The Malta Employers' Association and the Federation of Industry congratulated Lawrence Gonzi and the Nationalist Party on their electoral victory.

The MEA recalled that in the run-up to the election it had presented a memorandum to the political parties urging them to base their policies on the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and pro-activity. Association president Pierre Fava said the government should forge ahead with its target to achieve a balanced budget by 2010 and to continue to invest heavily in education to ensure a supply of qualified labour to cater for the needs of major investment projects expected to materialise in the coming years.

The MEA appealed to both political parties to put the electoral mudslinging behind them now that the election was over and to focus on seeking consensus on issues of national importance.

"There are valid people elected on both sides of the House that can certainly contribute to face the challenges ahead and to guide the country towards further prosperity," it said.

The FOI said it looks forward to continue cooperating with the government for the furtherance of industrial and economic development, which is, after all, a common goal.

It said it would like to be given the opportunity to contribute effectively to the government's efforts at all levels in order to find the right equilibrium for developing further the economy and the creation of more wealth for the benefit of entrepreneurs and employees alike.

The FOI praised both parties for their political maturity during the polling and counting process over the weekend.