Chamber wants passport cash to be used for multi-modal transport system

Malta’s major employers’ body has said money reaped from the sale of passports to the global elite should be used to finance a “holistic transport strategy” that will shift towards a multi-modal transport system. 

The proposal was made in a statement for Budget 2019, where the Chamber of Commerce called for a “carrying capacity analysis” for Malta on economic, social and environmental impacts of its growth. 

“Let’s capitalise on past successes and plan long-term in the run-up to the annual Budget,” the Chamber has proposed in its pre-budget document to an internal consultation process. 

In total the Chamber made 30 key recommendations which include well over 60 practical measures for inclusion in the Budget document for 2019. 

“Now that the country has achieved unprecedented growth rates, full employment, consecutive fiscal surpluses and relative price stability, the Chamber reiterates its call on government to capitalise on the present situation to invest in the necessary infrastructure and safeguard future sustainability.  

“The context in which the Budget for next year is being designed, is that of a dynamic business environment characterised by numerous internal and external challenges. For this reason, the Chamber calls for further competitive enhancing measures with a view to protect the recent economic achievements and ensure further sustainable growth.” 

The Chamber also wants Identity Malta to be better resourced and streamline procedures for recruiting third-country national employees, while also embark on international marketing campaign show-casing jobs and quality of life in Malta; 

The Chamber also said a new national competitiveness agency should be created to ensure that the economy is not hampered by “new and excessive regulations, measures and taxes which negatively impact competitiveness”.