Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that he is on the same wavelength as the Prime Minister when it comes to not expanding the Freeport, saying that the residents in the Birzebbuga area need to be safeguarded.

For his part, Shadow Minister Claudio Grech expressed surprise that Dr Joseph Muscat was so categorical in his statement, but pointed out that the Nationalist Party would need to discuss any proposals, plans or projects prior to final positions being taken.

Last Monday, when addressing a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said: “I am not too keen on having more land down south eaten up by the Freeport. It’s an issue where the enterprise might grow too big for the island. I’m not too keen on it outgrowing Birzebbuga. We need to improve their productivity in ways that it does not take up additional land. This is why we are in the final phases of coming out with customs legislation and free zones”.

The Prime Minister also mentioned a logistics hub which is set to have an 8,000 sq metres. The project, which would be in Hal Far, would be through a Public-Private Partnership, employ some 350 people, and will have a carrying capacity of half-a-million cubic metres.

Dr Cardona told this newsroom that in the coming days, a request for proposals will be issued for this logistics base development. “This won’t just be warehousing, but it will be a full industrial package which offers some ancillary services, like product labelling, entry and exit into the EU, etc”.

Not everyone was pleased with the Prime Minister’s comment about the Freeport’s size.

Mr Grech, while stressing that the PN has not discussed the Prime Minister’s statement on this matter as a group, gave his preliminary thoughts on the issue. “Our Parliamentary Group would need to discuss any proposals/plans/projects in due course prior to a final position being taken”.

“We were slightly surprised that government shot down any possible growth plan of an enterprise that has contributed and provided so much to our economy. If I recall well, it contributes directly, and indirectly, to the employment of 1,500 families, not to mention the fact that the Freeport positions Malta on the global map. I don’t think we should shoot down the growth of any enterprise like that, not to mention the economic value added it provides, given that Freeport jobs pay well. It’s the kind of employment we are seeking in Malta”.

“I believe that prior to reaching a conclusion one should assess and analyse all the facets of any proposals and take an informed decision. I also believe that any discussion should also include noise-abatement measures to reduce the current noise pollution and adequate afforestation/landscaping measures to mitigate the environmental impact of the operation”.

He referred this newsroom to an economic policy document the PN had previously published. The document read: “We believe that now this success is crying out to be leveraged for a quantum leap in growth, reach and connectivity. We now need to focus on the transition from organically growing as a transhipment hub into realising our economic aspiration of evolving Malta into a regional logistics powerhouse. We are setting a clear and unequivocal target of establishing Malta as the regional trade corridor, connecting Asia to the European markets”.

One of the key policy drivers listed in the document read about the need to “ensure long term clarity on the Freeport and warehousing zones in Marsaxlokk, by developing a master plan balancing warehousing expansion, measures to mitigate impact on neighbourhoods and widespread afforestation and green open spaces”

The UHM also expressed its disappointment with the Prime Minister’s statement, saying it was approached by Malta Freeport workers who expressed concern at the Prime Minister’s statement.

They said that the Malta Freeport Terminal is involved in a competitive industry and cargo shops continue to get larger. “This requires continuous investment by the Freeport to keep abreast with the times”.

The UHM said that the terminal contributes substantially to the Maltese economy, with a €230 million investment since the privatisation exercise. Some 1,800 workers are directly or indirectly employed there. The PM’s declaration is worrying for these workers and their families, the UHM said.