Il-momentum qawwi li rajna fl-ekonomija Maltija matul l-2013 u l-2014 mistenni jibqa’ għaddej din is-sena. Ċifri ppubblikati mill-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika juru li l-ekonomija Maltija kibret b’4 fil-mija f’termini reali fl-ewwel kwart tal-2015 filwaqt li, f’termini nominali, espandiet b’6 fil-mija. Din ir-rata ta’ tkabbir ekonomiku hija saħansitra aktar notevoli meta mqabbla mat-tkabbir medju ta’ 1 fil-mija li ġie rreġistrat fiż-Żona tal-Ewro fl-istess perjodu.
STQARRIJA GĦALL-ISTAMPA MAĦRUĠA MILL-MINISTERU GĦALL-FINANZI
“Dawn ir-riżultati tajbin ħafna huma l-frott tal-viżjoni ta’ dan il-Gvern li jwettaq riformi strutturali biex ikabbar il-prodott potenzjali filwaqt li jreġġa’ l-finanzi pubbliċi tagħna lura fuq il-binarji t-tajbin,” qal il-Ministru tal-Finanzi Edward Scicluna.
Ċertament, it-tkabbir ekonomiku kien mirfud minn żieda fil-fiduċja tal-konsumatur b’riżultat ta’ livelli ogħla ta’ xogħol, rati ta’ qgħad storikament baxxi, u kapaċità tal-akkwist li qed tiżdied. Fil-fatt, fl-ewwel kwart tal-2015, il-konsum privat kiber bi 2.5 fil-mija jew €23.6 miljun meta mqabbel mal-istess perjodu tal-2014, filwaqt li l-pagi u salarji medji għolew b’4.2 fil-mija jew €36.3 miljun. Dan jikkonferma li t-tkabbir ekonomiku qed jissarraf f’opportunitajiet aħjar għall-familji Maltin. Dawn ir-riżultati pożittivi huma sostnuti wkoll minn stqarrija maħruġa dan l-aħħar mill-Eurostat, li turi li l-Maltin jinsabu ‘l fuq mill-medja tal-Unjoni Ewropea f’termini ta’ sodisfazzjon fir-rigward tal-postijiet tax-xogħol u tas-sitwazzjoni finanzjarja tagħhom.
Iċ-ċifri uffiċjali juru wkoll li t-tkabbir ekonomiku seħħ fuq bażi wiesgħa, bi tkabbir irreġistrat fi kważi kull settur tal-ekonomija. Ġie rreġistrat tkabbir partikolarment qawwi fis-settur tal-finanzi u l-assigurazzjoni (11.9 fil-mija), u fis-settur professjonali, xjentifiku u tekniku (11.2 fil-mija). Żidiet oħra notevoli fis-settur privat ġew irreġistrati fl-attivitajiet tal-proprjetà immobbli, tal-biedja u s-sajd, tal-kummerċ bl-ingrossa u bl-imnut, kif ukoll tal-informazzjoni u l-komunikazzjoni.
Anki l-profittabbiltà tal-kumpaniji u n-negozji tjiebet sostanzjalment, b’6.1 fil-mija jew €46.7 miljun. Dan għandu jibqa’ jgħin biex tiġi sostnuta l-enerġija mġedda li biha l-impriżi privati qed jinvestu fl-ekonomija Maltija, li min-naħa tagħha se tkompli tikkontribwixxi għall-kapaċità produttivà tal-ekonomija tagħna.
Strong economic growth set to continue in 2015
The strong momentum exhibited by the Maltese economy during 2013 and 2014 is set to continue during this year. Figures published by the NSO show that the Maltese economy grew by 4 per cent in real terms during the first quarter of 2015 while in nominal terms, it expanded by 6 per cent. Such growth rate is even more remarkable when compared to an average growth of 1 per cent registered in the Euro Area for the same period.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY FOR FINANCE
“These highly positive outcomes are the result of this Government’s vision of implementing structural reforms to raise potential output while putting our public finances back on track,” Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna said.
Indeed, economic growth was underpinned by increasing consumer confidence on the back of higher employment levels, historically low unemployment rates and increasing purchasing power. In fact, during the first quarter of 2015, private consumption increased by 2.5 per cent or €23.6 million compared to the same period of 2014 while the average wages and salaries increased by 4.2 per cent or €36.3 million confirming that economic growth is being translated into better opportunities to the Maltese families. These positive outcomes are also backed by a recent Eurostat release showing that the Maltese place above the average of the EU in terms of satisfaction with regards jobs and their financial situation.
Official figures also show that economic growth was broad based, with growth registered in almost all sectors of the economy. Particularly strong increases were registered in the financial and insurance sector (11.9 per cent), and the professional, scientific and technical sector (11.2 per cent). Other notable private sector increases were also recorded in real estate activities, agriculture and fishing, wholesale and retail trade and information and communication.
The profitability of firms and businesses has also improved substantially by 6.1 per cent or €46.7 million. This should continue to help sustain the renewed energy by which private enterprises are investing in the Maltese economy which in turn will further contribute to the productive capacity of our economy.
– Monday, 8th June, 2015