Currency printing and authentication international company De La Rue is investing “millions” into its largest plant in Malta, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Tuesday.

With the help of Malta Enterprise, this “sustainable manufacturing” plant by the UK based company is set to create 100 new jobs which will be additional to the careers already established in the company’s current plant in Żejtun.

The new plant will be occupying 29,000 square metres and will serve as a “centre of excellence” in money printing and other security services employing sustainable operations through the use of energy-efficient equipment and environmentally friendly materials.

Thanks to its size, this new facility will enable the company’s operations for tax stamps and brand protection firms to be doubled.

In his address, Abela said that this new project represents the will of the Maltese government to work for economic growth and the improvement of the quality of life.

"This new confidence shown by the international company gives courage and optimism to this administration to continue to lead our country forward in the coming months and year,” stated Abela.

Abela added that this international investment shows the fruit of the government’s efforts to ensure the manufacturing sector in Malta remains strong, despite claims that Malta’s manufacturing sector was not being supported and the governments continued effort to ensure Malta’s lowest level of unemployment in history remain.

"When we talk to investors, we see people of integrity. We see people day after day striving to create success for our nation. We see people working day after day to improve the environment of their employees," stated Abela.

In preparation for the 2022 Budget, Abela said that the government will continue to provide the necessary economic and financial framework to support and strengthen the interest of investors to Malta.

On his part, the Chief Executive of De La Rue, Clive Vacher, said that since manufacturing in Malta in 1975, he is proud of the quality of work from Maltese employees.

“We will continue to look forward to continued long-term cooperation,” said Vacher.

De La Rue Malta exports to 85 countries worldwide and generates €30 million for the local economy each year.

Present for the investment announcement were the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli, the Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, as well as representatives of Malta Enterprise and INDIS.