The overall strategic objective of the National Development Plan is that Malta catches up with the average level of socio-economic development of the European Union. This is divided into three sub-objectives:

1. The sustainable growth of Malta's economy and its international competitiveness
   
2. The optimum use of Malta's human resource in a manner that encourages an increase in the size of its workforce.
   
3. The growth in social and economic development is spread equitably across the Maltese islands - both socially and geographically

The NDP is being prepared in 8 phases:

Phase 1: Analysis and diagnosis
Phase 2: Overall startegy definition
Phase 3: First draft sectoral startegies
Phase 4: Financial breakdown by sectors
Phase 5: Second draft sectoral strategies
Phase 6: Financial tables
Phase 7: Institutional arrangements
Phase 8: Government approval