Planning for an unaided economy by 1979

Abstract

The Maltese economy is one characterised by wrong development. It suffered a distortion by the island being used for over 460 years as a fortress. This military use poured into the island enormous wealth which made for n lopsided economic development. A major characteristic accompanying the island's wealth was its precariousness. It was always in danger of being swept away overnight. Malta's struggle for economic viability is a struggle to end what has been our state of affairs for over 400 years. It will be our contention that this can hardly be done in a few years and hardly by 1979, as it involves not only the building of the economy but also the rebuilding of a society. To build a Maltese society of skilled workmen and of entrepreneurs is as difficult as to build a Malta of factories and hotels.