“With Malta’s recovery and resilience plan, we will embark on a process to reach our environmental objectives together with the digital transition, which are of priority for both Malta and the European Union”
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said this during a meeting with Social Partners at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) in relation to the Recovery and Resilience Plan. During this meeting there was also the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela stated that through the recovery and resilience facility our country can continue investing in our economy, thus sustaining business and jobs. In addition, Malta will find the RRF thoroughly useful in having one of the fastest post-Covid recovery periods that will eventually lead to Malta remaining amongst the strongest European economies.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that Malta will be working towards achieving these European goals, in line with the vision announced by the Government last year, whereby it is not just reacting to the pandemic but we are also embarking on a long term plan for our country leading to a better quality of life for all Maltese and Gozitans.
With this plan, Malta will be conducting various reforms and investments related to the grant of about €316 million in European funds. This plan is a result of the recovery and resilience facility, which is aimed to give additional support to member states to recover from the pandemic as soon as possible in a sustainable manner. With this facility, the European Commission has stipulated that at least 37% of these funds must be allocated towards environmental initiatives, whilst a minimum of 20% must contribute to the digital transition. The European Commission requires that the recovery and resilience plans also address the country specific recommendations which it has made to each member state, as part of the European Semester process.
Amongst various reforms and investments, Malta’s proposal for using these grants are aimed towards energy efficiency and clean energy. In addition, to reach the environmental European objectives in reducing emissions by 2050, various initiatives will be taken to eliminate carbon emissions in transport.
Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that various initiatives will be taken towards digitalisation, ‘smart’ and resilient economy whilst measures are taken so that our health system is strengthened and becomes more resilient. Money from this facility will also be invested to strengthen the quality of our educational and vocational sector while often investments are earmarked for our schools. Other measures will also be taken to strengthen our country’s institutional framework.
This virtual meeting with the social partners follows months of discussions with various stakeholders and the European Commission, so that Malta formulates its recovery and resilience plan covering up to July 2026.
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