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4 NEWS 27.10.2022 NSO figures show that, in the first half of 2022, the total expenditure on contributory and noncontributory social benefits rose by €32.6m over the same period in 2021 and by €60.1m over the half of 2020. The increased expenditure on social benefits in the first half of 2022 pushed the total social protection expenditure in the same period to €987.6 million, putting its overall share of GDP at an estimated 14.7 per cent. social benefits THE Malta Maritime Forum (MMF) said it was disappointed to note that none of its proposals had been includ- ed in the government's Budget for 2023, but said it would continue to pursue the matters with the authorities for the long-term benefit of the Industry. In its reaction to the Budget speech this week, the MMF acknowledged the Government's decision to cushion the economy from the significant hikes in the cost of fuel and energy at an inter- national level. "is is a positive development in terms of safeguarding the competi- tiveness of local operators in a fiercely competitive regional market given that fuel and energy are important elements in the cost-structures of maritime busi- ness operations over a number of sec- tors not least transport, logistics, ter- minal operations, ship repair and ship services," it said in a statement. e Forum welcomed the declared ambition for the country to continue to consolidate its leading position in terms of ship registrations but insisted there is much more to the maritime industry than ship registrations. ere is much more that is expected from the author- ities to support the maritime industry than the promotion of the flag-state, it said. In fact, in the run-up to the Budget, the MMF had submitted nine proposals aimed at supporting the industry and businesses within it to grow sustainably. It highlighted the need for better plan- ning and stronger focus on the mari- time industry when it comes to charting the way forward for the industry in line with holistic strategies at the national level. e MMF's flagship proposals called for the re-establishment of a national Maritime Authority for Malta, and a dedicated Maritime Court. e Forum said it also welcomed generic initiatives announced in the Budget Speech which are also appli- cable to the maritime industry such as that concerning a digital innovation hub for the purposes of facilitating the digital transformation of Maltese busi- nesses. "is is encouraging in terms of the challenge of digitalisation and similar measures have been called for by the MMF in the past," it said. e Budget also included mari- time-specific initiatives such as the continued digitalisation project of the maritime registry and the ongoing up- grading of maritime infrastructure in- cluding dredging works in Maltese har- bours. "Of course, dredging works are crucial to ensure safe access to private conces- sions for the purposes of terminal oper- ations and ship-repair in particular," the MMF said. "Such works ensure uninterrupted commercial operations in such conces- sions in the face of continuous changes at the sea-bed level which mainly oc- cur due to deposits caused by rain and storms." Similarly, the MMF welcomed the pro- posed extensions of Pinto and Lascaris wharves and said it firmly believes the planning and timing of these works and coordination with related private-sec- tor stakeholders is crucial to ensure minimal disruption to operations and commitments with key international players in the industry. THE Gozo Tourism Association has be- moaned the absence in the Government Budget for 2023 of a commitment to ring-fence the eco-contribution funds collected from Gozitan accommoda- tion for tourism projects on Gozo. In its reaction to the budget speech, the GTA said that the budget was pre- pared during a particular time when worldwide economies are under the strains of the Ukraine war and during a period when the tourism sector is still in recovery mode from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. e GTA said that, in the short term, the budget ensures the sustainability of the business activity, as well as the well- being of the low-income earners, pen- sioners and workers battling to keep up with the rising cost of living. "e measures listed in this budget aim to cushion the economic challenges while safeguarding and sustaining eco- nomic growth," it said. In this regar the Budget continues to subsidise the increase in costs of the utility bills and cereals. "ese measures will assist not only families but will keep businesses afloat that would be otherwise crippled by ris- ing costs." Amongst measures relating to tour- ism, the budget includes the introduc- tion of a scheme - proposed by the Gozo Tourism Association - intended to at- tract long-stay tourists to the Island, particularly between the November and March period, to continue mitigating seasonality on Gozo. Other measures affecting the Gozitan touristic sector refer to the inter-island connectivity, including the develop- ment of the rural airfield in Xewkija and the public service obligation contract for the operation of the fast ferry service between Mgarr and Valletta. REACTIONS TO BUDGET 2023 'Much more to maritime industry than promotion of flag-state' - MMF Budget measures will 'keep business afloat' - Gozo Tourism Association

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