De Marco calls for new economic niches

The government must strive to develop new economic niches if it wants a diversified economy that competed with the challenges of a globalised economy, PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said.

“Diversifying our economy does not mean abandoning our traditional niches but providing for an economy to meet today’s challenges,” de Marco said.

Flanked by MEP candidate Stefano Mallia and incumbent Roberta Metsola, de Marco addressed the media at the Safi Aviation Park, where he said the PN government had heavily invested for the aviation industry to provide new jobs.

“Digital, creative and green economy are the new niches which this government should tap in and invest heavily. These clusters could lead to a diversified economic growth were more quality jobs are created,” de Marco said.

Conceding that the economy was growing and new jobs were being created, de Marco however said that manufacturing, exports and the construction industry have suffered a downturn.

“During 2013, exports fell by 20%. According to Eurostat figures, Malta suffered the biggest loss in exports figures across the EU.”

Figures also showed that unemployment rose to 6.9%: “There are 8,000 registering for work and third of the jobs created were with the public sector. The problem is that the rate of jobs created is not meeting the demand.”

Urging government to come up with an action plan for work, de Marco said the government should develop tailor-made schemes which would attract companies in the digital gaming competing with Canada and Singapore.