Malta goes up in competitiveness index, but down on trust in politicians, judiciary and police

The World Economic Forum’s global competitiveness index found Malta’s burden of government regulation, in terms of the most 'problematic factors for doing business', had tipped the furthest by eight places over last year.

The WEF Global Competitiveness Index for 2010/11 places Malta at the 50th place, ahead of India (51), South Africa (54), Brazil (58) and Russia (63).

Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, the United States and Germany top the chart in the first five places.

However, an analysis of the world rankings on global competitiveness reveals that when compared to the rest of the world over last year’s results, Malta has slipped back three places where public trust of politicians is concerned and is now ranked 33.

While we rank 48 in the world on irregular payments and bribes, judicial independence also fell two places to 33rd place, while reliability of police services fell by a staggering five points to 35th place.

Another interesting statistic to note is a place backwards (46) where favouritism in decisions of government officials.

Malta ranks 85th in world in quality of electricity supply, while quality of infrastructure fell by 13 places, same ranking in quality of roads.

Malta has slipped back 15 places where inflation is concerned (50) and two places (111) in government debt.

An internal survey revealed how 21 per cent of Maltese interviewed by the WEF blame government bureaucracy for national inefficiencies, while 11.3 per cent complained about inadequate supply of infrastructure, and 8.2 per cent on inflation.

Corruption stood at 3.8 per cent, while political instability at 3.1 per cent.

On a positive note, Malta ranks second in the world for fixed telephony access (up two places from last year) and moved up three places (20) in quality of port infrastructure, and 10 places (21) in quality of air transport infrastructure.

Banks' soundness has moved up three places (10) and another three places in regulation of securities exchanges (12).