The Ta’ Qali Crafts Village regeneration project with a €13 million investment has gone through the first phase of construction.

The project, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, is intended to give the area a much needed face lift, and Chairman of Malta Industrial Parks Rudolph Psaila explained that this was a situation where a plan had been made to help the area grow and develop after the project is completed.

A foundation has been set up to run the village, including scheduled events for tourists or local visitors.

This includes a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education to further examine how the village can be used to the full to the benefit of students.

Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia said that this project was also intended to further the exportation of Maltese culture, and other funds were being used to help keep these crafts and skills alive.

Minister for Economy Chris Cardona said that he hoped that this is the beginning of a strong synergy between Farrugia and himself, particularly with regards to EU funds.

He noted that the project had been in every budget for the last 25 years but there was never any work done to get it done, explaining that his goal was also to have space where to entertain families who came to the area.

Photos Michael Camilleri