As announced earlier this week, at the Auberge de Castille, Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by Minister Miriam Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul, met with members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).
During this meeting, Prime Minister Abela noted that our country has authorities who are managing wisely in unprecedented international circumstances that we have never seen before, where oil prices rise, fall and explode upwards again.
He added that, unlike other countries that have run out of petrol, diesel and other fuels, our country has and will continue to offer assurance not only of supply, but also of price stability. “This is possible because the Government has continued to take the necessary decisions and in the right direction,” reiterated Dr Abela.
The Prime Minister explained that the energy sector is one of the main reasons why Malta is in a strong economic position today. In this context, he also noted the International Monetary Fund’s forecast, which shows that by 2031 Malta is expected to experience the highest economic growth in the European Union, as well as inflation below the European average.
Dr Abela made it clear that energy subsidies will continue to be provided, so that Maltese and Gozitan families and businesses remain protected from the effects of international volatility in oil and fuel prices. The Prime Minister continued to stress that these decisions are possible because Malta has thought ahead and kept its economy and finances in a sound position.
Prime Minister Robert Abela also referred to the ambitious policy that our country has to continue moving increasingly towards renewable energy, a policy that is expected to help drastically reduce emissions, while continuing to provide a sustained guarantee to the Maltese and Gozitans.
The Prime Minister concluded by saying that a Government led by him will continue to invest and strengthen the policy of incentives and support not only in the energy sector, but in every field.
Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli said that price stability and energy supply stability are important pillars on which we are working and implementing our broader energy plan. “In the current circumstances we are reaffirming what we have always been convinced of, particularly from 2022 onwards, when the world began to face volatile situations with energy prices exploding in several countries,” added Minister Dalli.
“We have continued and will continue to guarantee a stable price because this is how we give certainty to families and businesses. In the same way, we have always continued and will continue to guarantee a stable supply. Stability was and is the basis on which we have continued to move this country forward; economically and socially and therefore we have always defended this policy despite all the pressures we have had. At the same time, we have an ambitious investment plan in the sector that will continue to make our country more resilient,” concluded Minister Dalli.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue and Accommodation, Andy Ellul, said that this discussion is a very important one where it is spurring a lively dialogue, aimed at discussing ways of how as a country we move forward in the interest of everyone. “This meeting clearly demonstrates the open social dialogue that is yielding good, as the social partners were participants in this discussion that is affecting the future of this country. Only in this way can we have discussions that truly reflect the realities of Malta and the needs of the people and its people,” said Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul.
MCESD Members were given a detailed presentation on the preparatory energy plan by Enemalta Executive Chairman Eng. Ryan Fava, Interconnect Malta CEO Eng. Ismail D’Amato, IESC Executive Chairman Eng. Johann Zammit and Enemed Executive Chairman Kevin Chircop.
Photo (OPM/DOI)
