Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning visited 6pm’s new premises in Swatar. He was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretaries Edward Zammit Lewis, Franco Mercieca and Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia.

Dr Muscat, along with the ministers present, were given an overview of the company’s health-related software products by 6pm’s representatives. One of the company’s clients is the British National Health Service but the company has other clients fom various countries.

6pm employs around 140 people.

Dr Muscat said that the company exemplifies the raison d’etre of entrepreneurship.

“6pm has managed to penetrate the global market, not just the local and British market,” Dr Muscat said.

He added that this philosophy is in line with that of the government’s, which is looking beyond the EU market.

One of the directors of 6pm is construction magnate and former Nationalist Party mayor Zaren Vassallo.

Questioned why the government had given a direct order to another company to provide it with a software for Mater Dei Hospital, when 6pm was providing services of this sort to the UK, and whether it is due to the fact that Mr Vassallo is one of the company’s directors, Dr Muscat said: “This is why we are here today, to discuss.”

Dr Muscat did not confirm whether the government had issued a direct order to another company.