New Year's opportunity in the face of adversity

The year 2008 was certainly a successful one for Malta and the Maltese.

New jobs were created especially in the new sectors of the economy. Tecom investments of Dubai set up base in Malta through the SmartCity project which will create a minimum of 5,600 new jobs and several financial services companies set up base or expanded their business creating hundreds of new jobs.

It was a good year for tourism with thousands of tourists choosing Malta as their holiday destination and a record number of tourists visiting Malta by cruise liner.

More students graduated from University, MCAST and ITS, an added bonus to Malta's competitiveness.

The year 2008 shall go down in history as the year when Malta reached its financial and economic targets as required by the Maastricht criteria to join the eurozone which has opened up wide opportunities for investment and the creation of new, well-paid jobs.

The year 2009 will not be an easy one. The effects of the credit crunch and the various countries going through a recession will surely impact our economy. Yet the Maltese are resilient and will surely face the challenges that come our way with courage and determination. So far we have proved able to stand up to any challenge that comes our way, and turn it into a new opportunity. Let's continue doing so!