Malta Country Profile

Chief of State: Guido De Marco
Prime Minister: Edward Fenech Adami
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Joe Borg

Area: 316 km²
Population: 394,641 inhabitants
Capital: La Valletta
Language: Maltese, English
Currency: Maltese lira
Unemployment: 6.9%

GDP: 4.19 billion euro
Per Capita GDP: 10,610 euro
Growth Rate: 3%
Inflation: 2.2%
Debt/GDP: 65.7% (2001)
Deficit/GDP: -6.1%
Eurostat 2002

Country

Malta - whose territory includes the island of Malta, the islands of Gozo and Comino, and other minor islands - is a Parliamentary Republic, with a unicameral Parliament. It was a British colony from 1800 until its independence on 21 September 1964. The Republic was proclaimed on 13 December 1974. The Chamber of Representatives is made up of 65 members elected every five years. This single member constituency system permits a plurality premium. The last general election was called by the government after the referendum result favouring EU membership, and took place on 12 April 2003. The Nationalist Party held on to the government with 51.8% of the votes, while the Labour Party took 47.5%.

Foreign Policy

Malta is a member of various international organisations and institutions including the United Nations, OSCE, the Commonwealth and the Council of Europe. It is now making preparations to join the European Union on 1 May 2004. Negotiations for EU membership, which had begun in 1990, were interrupted by the Labour government, which insisted on strict neutrality for this island country. The nationalists took up negotiations once more in 1998 and campaigned for membership up to the referendum approval of EU membership.

Economy

Malta's main resources are its favourable geographic position and an efficient labour force. The Republic of Malta produces only 20% of its food needs, has little water and no energy sources of its own. Its economy therefore depends on international trade, tourism and manufacturing;72% of the GDP is generated by the services sector. The industry sector (electronics, food, textiles and tobacco) accounts for 26% of the national income, and farming for 3%. According to European Commission forecasts, Malta's GDP should rise by 3.1% in 2003.

Links

Government
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Source: Italian EU Presidency 2003