The Economic Policy Department provides Government with expert advice on economic policy formulation, management of economic activity and international trade policy. Its primary objectives include fostering economic growth and development, high employment, low inflation, and international competitiveness. The department is responsible for a wide remit of economic policies, including structural reforms, pensions, fiscal policy, macroeconomic forecasting, and international trade relations. While engaging with international bodies, the Department contributes to discussions within the European Council and participates in meetings with the European Commission, credit rating agencies and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Department is also involved in work related to the OECD’s European Union (EU) Economy Review and the Economic Review of the Euro Area.

Additionally, the Department plays a key role in preparing briefings for meetings of various Council formations and actively contributes to research on economic, fiscal, trade, and financial topics. It publishes working papers and articles to disseminate knowledge, encourage objective discussions, and provide a platform for staff research. Its role in the annual budgetary process includes the drafting and pagination of the Economic Survey which is presented in Parliament and the coordination and pagination of the Draft Budgetary Plan, the Update of the Stability Programme, and various budgetary-related documents as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The Department contributes to ministerial coordination effort involved in the drafting and pagination of the National Reform Programme and also monitors the fulfilment of Country Specific Recommendations that fall under the responsibility of the Ministry for Finance. The Department comprises of four directorates, each with distinct responsibilities that together contribute towards shaping Malta’s economic policies.