€470 million industrial infrastructure plan based on ‘revamping existing zones, better planning’

The government’s €470 million industrial infrastructure plan is based on “revamping existing industrial zones through reorganization and better planning that shall create new spaces”, an Economy Ministry spokesperson told The Malta Independent.

Asked by this newsroom about plans for Malta’s industrial spaces and whether industrial areas such as Bulebel, Mosta Technopark, Mriehel, or San Gwann industrial estate will be expanded as part of the government’s economy vision, the government referred to a €470 million plan to upgrade and expand Malta’s current industrial spaces.

The plan will see the creation of 600,000 square metres of industrial space in such a manner that “ensures that sustainability is part of our economic growth”, the spokesperson said.

“The €470 million industrial infrastructure investment is based on the concept of revamping existing industrial zones through reorganization and better planning that shall create new spaces”, the spokesperson said.

A question with regards to how much of Malta’s current industrial space is taken up was not answered with statistics, however the spokesperson said that the plan is a response to struggles which Malta is facing to provide “adequate spaces for new investment.”

The plan will not only accommodate new Foreign Direct Investment but will create thousands of quality new jobs and provide better quality work spaces and environments and more importantly contributing to economic growth, the government said.

The plan includes the extension of the Life Sciences Park which translates into an investment of €101 million, the rehabilitation of the former “Luqa Dump”, through an investment of €51 million, and the creation of a new start-up space at the Kordin Business Centre through an investment of €14 million.

This newsroom also asked what became of plans for an area in Ħal Far to be turned into a logistics hub as part of a plan to turn Malta into a logistics and trans-shipment hub.

The spokesperson said that the industrial plan includes an investment of €79.6 million in “new industrial facilities in Ħal Far”, but did not specify whether the plans for the logistics centre remain on the cards.

Other projects included under the auspices of the plan are the upgrade of Taxiway Lima through an investment of €5 million and the construction of the car park at MIA Park 4 in Ħal Farrug through an investment of €5 million.

An investment of €30 million in upgrading industrial road infrastructure in Ħal Far, Bulebel, Marsa, Kordin, Luqa Industrial Park and San Gwann Industrial Estates is also included, the spokesperson said.

Lastly, Public Private Partnerships amounting to an investment of €15 million to develop new bespoke industrial properties and accommodate organized business clusters within a business-friendly environment are also included.

“The better management and use of the space provided in our industrial zones is being done by Indis Malta”, the spokesperson added.

“This Government is committed towards attracting investment and providing Maltese businesses with the best opportunities, including the space to grow and innovate. Work is currently in progress in terms of opportunities, sites and markets.  In fact, Malta Enterprise has further improved access to its schemes for logistics projects in order to better assist private entities in this sector and is open to proposals in these areas”, the spokesperson concluded.