After spending Lm3 million in the infrastructure of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) industrial zones, the government is to continue helping SMEs by compiling a directory listing them, said Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo yesterday during a visit to Tal-Handaq.

Mr Vassallo announced the launch of a directory of SMEs operating from Tal-Handaq. The directory, said Mr Vassallo, has already been sent to residents in Qormi, Hamrun, Zebbug and Sta Venera. A directory of SMEs operating in Mosta has also been published, said Mr Vassallo, adding that the directories are available online at www.

smemalta.com. The website has been devised by the secretariat, and aims at providing extra exposure to SMEs.

The parliamentary secretary said that around 400 people work in 135 enterprises in such zones. He said Tal-Handaq entrepreneurs have invested Lm7 million. Mr Vassallo said several more enterprises are to set up shop at the industrial zone, which will create 300 more jobs.

While visiting a catering establishment, the parliamentary secretary said the next step after the publication of the directories involved closer ties with the two major banks, Bank of Valletta and HSBC. This would result in easier access to finance for SMEs, he said.

The parliamentary secretary announced that similar directories would be published for the Mriehel, Luqa, Ta’ Dbiegi and Attard zones.