Fraser Eagle, a multi-million pound group of companies with offices in the UK and Malta, hopes to set the ball rolling to set up a multi-million pound business centre in Malta within the next 12 months, managing director Kevin Dean said yesterday.

The project, which could see an investment of between Lm10 and Lm15 million, will house accommodation, conference and recreation facilities under one roof.

Speaking to the media yesterday after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officially opened the group’s new £1.8 million headquarters in Padiham, Lancashire, Mr Dean said he would be having talks later this month with a number of Maltese businessmen who had expressed an interest in the project.

Asked how long it would take for the project to get off the ground, he said it depends on whether existing premises are found and converted into the trade centre or the project is built from scratch.

Fraser Eagle, which last July opened a control centre in Mosta to give it dual control of its nationwide transport operations in the UK, will next month be moving its tele-

marketing operations to Mosta as well, he said.

The group, which employs 30 staff in Malta, expects to increase its workforce by another six to 10 people in the coming months. The group is also having talks with insurer Aon to set up a captive insurance in Malta by April or May of this year.

Addressing guests at the opening yesterday, Prime Minister Gonzi said the Fraser Eagle Group is held in high regard in Malta because of the excellent opportunities it has provided to the Maltese people.

“Investment in Malta by a prestigious UK company like Fraser Eagle is testament to the huge advances Malta has made in upgrading its infrastructure, enhancing its ICT capabilities, developing an environment that is conducive to doing business, and to the strong work ethic of the Maltese people,” Dr Gonzi said.

Apart from the direct benefits of having Fraser Eagle in Malta, he added, they also acted as a beacon for other potential investors, “which in turn provide employment, generate wealth and support local communities”.

Fraser Eagle Group first heard about the advantages of near-shoring in Malta during a seminar in Frankfurt in 2005.

This led to discussions between Fraser Eagle and Malta Enterprise – the government agency responsible for attracting inward investment and supporting enterprise in Malta.

Fraser Eagle Group was looking to update its bespoke IT software, and after meeting with 11 ICT companies, the contract was awarded to Crimsonwing. Another Malta-based ICT – Megabyte – also worked with Fraser Eagle on other projects. Maltese web development company Dmax is responsible for their online presence.

The Prime Minister also had a short meeting with Mr Dean and Virgin Rail former chief executive Chris Green after the opening. A number of issues were discussed, including transport, which is Mr Green’s area of expertise.

Yesterday morning, Dr Gonzi attended an assembly at Hapton Primary School where he was greeted by the children in Maltese.

Today, the prime minister will be watching the football fixture between Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal.

Fraser Eagle was established in 1919 as a regional coach operator and still runs its own coaching division, with tours and excursions across the UK and Europe.

The group also includes an international interior design and contract furnishing company, an independent travel agency and a quality used-car dealership.