Government must start using EU fund allocation - PN

The PN has urged government to start utilising the funds allocated to Malta by the EU as soon as possible and to continue to invest in education, research and development in order for Malta to remain competitive.

“The government is still not in a position to begin investing the 1.12 billion euros in EU funds allocated to Malta for the 2014-2020 period, in spite of being on the cusp of the 10th month of 2014”.

Opposition spokesperson for EU affairs, Marthese Portelli noted that it was troubling to see that Malta’s Partnership Agreement is still pending to date - meaning that the funds allocated to it cannot be used. She added that 18 schemes previously offered by Malta Enterprise with the help of EU funds have closed as a result.

Antoine Borg, PN spokesperson for European affairs, stressed that “Malta must begin to implement the EU funding programs as soon as possible in order for it to be able to make use of the available opportunities.”

Borg reiterated that the government must focus on the sectors that contribute most to Malta’s economic and social development, appealing to government to “set aside its rhetoric and begin to factually recognize the difficulties faced by business and industry,” and to utilise the funds to continue developing the country into an economic, social and environmental centre of excellence.