Job opportunities were being created by commercial sectors where small enterprises were active, according to the parliamentary secretary for small enterprises and the self-employed Edwin Vassallo.

Three sectors in particular – the wholesale and retail trade, the financial sector and commercial activity in general – have seen a substantial rise in employment between January and March this year, compared to last year.

Mr Vassallo, who was speaking at Luqa industrial estate, said the political decisions taken by the government had led to a strengthening of commercial activity, which in turn had created job opportunities. Between January and March last year and January and March this year, the number of people employed in the private had risen by 4,792. Ninety-six per cent of the private sector in Malta was comprised of small enterprises employing up to 10 people.

In the first eight months of this year, the secretariat had spent Lm100,000 on maintenance work at industrial zones, including the removal of rubbish, traffic signage, repairs to service culverts and pavements, temporary asphalting, tree pruning and the provision of parking areas.

Street lighting had been introduced at Luqa industrial estate and in recent years 57 new roads had been built at Handaq, Mosta, Mriehel and Zebbug industrial zones.