Economy Ministry spent more than €240,000 in direct orders for the participation of Malta at the EXPO in Milan which was held last year.

Minister Chris Cardona presented this figure in Parliament while replying to a question by Shadow Minister for the Economy Claudio Grech.

Most of the money spent, €85,000, went for the Public Broadcasting Services Ltd for audio and visual material.

Conductor Brian Schembri was handed €10,000 and music composer Karl Fiorini was paid some 30,000 for his participation in the Milan EXPO.

The Malta Philarmonic Orchestra was paid over €11,000 for a day concert.

Over €58,000 were spent on manpower from the EXPO service providers.