The first estimate for the euro area (EA15) trade balance with the rest of the world in June 2008 gave a 0.1 bn euro deficit, compared with +7.5 bn in June 2007. The May 2008 balance was -3.9 bn, compared with +1.2 bn in May 2007. In June 2008 compared with May 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.4% and imports by 2.9%. The first estimate for the June 2008 extra-EU271 trade balance was a deficit of 20.1 bn euro, compared with -9.1 bn in June 2007. In May 20082, the balance was -21.3 bn, compared with -15.0 bn in May 2007. In June 2008 compared with May 2008, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.5% and imports by 2.7%. EU27 January-May 2008 detailed results The EU27 energy deficit increased (-148.6 bn ... Read more...

Recently San Lawrenz local council invited the Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi to inaugurate a monument in honour of St Lawrence. During the past months the Council have been organising the work to erect the monument to commemorate the 1750th anniversary of the Martyrdom of St Lawrence and also to acknowledge the historical bond that the village has with Saint Lawrence. Mayor Noel Formosa said that the Council had been thinking about the idea of a monument for some time. The reason behind it was not only for the locality to seal its history, but also to show the devotion that the area had for Saint Lawrence. The council commissioned contemporary artists John Grima, to develop the Council's idea of the monument. Mayor Formosa said that the ... Read more...

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party expressed its preoccupation that Malta's 5.6% annual change in inflation rate is the highest in ten years and that the increase between June and July 2008 is the highest in the Euro-zone. AD Party chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: "It is extremely worrying that last month Malta had the highest inflation increase in the Euro-zone. This actually means that the spending power of Maltese salaries is being contnuously eroded, with certain categories of workers not making it till the end of the month on their salaries." Michael Briguglio, spokesperson for Social and Economic Development said that whilst certain sources of inflation are imported from beyond our shores, the Government can take action against other sources. "To begin with, AD believes that Government should seriously ... Read more...