity to create much more.

As I look forward to seeing our Government, and my ministry, implementing these measures, I also look forward to seeing you take an active role in leading the way towards a more climate-neutral economy. Through Malta Enterprise, we are strengthening the schemes to support both start-ups and those industries who want to invest in efficiency and innovation.

Budget 2023 is a kaleidoscope of measures seeking to make the future of Malta better than yesterday’s. Above all, we want to create the right career paths for our upcoming generations as our industries steer towards more innovative solutions. Budget 2023 is indeed a testament to the faith that this government has in its entrepreneurs to rise up to the challenges and grasp the emerging opportunities. For we know that our economic sectors seek improved quality – both in what is offered and what is delivered.

Whilst this government stands by you in trying international times, we hope that this trust is reciprocated by the delivery of quality work. This is what stability delivers. n

“As Minister responsible for the environment, energy and enterprise, it goes without saying that efficiency, innovation, green and sustainability are the four key principles that guide our work and planning throughout.”