Enterprises in Gozo and Malta have saved close to €370 million in electricity bills over a span of two years owing to the government’s decision to retain price stability and absorb the increases in international oil prices.
“The Maltese economy flourished and grew 10 times the European average, thanks to the Labour Government’s decision to absorb the increase in oil prices. By taking this proactive step, we have cushioned the blow to the economy, which other countries are experiencing. Instead, we have continued to create a favourable environment for businesses and individuals alike to thrive. As a result, our economy has witnessed a significant expansion, with a growth rate that is close to 10 times higher than the average in Europe,” Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli said.
Minister Dalli visited De La Rue today, where works are underway as the company is expanding its factory to 29,000sqm, in a multi-million investment set to create some 100 new jobs. De La Rue’s management explained how the company was investing in a state-of-the-art factory, that would be energy efficient and allow it to extend its industry 4.0 journey.
The company noted how the Government’s support was a major contributing factor to its decision to expand in Malta.
Minister Dalli reiterated the government’s commitment to support businesses, pushing forward a knowledge-intensive economy based on sustainable practices where innovation and the blue and green economies can thrive.
“We have doubled the budgetary allocation for projects and measures, operated by Malta Enterprise, to support businesses and start-ups investing in research and innovation, skills, digitisation and energy efficiency amongst others. A budget allocation of €60 million,” Miriam Dalli said.
Malta Enterprise will once again operate schemes that support competitive businesses such as Business Development, Business Start, Innovate – Innovation Aid for SMEs, Rent Subsidy Scheme, Research & Development, Skills Development, Smart and Sustainable Investment, Start-Up Finance Scheme and Micro Invest amongst others. The popular Get Qualified scheme will also be relaunched.
“This Budget is a continuation and strengthening of existing schemes that focus on an economic strategy to attract innovation whilst diversifying the economy through new targeted niches. This, whilst offering new opportunities in new niches such as semiconductors, where Malta is one of the 16 countries whose project has been approved under Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). This will be strengthened throughout 2024, through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence within the microchips sector to attract innovators, academics and industries to create advanced technology in our country,” said Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia.
Malta Ġusta: €370 miljun fuq sentejn b’appoġġ lejn l-intrapriżi kontra ż-żieda internazzjonali fil-prezz taż-żejt
Intrapriżi f’Għawdex u Malta ffrankaw madwar €370 miljun fil-kontijiet tal-elettriku fuq sentejn, grazzi għad-deċiżjoni tal-Gvern li jżomm il-prezzijiet tal-enerġija stabbli u jassorbi ż-żidiet fil-prezzijiet internazzjonali taż-żejt.
“L-ekonomija Maltija kibret għaxar darbiet aktar mil-medja Ewropea grazzi għal Gvern Laburista li ħa d-deċiżjoni li jassorbi ż-żieda fil-prezzijiet taż-żejt. B’din id-deċiżjoni proattiva, pajjiżna ipproteġa l-ekonomija filwaqt li pajjiżi oħra qed jesperjenzaw xejriet negattivi. F’Malta qed noħolqu ambjent li jiffavorixxi lin-negozji u individwi biex ikomplu jikbru. Riżultat ta’ dan, l-ekonomija rat żieda sinifikanti, b’rata ta’ tkabbir ta’ kważi għaxar darbiet aktar mill-medja Ewropea,” qalet il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża, Miriam Dalli.
Il-Ministru Dalli żaret il-kumpanija De La Rue, fejn bħalissa għaddej ix-xogħol t’espansjoni għal 29,000 metru kwadru, b’investiment multi miljunarju li se joħloq madwar 100 impjieg ġdid. It-tmexxija ta’ De La Rue spjegat kif il-kumpanija qed tinvesti f’fabbrika state of the art, b’operat effiċjenti u li jestendi l-użu tat-teknoloġija tal-Industry 4.0.
Il-kumpanija innotat kif l-assistenza tal-Gvern kienet kontribut maġġuri fit-teħid tad-deċiżjoni għall-espansjoni f’Malta.
Fl-indirizz tagħha, il-Ministru Dalli tenniet l-impenn tal-Gvern fl-għajnuna lin-negozji, li jkompli jmexxi ’l quddiem ekonomija bbażata fuq it-taħriġ bi prattiċi sostenibbli fejn l-innovazzjoni u l-ekonomija l-blu u l-ħadra qed ikomplu jikbru.
“Irduppjajna l-allokazzjoni finanzjarja għal proġetti u miżuri, amministrati minn Malta Enterprise, biex inkunu t’għajnuna għan-negozji u startups li qed jinvestu fir-riċerka, l-innovazzjoni, it-taħriġ, id-diġitizzazzjoni u l-effiċjenza fl-użu tal-enerġija, fost oħrajn. Allokazzjoni ta’ €60 miljun,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Għal darb’oħra, Malta Enterprise se terġa topera skemi li jżidu l-kompetittività fost in-negozji bħal Business Development, Business Start, Innovate – Innovation Aid for SMEs, Rent Subsidy Scheme, Research & Development, Skills Development, Smart & Sustainable Investment, Startup Finance Scheme u Micro Invest, fost l-oħrajn. L-Iskema popolari Get Qualified se terġa tiġi imnedija.
“Dan il-budget qed iġedded u jsaħħaħ skemi ffokati lejn strateġija ekonomika biex nattiraw l-innovazzjoni u nkomplu niddiversifikaw l-ekonomija f’setturi ġodda b’mod dirett. Dan filwaqt li jkompli jiftaħ opportunitajiet ġodda f’oqsma bħal tas-semiconductors fejn Malta hija waħda minn 16-il pajjiż li ġew approvati proġetti taħt l-Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). Dan ix-xogħol se nkomplu nsostnuh fl-2024 permezz ta’ Ċentru ta’ Kompetenza fil-qasam tal-microchips biex nattiraw innovaturi, akkademiċi u industriji li joħolqu l-iktar teknoloġija avvanzata f’pajjiżna,” qal il-Kap Eżekuttiv tal-Malta Enterprise Kurt Farrugia.