Malta Industrial Parks (MIP) are investing Lm13 million in the construction of 27 ultra-modern factories over an area of 15,000 square metres at Hal Far and another 11,000 square metres in Mosta Technopark that should be completed by the end of 2008, MIP chairman Alec Mizzi said yesterday.
Dr Mizzi, who was speaking at a press conference held with Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt, explained that MIP is working closely with Malta Enterprise and has made substantial investment in various areas.
At present, MIP manages around 600 factories in an area of some 300 million square metres and has launched new projects in an additional 70 square metres between 2005 and 2007.
Dr Mizzi pointed out that, according to a recent study by Malta Enterprise, there will be a high demand for factories in the future.
As a result, MIP initiated a refurbishment process at the Bulebel and Hal Far industrial areas that is financed by the EU.
Furthermore, said Dr Mizzi, the development of the new factories will act as an incentive for new investment – three of the sites will specialise in general industry and the fourth in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Dr Mizzi explained that MIP had organised a competition for the design of the new factories that focused primarily on the construction materials used, the layout, the time and cost of construction and the aesthetics.
“It is important to maximise to the utmost the space available through multi-storey buildings. Most of the factories have been constructed as one-storey buildings with surface parking areas,” said Dr Mizzi.
Dr Gatt said that the manufacturing industry was, and will always remain, one of the main pillars of the country’s economy.
“It has always formed part of our Gross Domestic Product since we achieved independence. However, it is changing at a very fast pace and success in this industry only depends on us finding competitive niches in Malta,” said Dr Gatt.
He spoke about the importance of keeping up-to-date with the needs of the modern investor – both local and
foreign.
Furthermore, the minister said, modern factories no longer need to be the large open spaces they used to be.
“Modern factories require the quality finishes that will in turn be reflected in the product,” he said.
Dr Gatt said that the new factories will attract the high-end of manufacturing and could be used both by local firms who want to expand their business or as a ready location for foreign investors.
Five architectural firms were chosen after a call for an expression of interest was issued last year. A public exhibition was held in April with the various models presented by each firm, which generated considerable public interest, he added.
Dr Mizzi said that TBA Periti had been chosen for the construction of the new factories as it had presented an innovative project that was flexible and cost effective.
He explained that the entire project is self-financing, with MIP taking out a loan from local banks and repaying the premiums through rents.
The applications to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority will be submitted in September and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Alex Torpiano from TBA Periti explained that the new factories will be five-storey buildings.
Two of these levels will be below ground and will be used as storage and parking areas.
Two floors will be used for production activities and the top storey will be used as business spaces for research and development and laboratories.
Thanks to an innovative design, trucks and small vans will have access to the first floor through ramps, and containers can be lifted directly to the first floor by the use of hydraulic lifts.