Updated 1715 – Online media review
The Times of Malta reports on today’s testimonies during the compilation of evidence case into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. At the end of today’s sitting, Magistrate Rachel Montebello denied Fenech bail once again. Gruesome details about the murder were also revealed, with a witness testifying that body parts were found in a tree three days after the assassination.
The Malta Independent reports that a Maltese teenager was amongst 10 arrested as police bust gang hijacking celeb phones.
TVM leads with an announcement that a public consultation will be held about areas earmarked for camping, caravans and picnics.
Newsbook says that a hacker was arrested in Malta in connection with US$ 100m cryptocurrency robbery.
Maltatoday notes that Malta’s economy set to grow by 4.5% this year, European Commission forecast shows. This would be the fourth highest in the bloc.
Updated 1500: Tourism key to economic recovery
The Maltese economy registered a severe contraction in 2020 with limitations on air traffic, tourism and social activities being mainly to blame for an expected fall in real GDP of around 9%, which came after robust growth of 5.3% in 2019. A strong recovery is forecasted for 2022, but this will depend on tourism levels picking up strongly.
These were the key conclusions of the European Commission’s Winter Economic Forecast. We look at the EC’s assessment in this detailed analysis.
Updated 1245
Covid-19 Update
151 new cases of coronavirus were reported by health authorities, with 156 persons recovering. This means that active cases drop slightly to 2,401. The cases were identified through 3,491 tests being carried out yesterday. No Covid-19 deaths were reported on Wednesday, meaning the fatality tally remains unchanged at 286.
44,598 doses of the Covid-19 vaccination were given until yesterday, with just under 13,000 being second doses.
Fewer bookings for Carnival weekend
The new restrictions imposed for Carnival weekend, including fines, had an impact on rentals in Gozo with bookings sharply down and Carnival in Gozo now looking like any “normal weekend”, according to the Gozo Tourism Association.
The association said it had received reports of cancellations made by property owners, operators and holidaymakers as a result of the fines that will be imposed for any extra and unlawful guests.
Updated 0840 – Newspaper Review
The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with the Director General of the Association of Credit Management, Josef Busuttil, who said that many companies still prefer to pay by cheque. He called for the digitalisation of business transactions.
Business Today quotes a report by Moody’s which gave Malta a positive assessment on governance. The credit rating agency said that the country enjoys a ‘strong institutional environment’ and a moderate debt burden.
The Independent quotes figures by WasteServ showing that Sliema and St Paul’s Bay generated the highest volume of mixed waste in 2020. Birkirkara, Mosta, and Qormi, the next three biggest localities, saw a reduction in mixed waste.
The Times reports on an accident that left businessman James Barbara and his wife suffering grievous injuries after they crashed into a house. The owner of the house described the ‘horrific’ scene.
Business Today speaks with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who said that some services by the MFSA were suspended until a new board of governors was appointed. He said that this led to delays in the reviewing and adjudication of bond issue applications.
L-Orizzont reports that amendments to anti-money laundering legislation seek to apply harsher penalties if fraudulent activities are linked to criminal organisations. The first reading of the Bill was presented in parliament this week.
In-Nazzjon says that various property owners who installed solar panels are complaining about electricity bills by ARMS, arguing that they are being charged at least the same amount as before.
The Times quotes a statement by the Gozo Tourism Authority which said that holiday accommodation bookings have dropped significantly following the introduction of stricter fines to avoid overcrowding during Carnival weekend.
The Malta Business Weekly quotes Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who said that the government is prepared to extend the wage supplement scheme beyond March to help the industry get back on its feet.
L-Orizzont speaks with PL election candidate Ray Abela who is calling for a free public animal hospital. He said that ‘out of control’ prices by vets may be prohibitive for families on low-to-medium incomes.
The Independent speaks to Animal Welfare Commissioner Alison Bezzina who said that wild animals should not be kept in homes or confined places. She was commenting on a recent case where two foxes were found dead on a road.
In-Nazzjon says that two Covid-19 patients died at Mater Dei hospital on Wednesday, the eighth and ninth victims since new measures were imposed five days ago. There are currently over 2,400 active cases of the virus.
Morning Briefing
AstraZeneca consignment is safe
The health authorities have confirmed that they been given official confirmation by AstraZeneca that the Covid-19 vaccine consignment sent to Malta earlier this week can be used.
Health officials had verified that the temperature of the vaccines had been maintained according to established criteria throughout their journey to Malta.
Addressing the press yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne noted that a query had arisen about one of the temperature recorders on the container carrying the vials, and although other recorders had worked properly, the health authorities wanted to ensure the vaccines were still good – a confirmation which had been given by AstraZeneca yesterday morning.
Archbishop calls for trust in science
Archbishop Charles Scicluna urged the faithful not to give up throughout these troubled times. Addressing the traditional St Paul’s festivity, the Archbishop said that although faith was crucial, we should have faith in science, with the latter being a tool Christ used to heal us. Our role however remains pivotal he said, urging all members of the community to work together to overcome the pandemic by taking the necessary measures to protect one another.
Scicluna also joined President George Vella in calling for a stronger sense of unity, urging the public to welcome this message and make it their own.
Moody’s predict good economic rebound but governance issues remain
Credit rating agency has left Malta’s classification at A2 Stable, indicating that it expects the Maltese economy to recover from the pandemic without significant lasting scars and public finances brought under control. Among the country’s strengths, Moody’s listed Malta’s track record of strong economic growth, elevated wealth levels and a moderate government debt burden.
On the other hand it said that “institutional challenges related to the rule of law, control of corruption and money laundering supervision remain,” while acknowledging some reforms on the matter. It said that it expected those reform efforts to be maintained, with systemic risks from the financial sector, “including those related to money laundering and the financing of terrorism” to be contained.
The report found that the pandemic and measures taken to halt its spread caused the Maltese economy to contract by 9.9 per cent of GDP year-on-year in the third quarter of 2020, a somewhat better performance than the 16.1 per cent year-on-year contraction in the second quarter.
The economic contraction was largely driven by a decline in net exports, above all through a sharp decline in tourism, although private consumption and investment also decreased last year.
Covid-19 Update
Health authorities reported 167 new cases and 165 recoveries on Wednesday, leaving the number of active cases stable at 2,406. The numbers were identified through 2,217 swabs.
Two persons died in the previous 24 hours, taking the death tally to 286.
CDE News
