Reference is made to the article entitled “Zonqor project could get Mepa green light with the introduction of ‘feasibility’ clause in SPED” (TMIS, 14 June).

We would like to draw the attention of your esteemed readers that educational projects were already allowed in outside development zones. We do not understand your focus on the Zonqor Point matter in this aspect since this is another educational project.

The population of Malta has increased drastically over the last 50 years and building has consequently reached the level it reached. While we all wish that we had more land, the facts are what they are and unless Malta starts a process of land reclamation (which is extremely expensive) then it has to use the existing land. On the other hand, even reclamation has its own environmental repercussions.

It is a fact that certain projects will need to be in outside development zones as there cannot be an alternative to them. We need to ensure that there is an appropriate environmental gain to the loss of this land which we believe the investors need to be subject to. Indeed, this is the case with the Zonqor project.

The matter does not concern only the Zonqor project. With the type of reasoning advanced in the article, one asks: what message is Malta trying to convey? Is Malta saying it does not want investment that cannot be done in the current industrial areas? If yes, it seems your newspaper wants Malta to target only the financial services sector or investment that continues to pollute our air.

We are sure that if one tries to see things more objectively, one may possibly find better solutions other than trying to hinder the much needed foreign direct investment that could embellish our country or attract new niches. The government has announced other similar projects which will certainly be in an outside development zone and it cannot be otherwise due to the nature of the projects. We trust that your newspaper does not want Malta to refuse educational, sporting and yacht investments in our country in order to close all outside development zones

 

Reuben Buttigieg

 

Assoccjazzjoni Hwienet ta’ Wied il-Ghajn