Integrated maritime national strategy committee set up

An integrated maritime national strategy committee, chaired by parliamentary secretary for economic growth Edward Zammit Lewis, has been set up.

The committee's mandate is to develop, monitor and evaluate the implementation process of a national integrated maritime policy. It will set up a sustainable strategy for the government's vision and manage maritime related activities by adopting an integrated vision across maritime related policies and activities.

"An integrated approach will help to instigate the potential of Malta's maritime sector and encourage the creation of quality jobs and economic growth," Zammit Lewis said, addressing reporters during the launch of the committee.

The committee will be supporting the parliamentary secretariat to develop the necessary structures that will support Malta's blue economy - shipping, passenger ferry services, coastal environmental protection, marine renewable energy, coastal cruise maritime tourism and offshore oil drilling among others.

Zammit Lewis explained that Malta has always placed its blue economy high on its agenda.

"The recent initiatives taken up by the European Commission have given the political impetus to work both at EU and national policymaking levels in order to further stimulate growth within this area, with particular focus on the competitiveness of the marine and mariting sectors," he said.

He added that there is still urgent need to instil a culture of integrated actions and integrated policy development.

The committee's first task will be to identify the issues which directly affect Malta and to compile a consultation document. Zammit Lewis said there will be consultation sessions with relevant entities and stakeholders in the marine and maritime sector. The committee will then discuss all recommendations and compile a policy document, which will be presented to the Cabinet for final approval.

The junior minister said the policy would be in place by 2014.

Zammit Lewis will also be chairing the committee, and will be joined by Economy Ministry permanent secretary Paulanne Mamo as deputy chairperson, integrated maritime policy focal point Ian Cilia Pisani as committee secretary, and members Glorianne Borg, Michelle Borg, Andria Buhagiar, Andrew Buhagiar, Albert Caruana, Randall Caruana, Nadine Castillo, Elaine Cutajar, Suzanne Gauci, David Kerr, Andrew Mallia, Maria Pia Pace, Ivan Sammut and Godwin Sant.

All appointed persons are senior representatives responsible for the relevant marine and maritime sectors spread across a number of government departments and authorities.