Updated 1100
Borg Calls for National Agreement on Malta’s Economic Future: Opposition Leader Alex Borg has called for long-term planning and greater investment in infrastructure, energy, education and digitalisation to support sustainable economic growth. Speaking at pre-Budget meetings with the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of SMEs, the Nationalist Party leader highlighted concerns over electricity generation and distribution, declining capital expenditure and the need for more ambitious investment in renewable energy and transport. Borg said economic growth must deliver tangible benefits for businesses and families. The Chamber of Commerce called for a cross-party agreement on national priorities, arguing that growth must increasingly rely on productivity, skills, technology and innovation rather than population growth and longer working hours. The Chamber presented more than 150 Budget proposals, while the Chamber of SMEs stressed the need for a collective, holistic approach to addressing the country’s challenges. (TVM News)
Government Rejects MAM Claims Over Health Centre Testing Machines: The government has rejected the Medical Association of Malta’s (MAM) claims that new point-of-care testing machines were introduced without consultation, saying discussions with doctors began in 2024. MAM has called for the equipment’s removal, citing concerns over its suitability for primary healthcare, patient safety and waiting times. The union also raised concerns about procurement costs exceeding €4.5 million and issued industrial directives prohibiting doctors from using or training on the machines. The Health Ministry said doctors contributed to procurement and clinical guidelines, adding that machine use remained at their clinical discretion. It argued the equipment would provide faster results, support earlier diagnosis, reduce unnecessary hospital referrals and improve treatment closer to home. The government also defended restrictions on union representatives’ access to health centres, saying prior authorisation was required to protect patient privacy and clinical services. It said it remained open to discussions with MAM. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Malta’s first crematorium approved in Siġġiewi
The Planning Authority has approved Malta’s first full planning application for a crematorium, with the Siġġiewi project given the green light by seven votes to two despite objections from the local council, residents as well as a former Minister and MP. The facility, proposed by funeral undertaker Mario Tonna, will be built beside the historic Ta’ Brija cemetery on around 11,615 square metres of land outside the development zone. It will include a crematorium, chapel, mortuary and space for 2,480 urns. Siġġiewi mayor Ryan Cachia and NGO representative Romano Cassar voted against the application. Objectors raised concerns about emissions, health risks, agricultural land and the location of the development. They also questioned whether the facility would be commercially viable without importing bodies from overseas. The PA’s case officer recommended approval, treating the project as an extension of the existing cemetery. A separate crematorium proposal near the Addolorata cemetery in Paola received outline approval last month but still requires a full development permit. (Times of Malta)
Electricity supply rises 3.2% in 2025
Malta’s electricity supply increased by 3.2% to 3,207.1 GWh in 2025, although growth was around half the 6.5% recorded in 2024, according to the National Statistics Office. Average annual electricity demand rose 2.9% to 492 MW, compared with 1.8% growth the previous year. July accounted for the largest share of annual supply at 11.3%, while demand peaked at 637 MW, followed by 585 MW in August. Power plants provided 56.5% of total supply, net imports 32.1% and renewable sources 11.3%. Domestic gross production increased 1.6%, while electricity imported through the interconnector rose 6.2% to 1,031 GWh. The figures come as Malta experienced another nationwide power cut on Wednesday, with Enemalta attributing the outage to human error. July also recorded the highest monthly electricity output at 239.7 GWh. (Maltatoday)
MMF raises ETS concerns with Parliament
The Malta Maritime Forum (MMF) has warned that the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for maritime transport is causing competition distortions and carbon and business leakage, despite supporting the EU’s decarbonisation objectives. Addressing Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, MMF chairman Godwin Xerri and vice chairman Alex Montebello said ships continued to traverse the same seas but were increasingly diverting transhipment operations away from EU ports. The Forum said this undermined the ETS’s climate objectives while encouraging investment in new transhipment facilities outside the EU. It warned that Malta’s dependence on global maritime connectivity left it particularly exposed to the loss of mainline services, with knock-on effects on feeder services, port operations, bunkering, shipping agencies and manufacturing. The MMF said reduced connectivity could also encourage industries to relocate due to market proximity and limited export channels, resulting in job losses, weaker investment and a deterioration in Malta’s balance of payments. (The Malta Independent)
