Economy minister Chris Cardona today said that Arrow Pharm took the decision to lay-off workers a long time ago, and the new government was left to pick up the pieces.

“It is unfair that workers are burdened with the bad decisions made by the previous administration,” Dr Cardona said during a public consultation meeting.

He said that a number of big companies including Playmobil, Methode, Trelleborg submitted a written offer to take on the workers should they be made redundant.

Dr Cardona said that the government created 3,500 new jobs during the first six months of its tenure, and enjoys the trust of the private sector.

He said that the government’s role is to create the right environment for investment and not place unnecessary hurdles. 

The minister said that efforts are underway to ensure that Malta does not lose more EU funding due to oversights by the previous administration. On Monday, TVM reported that some € 20 million worth of projects and schemes falling under Malta Enterprise are in danger of being lost.

He said that Malta Enterprise has unveiled 133 new projects and assisted 160 companies, 36 of which will be investing in Malta.

Edward Zammit Lewis, the parliamentary secretary for investment, announced that two expressions of interest will be launched soon for yacht marinas in Ta’ Xbiex and Sa Maison with the aim of creating more employment.

Dr Zammit Lewis said that the yacht marinas will not be privatised and will be accessible to everyone.

He announced that an integrated maritime policy will be announced in September after consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Another initiative will be a unified branding system for high-end Maltese properties, he said.

Competition in the EU is cut-throat, and the government has to be on the ball and indentify new niches.

He said that new companies will be joining our shores soon, with an announcement being made one the “due diligence process” is complete. 

Dr Zammit Lewis said that an announcement will also be made soon about the use of the White Rocks land, but did not elaborate any further.

Sandro Chetcuti, the President of the Malta Developers’ Association, highlighted the need for some sort of information office in order for budding entrepreneurs to be guided professionally.  

“There is a lack of information, when people have an idea they do not know where to go. They bounce from department to department and ministry to ministry,” Mr Chetcuti said.