Fil-Previżjoni tagħha tar-Rebbiegħa, li ġiet ippubblikata t-Tlieta 5 ta’ Mejju, il-Kummissjoni Ewropea tbassar li l-ekonomija Maltija se jibqa’ jkollha riżultati tajbin ħafna, b’perspettiva makroekonomika favorevoli u b’aktar tnaqqis fid-defiċit tal-Baġit.

Il-Kummissjoni tirrikonoxxi li l-miri tad-defiċit ta’ 2.7 fil-mija għall-2013 u ta’ 2.1 fil-mija għall-2014 intlaħqu u tistenna li d-defiċit jibqa’ jonqos għal 1.8 fil-mija fl-2015 u għal 1.5 fil-mija fl-2016.

Tirrikonoxxi wkoll li t-tkabbir ekonomiku ta’ Malta fl-aħħar kwart tas-sena l-oħra kien jirrappreżenta l-ogħla rata ta’ tkabbir fl-aħħar erba’ snin. Il-fatturi li l-aktar li kkontribwew għat-tkabbir robust irreġistrat fl-2014 kienu tkabbir qawwi fil-konsum privat, investiment aktar bil-qawwi, u n-nefqa tal-Gvern f’setturi produttivi.

Il-Kummissjoni tistenna li l-muturi ewlenin tat-tkabbir se jkunu l-investiment f’għadd kbir ta’ proġetti fuq skala kbira fl-oqsma tal-kostruzzjoni u tal-enerġija, kif ukoll il-konsum privat, u dan jirrifletti żieda fl-introjtu disponibbli u sentiment favorevoli fost il-konsumaturi. Fattur ewlieni ieħor li kkontribwixxa għat-tkabbir kienet żieda sostanzjali fl-assorbiment tal-fondi mill-UE.

Il-Kummissjoni tistenna li l-fatt li r-rati tal-imgħax qed jitbaxxew se jiffaċilita l-finanzjament għall-impriżi, u dan għandu jwassal għal tnaqqis fil-kost tal-finanzjament għall-impriżi mikro u żgħar.

Il-ħolqien tax-xogħol u r-rata tal-qgħad huma mistennija jkunu aħjar minn dawk tal-pajjiżi sħabna fiż-żona tal-ewro. Il-Kummissjoni tirrikonoxxi li l-ħolqien dinamiku tal-postijiet tax-xogħol se jibqa’ jikkontribwixxi għaż-żieda fil-livell tal-attività ekonomika f’Malta.

“Sodisfatt bil-fatt li l-Kummissjoni Ewropea qed tagħraf li l-mutur ewlieni tat-tkabbir ekonomiku f’Malta huwa l-investiment,” qal il-Ministru għall-Finanzi, il-Prof. Edward Scicluna. Huwa żied jgħid li hija l-istabbiltà ekonomika, li hija l-frott ta’ tmexxija fiskali tajba, li attirat u se tkompli tattira dan l-investiment.

European Commission projects Malta’s Economy to remain Strong

In its Spring Forecast, issued on Tuesday 5 May, the European Commission projects Malta’s economic performance to remain robust with a favourable macroeconomic outlook and a further decline in the budget deficit.

Indeed, it recognises that the deficit targets of 2.7 per cent and 2.1 per cent for both 2013 and 2014 respectively, were met and expects the deficit to continue declining to 1.8 per cent in 2015 and 1.5 per cent in 2016.

It recognises that Malta’s economic growth in the final quarter of the year marked the highest growth rate in the last 4 years. Robust growth in private consumption, stronger investment and Government expenditure in productive sectors were the main contributors behind the robust growth attained in 2014.

The Commission expects the main drivers of growth to be investment in a number of large-scale construction and energy projects as well as private consumption reflecting an increase in disposable incomes and favourable consumer sentiment. A substantial increase in EU funds absorption, mostly in 2015, is also expected to be a main driver of growth.

The Commission expects the falling interest rates to ease access to finance for firms bringing about a reduction in the cost of financing for micro and small enterprises.

Job creation and the unemployment rate are expected to outperform euro-area peers. The Commission expects the dynamic job creation to continue to contribute to the increased level of economic activity in Malta.

“Very pleased that the Commission acknowledges investment to be the main driver behind Malta’s economic growth,” said Minister for Finance, Prof. Edward Scicluna. He added that economic stability, brought about by good fiscal governance, is what has attracted and will continue to attract this investment.