Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday visited Actavis, a pharmaceutical company in Bulebel, as part of activities marking Worker’s Day. He was shown around by managing director Sergio Vella and division manager Patrick Cachia.

In comments to journalists, Dr Sant said that Actavis was a modern factory that went through a heavy technological development, confirming that the manufacturing industry had a bright future in Malta.

In its celebrations for Worker’s Day, the MLP is looking at success stories to learn from their experience and, where needed, support companies that could be in difficulty.

Actavis was set up in 1956 and until eight years ago used to operate only in Iceland, employed 46 workers and had a turnover of Lm24 million. Today, Actavis employs 10,000 workers, is present in 32 countries and has a turnover of Lm6 billion.

Actavis set up its operation in Malta in 2001 and today employs 400 persons. It has invested Lm20 million in the last four years, and 90 per cent of its products are exported to the European Union.