The Malta Trade Fairs Corporation and Sign It Ltd have signed an agreement to bring a temporary structure to Malta worth just under Lm2 million to replace the soon defunct trade fair grounds, with the view of embarking on an Lm10 million venture to tender for a Convention Centre at Ta’ Qali.

The temporary structure, which is completely self-sufficient for power and services, will also be housed at Ta’ Qali, subject to approval of the application by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The current trade fair grounds licence runs out in August this year. Trade Fairs Corporation president Joseph Mifsud said that the agreement between the two companies will lead to continuity under the banner of Malta Convention Centre Ltd.

He said that the corporation had more than 50 years experience in the field, while Sign It was a Maltese market leader in the organisation of concerts, conferences and other large scale events. “Together we have the potential to be the leaders in the fair and MICE, (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) and we will also be safeguarding the jobs of existing employees who will be absorbed into the new company,” said Mr Mifsud.

He said that thanks to the agreement, the consumer and the business community will continue to benefit from trade fairs. However, the tourism sector as a whole, including caterers, transport companies, hotels and many others would also be able to tap the opportunities that the temporary structure will provide.

Meanwhile, Sign It managing director Ruben Caruana said that his company had long been advocating the need of a large structure in Malta to cater for both business fairs as well as MICE.

He said that both companies had realised that there was not enough space for two such centers in Malta which is why they joined forces. He said that the company had applied for permits from Mepa to place the structure in various areas of Ta’ Qali according to the 1992 Ta’ Qali Structural Plan. “We will of course only need one site for a period of two years until the government issues its tender for the construction of a permanent building, also at Ta’ Qali.”

The temporary structure will be able to hold 10,000 seated people or 22,000 standing and will be brought over from Wembley in London. The company providing the structure is Arena Group. Managing director Graham Mule explained that there is a big demand for these gigantic structures outside Europe.

As mentioned, they are completely self sufficient and meet all safety standards. Such structures have been the venues for the indoor wind surfing championship (which held a pool and seated arena) and various concerts by Sting, Madonna and Elton John. He said they take about four weeks to build and tests and calculations have already been made into the feasibility of Ta’ Qali as venue. He said the company hoped to have the go ahead by Mepa to begin construction in September this year.

The structure is some 70 metres high and its length of 150 metres can be extended at will. One can also hang five tonnes from the roof making it an ideal venue for concerts.