Updated 1010
Malta’s R&D Spending Rises to €140 Million in 2024, NSO Data Shows: Malta’s research and development (R&D) expenditure increased to €140.2 million in 2024, up €19.2 million from the previous year, according to the National Statistics Office. The spending represented 0.6% of GDP, with basic research accounting for the largest share and labour costs making up 67% of total expenditure. Engineering and technology received the highest proportion of R&D investment at 56.1%. A total of 3,760 people worked in R&D activities during 2024, while 2025 government R&D allocations focused mainly on social sciences. (Newsbook)
€75 Million Organic Waste Plant Begins Construction to Boost Malta’s Renewable Energy Capacity: Excavation works have started on Malta’s new organic waste processing facility, a €75 million project partly financed by around €45 million from the EU Cohesion Fund. The plant will more than double organic waste treatment capacity from 36,000 to over 74,000 tonnes annually, increasing renewable energy generation from 8.5 GWh to 20 GWh. Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and European Funds Minister Keith Azzopardi Tanti highlighted the project’s role in supporting Malta’s circular economy. The facility is expected to be completed within two years. (TVM News)
Malta and Italy Strengthen Cooperation on Migration, Security and Civil Protection: Malta’s Home Affairs and Security Minister Glenn Bedingfield met Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to reaffirm bilateral cooperation on migration, security, law enforcement and civil protection. The ministers discussed EU migration policies, including returns, cooperation with origin and transit countries, and measures to tackle irregular migration and smuggling. They highlighted reduced irregular arrivals in the Central Mediterranean and reviewed collaboration against organised crime and cross-border threats. Both sides committed to continued coordination to enhance regional stability, security and emergency preparedness. (TVM News)
Morning Briefing
Central Bank raises concerns over rising government running costs
The Central Bank of Malta has highlighted concerns over the growing cost of running government, pointing to a lack of detailed information on spending by autonomous public agencies. The Bank’s analysis found that while much of the increase in government expenditure can be linked to clear policy decisions, growth in more discretionary spending, particularly daily operational costs, is harder to explain. The report identified extra budgetary units (EBUs), which operate outside central government departments, as a significant contributor to this increase. The Central Bank called for greater transparency, recommending that more detailed information on the activities and finances of these agencies is included in official publications. The move would provide a clearer picture of public spending trends and improve fiscal accountability. (Maltatoday)
Malta continues progress towards eliminating Hepatitis C
Around 1,200 people in Malta have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C over the past three decades, but a national treatment programme launched in 2018 has helped almost 1,000 patients recover completely. Doctors are now encouraging anyone who may have been exposed to risk factors to take a simple blood test, as the virus can cause serious liver damage even without noticeable symptoms. Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted through contact with infected blood, including through sharing needles among people who inject drugs. However, modern treatments have made the condition highly curable, with patients typically requiring a daily tablet for 12 weeks, provided free of charge through Malta’s health services. On World Hepatitis C Day, health professionals stressed that prevention, early testing and healthier lifestyles remain key to protecting liver health. (TVM News)
Keith Schembri denies claims of insider knowledge in murder trial
Former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri took the witness stand in the trial of businessman Yorgen Fenech, denying any business dealings with him and rejecting claims that he had inside information about the investigation into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. Schembri spent more than two hours answering questions about his long-standing friendship with Fenech, his contacts with murder middleman Melvin Theuma and the events following Caruana Galizia’s killing in 2017. He told the court he had no involvement in the murder investigation, saying information he received came either through official briefings or media reports, rather than privileged access to the inquiry. Schembri said he would organise meetings concerning the murder investigation involving the Attorney General, investigators, army officials and other key figures. He told the court that Arnaud would usually request the meetings, while on some occasions the Prime Minister sought updates on the case. The meetings were held at Castille, but Schembri said his presence was brief, explaining that he would only attend for around five minutes to ensure everything was in order before leaving. (Times of Malta)
