Economy Minister Chris Cardona today attended the second phase of the ‘Only Made in Malta’ project - a continuation of last year’s ‘Only Made in Gozo’ initiative.
Both concepts are innovative ones which are aimed at safeguarding the environment and the characteristics of various localities across the islands - in the case of the second phase, Malta.
The economical effect of such projects is vast since it affects various sectors, including property, tourism and a number of ancillary services.
Minister Cardona said that the real-estate and construction sectors were given their much-deserved importance by this government from the very beginning it was elected to office. He was mainly referring to the decrease in MEPA tariffs and the continuation of the first-time buyers’ scheme.
Another initiative, Dr Cardona said, is that of the Individual Investor Programme.
The minister said that the government is aware of the fact that a number of women still face obstacles when trying to join the labour force or attempt to set up a business. While on the topic of women and the workforce, the minister praised Jane Chircop – the founder and director of Sapphire Real Estate for having be one of those individuals who managed to overcome such obstacles and started a business off.
Dr Cardona assured that the government will continue to remove all obstacles that exist which are preventing women from taking the plunge and opening a business or joining the workforce. The minister also took time to highlight other measures implemented by this government which aim to encourage women to join the workforce, including the free childcare scheme and the increase of six euros a week in maternity leave benefits, among others.