[WATCH] Muscat promotes bipartisan economic agenda

A new Labour government would appoint a bipartisan economic team to consult the government in its quest to boost economic growth, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said.

Speaking outside the electoral office in Valletta, Muscat explained that his government would appoint "a bipartisan team to promote policies and identify new economic niches."

Asked why he felt the need to appoint a bipartisan team, Muscat said "this bipartisan team doesn't mean we are short of ideas but it's our method to tackle economic growth."

In his early start to the ninth day of electioneering, the Labour leader also announced that a new government would issue a call for new projects to put on the agenda as long as these would create good quality jobs.

He explained that these projects could vary from infrastructural projects such as for the White Rocks site in Pembroke to transport projects in the Grand Harbour.

"This call for ideas should be open to everyone with ideas on various sectors and it will not be a one-time call," Muscat said.

He noted that the idea was welcomed by many individuals and companies who said they were interested in putting new ideas forward. Muscat said that this positive reaction convinced Labour to receive such ideas so government could work on them or propose it to the private sector.

Another proposal floated by Muscat was the appointment of an anti-bureaucracy commissioner. "This does not mean the creation of a new structure but an such an appointment would address the problems created by excessive bureaucracy."

Muscat explained that Labour's battle cry against bureaucracy was backed by a number of organisations as one of the biggest problems hindering their work. However, he added that a new Labour government had no intention of reducing workers from the public service.

The aim of a new Labour government would be to reduce bureaucratic burden by 25%, Muscat said.

The Opposition leader added that a new Labour government would remove archaic laws and carry out a thorough review of business laws.

"We are looking at the implementation of the one in one out principle. Each time a law is introduced, the old one must be removed. It's an important challenge because we cannot simply legislate and let outdated laws remain."

Muscat added that sunset clauses would be introduced, a concept largely practiced in the EU which annuls laws which are not renewed.

"One of our most ambitious projects is the introduction of a single business permit which will pack together all necessary permits for a business to operate," Muscat said.

He said this would see the creation of a one-stop shop where applicants will be assisted. This would build upon the Business First concept introduced by the Nationalist, which Muscat said needed to be improved.