Prime Minister Robert Abela on Friday officially inaugurated The Shoreline Mall, a new complex at SmartCity in Kalkara.

With an investment of €200 million, The Shoreline is a project that includes not only establishments but also family entertainment venues, including for children.

In his opening address, Abela said that the investment being made to give life to SmartCity includes  the state-of-the-art campus of the Institute for Tourism Studies. He said the investment needs to be sustained with a balanced approach.

He also explained how the government understands the need to strengthen road infrastructure towards SmartCity but also acknowledges environmental protection, which is why, from the original proposal before 2013, the Government will reduce by two-thirds the amount of expropriated land to create the new link to SmartCity. The revised plan also means 80% less private land expropriated, with much of it being agricultural land, he said.

He said this investment in the south of the country also shows how this region could attract families. He thanked the investors in this project for creating an environment where families can spend quality time. Before the inauguration, Abela visited the complex where he met with workers and families who were present on site.