All of the 115 Valletta hawkers that make up the open-air market (monti) finally set up their stalls in the new allocation yesterday, after the long dispute on the relocation of the market following the completion of roadworks in Merchants Street.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Investment, Industry and Information Technology Ministry said it accepted a request to meet with representatives from the Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM), which represents all the hawkers, to discuss possible improvements to the site’s logistics.

The ministry expressed its satisfaction that the open-air market has started to operate from Merchants Street and insisted on its commitment to reduce any possible inconvenience caused as a result of the paving project in the centre of the capital.

The ministry is also committed to keep an open dialogue with hawkers, to help them improve their commercial activity.