“The Nationalist Party has always believed that small and medium-sized businesses and the self-employed are the backbone of country’s economy. More than 96% of private companies in Malta are small and medium businesses and self-employed.

“Therefore, SMEs are creating thousands of workplaces and should be given all the help needed to succeed.”

This was stated by the Head of the Nationalist Party Simon Busuttil, during a visit to the Arkadia Complex in Victoria, Gozo.

The Head of the Nationalist Party was accompanied by General Secretary Chris Said, the spokesperson for Gozo Giovanna Debono, as well as Frederick Azzopardi and candidates for election to the European Parliament, Kevin Cutajar and Francis Zammit Dimech.

Simon Busuttil said that the Nationalist Party has always believed in small businesses and always worked so that businesses and shops in Gozo are given all the necessary support to develop and create jobs.

He said that the Nationalist Party has worked hard to ensure that European ERDF funding is allocated specifically for SMEs, it had introduced the Small Business Act, launched a scheme of tax credits known as MicroInvest with greater incentives for Gozitan businesses, as well as schemes that were launched to make local bank interest rates more advantageous.

‘The Nationalist Party has always worked and will continue working for small and medium businesses to move forward, because healthy businesses mean more jobs for a Better Malta,” said Simon Busuttil.

The Head of the Nationalist Party said that unfortunately, a year of Labour Government had not led to new ideas for businesses in Malta and Gozo, except the continuinuation of some schemes that were initiated during the previous legislature.

Simon Busuttil said that data issued by the National Statistics Office show that “sales in the retail sector – such as stores located in Arkadia Complex – dropped 5 times in the last 7 months of 2013, while the year before sales were the best when compared to other countries of the European Union. This has been a powerful blow to the island,” stressed the Leader of the Opposition.

The Nationalist Party Leader stressed that businesses need special attention in Gozo. That is why Members of Parliament elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party will continue to work towards initiatives that attract investment to the islands, which will also benefit Gozo, with specific incentives for those investing in this island.

He recalled that it was the Nationalist Party that worked to commit 10% of European Union funding for the island of Gozo and its businesses. “So in this election PN is working to be the first to get the third seat in the European Parliament in order to continue working for a Better Gozo.

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