Prime Minister – Budget 2014 will hold ‘no surprises’

Expect no surprises in Budget 2014 as much of its content will focus on the Labour's electoral programme.

Addressing journalists following a visit at Ascent Software in Luqa, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the pre-budget document would be issued shortly while consultation meetings with social and civil partners will start imminently. 

The budget is expected to be presented between mid-October and mid-November.

"But there won't be any surprises. The budget will be based on the electoral programme and will cater for the projects announced throughout this year," Muscat said.

He reiterated he wanted a new budget preparation system, whereby a more concise pre-budget document in the form of a green paper is published and beefed up with recommendations put forward during the consultations meetings.

Quizzed by the press over his home affairs minister's declaration of almost €500,000 in cash which he declared in parliament, Muscat said Manuel Mallia "had not forgotten any Swiss bank accounts", in a jibe at former Nationalist minister Austin Gatt.

Touring the premises of Ascent Software, Joseph Muscat said the government was aiming to have more home-grown companies exporting their expertise abroad.

"Attracting foreign investment is important but we must also encourage innovative Maltese products which are exported," he said.