A discussion took place at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) regarding the thematic areas and the questions upon which the national post-pandemic strategy, due to be published by the end of the second quarter of the year, is being built.
During this meeting, presided over by MCESD Chairman Mr Jimmy Persall and Professor Simone Borg, who is leading the steering committee concerned with the planning of the strategy, explained the 12 thematic areas being proposed to serve as basis for this national strategy.
She explained that these areas were put up for a public consultation which will be closing at the end of the month. She added that various meetings with several stakeholders took place and there is a generally positive feeling about the need for a horizontal forward-looking strategy.
Minister for Research, Innovation and the Coordination of post-COVID Strategy Owen Bonnici and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela were also in attendance.
Minister Owen Bonnici explained that as a result of the decisions taken by the government over the course of the pandemic, our country is now still socially and economically in a strong position. It is expected that Malta will be one of the EU countries to make a positive recovery following the pandemic.
Minister Carmelo Abela said that the economic recovery after the pandemic will inspire a more digital and green economy and include new methods of work that will assist the same recovery. In this context, he mentioned the importance of conditions of work for our employees and how these need to be a part of the discussions during the recovery. The minister also expressed his belief that this will lead to more productivity and a more positive workplace.
“At the same time, one needs to take stock of the things that were done well pre-Covid, together with not only the way forward but also the lessons learnt from the pandemic. These three elements should guide us to create a new economy that is more sustainable and resilient than ever before”, stated Minister Carmelo Abela.
