Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/455578
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2015 4 News Fuel to go down by 4c tomorrow MIRIAM DALLI In the first of a series of monthly reductions, the price of fuel will go down by 4c tomorrow with pet- rol being sold at €1.38 and diesel at €1.31 per litre from the pump. Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi yesterday said that government cor- poration Enemed closed a number of deals on both fuel and currency prices. The reductions will come into ef- fect before a number of previous hedging agreements come to an end. "This means that we will be passing on the reductions to the consum- ers even before the new agreements come into force." He would not say what the ulti- mate price reduction will be due to commercially sensitive information. "All I can say at this stage is that the prices will be significantly cheaper," Mizzi said. Amid criticism levelled by the Op- position that the government had forced consumers to pay higher prices even though the international price of oil had fallen to under $50 a barrel, Mizzi said this was the sev- enth reduction coming into force during this legislature. "What I can ensure is that Enemed and the risk committee always hedged at the cheapest price possible." Mizzi insisted that the government was providing families and business with stability through short-term hedging and constant monitoring of markets. On Saturday, Brent crude spiked by 8% to $53 a barrel after oil compa- nies started cutting production plans due to the low cost of oil, prompted by Saudi Arabia keeping oil output high. "This is the highest spike in daily oil prices since 2009. In 2014 Malta benefitted from reduced fuel prices and stability which contribut- ed to a reduction in inflation and fur- ther economic growth," Mizzi said. He said this contrasted significant- ly with the previous administration where in the second half of 2008, oil prices dropped by 51% while energy prices increased by 20%. D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l ETC Permit 196/2014 About Us The Malta Statistics Authority (MSA) is the regulatory body established under the Malta Statistics Authority Act XXIV of 2000, and is currently seeking to fill the vacant post of Director General at the National Statistics Office (NSO). The position of Director General is the most senior position in the NSO and will attract an appropriate financial package. Job Purpose The Director General will report to the Malta Statistics Authority Board and is responsible for the management of the NSO, as specified in the Malta Statistics Authority Act of 2000. The NSO is responsible for the provision, on an impartial basis, of quantitative and representative information about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation in Malta. The Director General's main role is to ensure that the NSO fulfils its role by setting out its strategic vision and providing general direction to its various divisions, while ensuring that statistics are reliable, accurate and timely. The NSO forms part of the European Statistical System (ESS), and the Director General will represent the Office and the Maltese Government in international relations and commitments that relate to official statistics. The successful candidate will be expected to enter into a performance agreement with the relevant Authority and to sign a three-year contract of employment. Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree in the field of statistics, or a closely related numeric discipline, such as demography, economics or mathematics, or in the fields of education or the social sciences, or in the fields of finance, management or ICT, where a substantial part of the studies focuses on applied statistics; At least eight years professional experience in a statistical, numeric or economics-related field, the majority of which in a senior position; A substantial and mature background in administration or management, with a proven track record in motivating and leading teams towards completing planned projects; Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English, and knowledge of any other official EU language. A detailed job description of this position can be obtained from the Malta Statistics Authority. How to Apply Applicants are requested to submit an application letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae. Daytime contacts and certified copies of academic and professional certificates, transcripts, testimonials, conduct documents and other relevant documents must also be provided. All applications should be delivered by registered post. The envelope should be sealed and clearly marked 'Private and Confidential' and addressed to The Chairman, Malta Statistics Authority, National Statistics Office, Lascaris, Valletta, VLT 2000, Malta. The deadline for receipt of applications is strictly 9th February, 2015. Late applications will not be considered. All applications will be acknowledged after the closing date of applications. The Malta Statistics Act together with a detailed job description, are posted on the MSA website: www.msa.gov.mt MSA Malta Statistics Authority Awtorità tal-Istatistika ta' Malta Fuel price cut 'not enough' – Busuttil THE 4c reduction in the price of fuel was thanks to the result of pressure placed by the Opposition, PN leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday. Taking to Twitter, Busuttil said Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had "succumbed" to the PN's pressure, adding that the 4c reduction was "far from enough". For weeks, the PN has been calling on the government to drastically cut fuel prices. Yesterday it met with the social partners, encouraging them to support it on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to pressure the govern- ment to reduce prices. But when just a few hours later the government announced planned reductions for the coming months, starting with a €0.04 reduction to- morrow in both unleaded petrol and diesel prices, the PN said the deci- sion to cut prices by 4c was "risible". "This is nothing but a mockery, because the cuts do not reflect the prices that other families and busi- nesses in the EU are paying. Gov- ernment's prices remain higher than the EU average. Maltese families and businesses will still be paying the EU's fourth highest fuel prices on Monday. They deserve better than that. At the very least they should be treated the same as their EU coun- terparts," the PN said. "It is obvious that this decision is down to our pressure, and not be- cause the government really wants to reduce prices. Today's decision confirms how right the Opposition was in insisting that fuel prices de- crease." Busuttil said that while the gov- ernment was providing stability in prices, hedging was also locking in higher prices. He said that consum- ers should not bear the costs of high prices when Enemed, the govern- ment petroleum company, buys pe- troleum at a high price. "If the government locks prices at a higher rate [and prices then go down] the consumer should not bear the brunt of that mistake," Bu- suttil said. "Our policy was clear. Every time the international price of oil went down, a mechanism would kick in and the price of fuel would go down as well. This used to be announced at the end of the month by a simple press release. It would also go up accord- ing to the international price," Bu- suttil said, when asked whether he was in favour of a short-term or long-term hedging agreement. Member States Unleaded Diesel Netherlands € 1.46 € 1.19 Italy € 1.44 € 1.35 United Kingdom € 1.42 € 1.52 Denmark € 1.38 € 1.23 Malta € 1.38 € 1.31 Greece € 1.37 € 1.11 Finland € 1.35 € 1.27 Portugal € 1.31 € 1.13 Sweden € 1.30 € 1.32 Germany € 1.29 € 1.13 France € 1.27 € 1.10 Ireland € 1.26 € 1.20 Slovakia € 1.25 € 1.14 Slovenia € 1.24 € 1.16 Belgium € 1.23 € 1.07 Cyprus € 1.13 € 1.17 Croatia € 1.12 € 1.05 Spain € 1.12 € 1.06 Austria € 1.11 € 1.08 Romania € 1.10 € 1.15 Czech Republic € 1.08 € 1.11 Luxembourg € 1.08 € 0.98 Hungary € 1.07 € 1.12 Poland € 1.03 € 1.03 Latvia € 1.02 € 1.02 Lithuania € 1.01 € 0.99 Estonia € 0.99 € 1.05 Bulgaria € 0.96 € 1.00