The party Momentum proposed the creation of a dedicated Ministry for Science, Innovation and Research, saying that Malta needs stronger structures and investment to stop young researchers and professionals from leaving the country, a statement said.
Momentum proposed a series of measures aimed at reversing Malta’s brain drain and strengthening research and innovation, including a 15% flat tax rate for highly qualified Maltese nationals returning from abroad, it said on Sunday.
It announced three proposals which are intended to give research and innovation “a proper home” in Malta while encouraging Maltese talent working overseas to return.
The party said that Malta remains a “laggard” when it comes to research and innovation, saying many young scientists, engineers and researchers leave the country because the structures needed to retain them do not exist.
Among the proposals, Momentum called for the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for Science, Innovation and Research, saying that responsibility for research policy is currently scattered across multiple portfolios, resulting in diluted accountability and a lack of serious long-term policy planning.
The party said a dedicated ministry would elevate science and research into a core national priority with its own resources, mandate and accountability structures.
Momentum also proposed the creation of a National Centre exclusively dedicated to research, noting that Malta currently invests around 0.6% of GDP in research and development compared to a European average of 3%.
The party said the proposed centre would be tasked with helping boost Malta’s research and development investment towards the European average while giving young researchers stronger reasons to build their careers locally rather than abroad.
Another proposal focused on tax incentives for Maltese nationals returning from overseas.
Momentum said it would push for Maltese citizens holding level 7 and 8 qualifications who have spent more than five years abroad to benefit from a flat 15% income tax rate during their first ten years back in Malta.
The party described the proposal as an improvement over the current scheme, which only applies after ten years abroad and lasts for five years after returning to Malta.
Matthew Agius, Momentum’s candidate on the second and eighth districts, said Malta cannot continue speaking about a knowledge economy while remaining “at the bottom of Europe for research investment.”
“We have brilliant young Maltese researchers working in the UK, Germany and Italy because there is nothing here for them to come back to,” Agius said.