The government in the past years has created and sustained a wide array of schemes and aiding instruments to help our entrepreneurial class flourish and bloom. The government has done this because it believes in the great potential of our entrepreneurs, as they truly possess the seeds of success.
I was pleased to witness the full bloom of this potential in a very fine example last week as I had the opportunity to visit a small Maltese-owned company which endeavours in the aviation sector. Falcon Alliance Group runs a highly successful pilot-training school and an equally busy aircraft maintenance facility alongside with it. The 18-year-old company employs around 38 employees and has invested over the past years some €2 million, as it is currently looking excitedly into the future with prospects of further investment.
In fact, the Luqa-based company is currently benefiting from ERDF funds in order to invest into its operation and widen its horizons. The aircraft maintenance facility within the company is in the process of benefiting from 50% of €90,000 as it has just invested in a brand new specialised software system. This system will enable the company to carry out maintenance and refurbishments on further aircraft models and keep updated with the goings on of the sector.
The piloting school is currently in the process of securing 40% in ERDF funds of an investment which will ring to the tune of €300,000. This investment will lead the company to having Malta’s first Flight Simulator which will allow the company to train students on an infinity of aircraft models, in an infinity of artificially generated weather conditions, at a greatly reduced running cost, decreasing drastically the carbon-emissions level of the company, and generally increasing efficiency across the board for the firm.
This is yet another concrete example of how the help offered by Government can make all the difference, and can lead to great stories of success. This strategy was further confirmed during my visit when I met 4 MCAST Engineering course students who are currently doing their hands-on, work-phase experience with the aircraft engineering section of the company. This highlights the Government’s economic policy, for a value-added oriented economy, via a sound investment in education, and direct help to the actual entrepreneurs.
During my visit last week, I could witness how Government’s vision to make Malta a centre of excellence, together with our entrepreneur’s creativity and drive, leads to success stories that are fruitful to all of the economy. This is why I never tire of highlighting the wide array of incentives and schemes Government offers through agencies like Malta Enterprise. There is so much our SMEs can benefit from, we need to take more SMEs to this wealth of help.
Dr Jason Azzopardi is parliamentary secretary in the Finance Ministry