In its October 1999 Report the Commission considers that no substantial progress has been made in 1999. No specific system of state aid and merger control exists as yet in Malta. Malta also needs to ensure full transparency by presenting annual state aid reports and by setting up a state aid monitoring authority . Lastly, measures need to be taken to apply the competition rules to state monopolies, public undertakings and private undertakings having special rights. It provides for individual and block exemption as well as negative clearance procedures.
Clarification is needed on the status of notified agreements pending a decision.
As for the de minimis rule, the introduction of a market share criterion could be envisaged. Amendments to the Competition Act have been proposed by the Office for Fair Competition and these must be examined in detail. With respect to merger control, no system comparable to the EC arrangements exists in Malta as yet. No specific and proper system of state aid control comparable to the EC system exists in Malta as yet. State aid to the shipbuilding and ship-repair industries is substantial and will have to be brought into line with EC rules.