I refer to David Lindsay’s article, ‘MTA issues tender for e7.5 m Qawra aquarium’ (TMID, 29 January), which refers to the Qawra public aquarium and marine attraction project.

This project is part of a e120 million investment programme, aimed at improving Malta’s tourism product. The project will be part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

This procurement process is being carried out through a competitive dialogue wherein the shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide solutions for the requests, which the government of Malta will put forward in the tender document. A call for short listing of bidders was issued last week. This call will serve to identify and qualify bidders to be shortlisted, and who will subsequently be asked to submit a design, build and operate tender.

Kevin J Drake

Director

Communications & PR

Malta Tourism Authority