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The national economy is based on use of benefits of a geographical position (transport operations) and on tourists servicing. The developed industries are: shipbuilding, textile, shoe, food, extraction of limestone (it is used then at construction). The country also has well equipped harbors and a highly skilled labor. Up to 1979 Malta was strategic base. The economy of islands has been focused on ship servicing of Great Britain and the USA. The government planned to develop three making economy: the industry, an agriculture and tourism. But it was soon found out, that growth of the industry lags behind in the development of other branches. Only the textile branch created with participation of the foreign capital successfully developed. Now manufacture concentrates in highly technological industries: manufacture of computers, the equipment, consumer goods. Began to develop and the crafts focused on manufacture of souvenir production: jewels from silver, clay and glassware’s. But the main source of the income is a tourism. Constant inflow of tourists promotes development of construction and sphere of services. Development of agriculture is considerably complicated by lack of fertile soils and absence of water. Therefore Malta is compelled to import the foodstuffs in significant volumes. Agriculture is conducted on small sites of the ground in mountains where application of mechanization is impossible. The basic cultures are wheat, vegetables, fruit (especially citron), early potato and onions on export. Flowers and their seeds are also exported. The animal industries are widely developed. Fishing is also seasonal that is why it is developed poorly. Fish does not suffice for satisfaction of demand for fish products in a home market. Malta exports machines and the transport equipment, the industrial goods. Imports — machines, the transport equipment, the industrial goods, the foodstuffs. The basic trading partners are Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany, and the USA. |
