Report on field work in the beverage industry in Malta, 1958-1968

Abstract

Up to a few years ago, the economy of Malta depended almost on 4 single industry working for the Services. The total National Income amounted to about £281 million in 1954, wages paid to dockyard labour and Maltese members of forces accounted for almost one fourth. Income from Service Authorities and British families ran into another £3 million. Only about £8 million were earned in trade, transport and professions a As early as 1956, a drive to diversify the economy of these Islands was launched. The first step was the setting of the Aids to Industries Board in 1959. This board was set up under the first Five Year Plan to attract investments for the diversification of Maita's economy by offering a number of incentives. Mediterranean countries to which we should look when assessing this policy, as they are our direct competitors, provide in certain instances more attractive terns. Nevertheless, it is not felt that any major change should be made in the incentives offered, as good results are being shown recently, the functions of the Board were taken over by the Malta Development Corporation. Under this scheme, real progress has been achieved. From Table 1 in the 1966 Census of Production we see that Malta's volume of Production in 1962 stood at £16,5 millions. in 1966, it jumped to £26.4 million. And this, in a period of only four years.