PN to unveil ‘new industry no one is thinking about’, says Alex Borg

The Nationalist Party will soon unveil plans for a new economic sector “that no one is dreaming about”, Alex Borg said on Sunday, as he outlined plans for a new economic model for Malta.

Addressing a political event in Żurrieq, the PN leader said the party was working on introducing a new industry aimed at driving sustainable economic growth and improving the quality of life.

“This is an industry that I can guarantee no one is dreaming or thinking about,” he said. “We want to be the party that is always dreaming of a better future.”

He drew comparisons with past Nationalist administrations, which introduced sectors such as gaming and maritime services, and said the party was now aiming to replicate that success.

“We are ambitious and plan to make this dream a reality when the Nationalist Party is in government,” Borg said.

He did not provide details about the proposed industry, saying further information would be announced in the coming days.

Asset declarations pledge

Borg also pledged that a PN government would publish annual asset declarations by ministers and MPs, including those of their spouses.

The promise came after the government tabled legal amendments that water down current requirements. Under current rules, ministers must provide a statement of their assets and interests to the Cabinet Secretary. The proposed government changes would delete this requirement.

Borg criticised the move, saying it raised concerns about transparency.

“Why does the government not want to publish its ministers' assets?” he asked, adding that similar questions had arisen in the case of former minister Roderick Galdes.

Galdes resigned in January following reports linking him to property deals involving developers engaged by his ministry.  

Alex Borg speaking in Zurrieq on Sunday. (PN photo).

When asked whether the PN was prepared for an early election, Borg said it was gearing up, although no date had been indicated. 

“Do you know what the pity is? For the past four years, the Labour Party has been dragging its feet, but now, because it’s feeling the pressure, it has started making promises and announcing massive projects. Every week it’s announcing new open spaces,” he said, pointing out, however, that facts spoke louder than words and the main Ta' Qali picnic remained full of dust.

The people were realising that the government has no credibility on the environment as well as other sectors such as healthcare. 

He also spoke about the party's promise to reduce VAT for restaurants from 18% to 7%. The proposal was welcomed by catering establishments but  Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said it would be too expensive, he noted.

The Opposition leader said the PN is committed to raising the standard of living and would support families through various means, such as a new Child Trust Fund which would allocate €5,000 for every newborn child.

The PN, he said, was also setting the national agenda when it raised the possibility of introducing a four-day week. 

Borg mentioned how, earlier this week, he addressed an EPP Summit in Brussels, where he urged immediate EU action over threats directly impacting the Mediterranean, such as the stricken Russian shadow fleet tanker Artic Metagaz which was drifting in the central Mediterranean after having allagedly been attacked. 

“I wanted to ensure that our national security is highlighted and protected at a European level,” Borg said.