Works on Culture Hub for Carnival enthusiasts and other creatives to kick off soon.

Abela says new projects will include massive parks for families.

Prime Minister Robert Abela said Malta is taking a different economic path from other European countries, as several EU Member States, and the United Kingdom debate preserving pensions, limiting or cutting down on social benefits and increasing taxes.

During an interview on One TV, Abela contrasted Malta’s approach with discussions taking place elsewhere in Europe, where governments are grappling with economic pressures and fiscal constraints.

“While other EU Member States and the UK are discussing preserving or freezing the most basic necessities such as pensions and social benefits, and at the same time increasing taxes, in Malta it’s a different story,” Abela said. He argued that the Maltese government is focusing on improving conditions for citizens rather than maintaining current levels of support.

“Here, we are looking at improving conditions and creating new job opportunities. The digital sphere for instance has seen 6,000 new jobs created and now we are looking at reaching 60,000 new jobs, an ambitious target but we will get there,” he highlighted.

On work life-balance, Abela spoke about remote work, stating that he strongly believes in flexible working arrangements. He said Malta already has a solid remote working policy in place. “I strongly believe in remote work,” the Prime Minister said, noting that while the policy can be further improved, current data shows productivity levels remain strong.

He explained that even the private sector has reported that productivity has either remained stable or improved under remote working arrangements.

“If productivity stops, then we go back to the drawing board,” Abela said, adding that the government remains open to reviewing policies if needed.

The Prime Minister also outlined a number of major projects set to commence across the country, including developments at Fort Campbell, Fort Tigné, Manoel Island, White Rocks and Fort San Salvatur.

Abela said Malta will see the creation of new family parks as part of these regeneration efforts, aimed at providing more open and recreational spaces while referring to the Grand Harbour Regeneration projects.

He described the White Rocks project as his “dream project,” noting that it is a site where previous administrations had been reluctant to invest.

On Manoel Island, Abela said discussions are reaching their final stages, signalling progress on another long-anticipated development.

Abela maintained that the government’s overall strategy is centred on economic growth, employment expansion and strengthening social measures, while investing in infrastructure and public spaces that improve quality of life.
He said certain projects like White Rocks are hanging fruit, but other projects may take slightly longer to develop.

On NI contributions, he said that In Malta, workers with at least 10 years of social security contributions may qualify for a minimal retirement pension upon reaching pension age (65).

On the Vision 2050, which will be launched soon, he said that this Government will launch the vision but we will bank on our youth to implement it. He said he had met with youth during a conference on this vision and he said that youth were very enthusiastic.

PM Abela also unveiled that works on the long-awaited Culture Hub warehouses will kick off soon and Carnival enthusiasts and other creatives will have a hub to continue to work on their talent, adding that the carnival in Malta and Gozo was reaching new heights in terms of costumes and floats.

He also spoke about the heavy tax cuts introduced this year where workers will see thousands more in their pockets.
Dr Abela also referred to the discouragement expressed by some, including in relation to the car racing track project, where the Prime Minister stressed that works are ongoing.

PM to address anomaly affecting youth to open a business

The Prime Minister said that in the discussions he held with European leaders at the Informal Summit in recent days, they spoke, among other things, about the single market and competitiveness.

He explained how Malta continues to take advantage of the single market by strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit in research and innovation, including through a measure targeted at young people.

Following discussions held with JA Malta, he said that the Government will be carrying out a reform in the law so that young people between the ages of 16 and 18 can open a business on their own, without the need for their parents’ permission.