The Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Chris Cardona, and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia, visited the company Nibe Beverages Ltd. located in the Industrial Zone of San Ġwann. This visit follow only two years from the relocation and the inauguration of the new factory by the Minister himself.
In part to a blossoming economy, Nibe Beverages Ltd, has grown since 2017 at a rate of 33%. Whereas in 2003, it employed only two individual, today there are 50 full-time employees in the business. After the previous €1 million investment in 2017, the company made an agreement with a prominent company in the beverage sector, opted to use available EU funding mechanisms for new machinery, and so it can enter the North African market, aside from the local one.
The company is now, through accessible Malta Enterprise schemes for growing businesses, and a working relationship with Malta Industrial Parks, investing a sum of nearly a million (€ 860,000) in new machinery and infrastructural improvements. Their expansion will serve to strengthen and diversify the capacity of the Maltese manufacturing market.
"Nibe Beverages is another example of the potential of the Maltese company, with an economy stimulating Government that considers their added-value," said Minister Cardona. "The sustainable operations model of the company of awareness of its activities and products and their impact on the environment, is one that businesses should consider, as both business and country can benefit."
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds and Social Dialogue Aaron Farrugia, described how the company made use of the Business Enhance scheme, designed to help companies absorb funds from EU grants for them to further develop and grow.”
"This is the economic model our country has adapted: create work, create wealth, and ensure that wealth to participate in all layers of society. This wealth has been created with the capital that the government invests, with European funds, and by local and foreign business investment. "
Nibe Beverages Ltd. has benefited from a European fund for a project that was over €600,000 worth and went into the company’s zero-waste model adoption and towards new lines of production.
Farrugia explained that the Business Enhance scheme availed by this company is not only limited to ‘SME growth’, but also applicable to start-ups, companies wanting to diversify, and those wanting to engage in e-commerce. This particular company also benefited from a labour training program financed by European funds.
"Our company is a clear example of how we should help local businesses" said managing director Mr Pierre Farrugia.
Minister Cardona also lauded the company’s respectful working conditions and provided ongoing training for its’ employees in a competitive market.=