Economy Minister Chris Cardona had already publicly declared that Sai Mizzi will continue to occupy her post as special representative to China for Malta Enterprise back in August 2016 until a replacement is found, a government statement read.

The statement was in response to yesterday's questions and statements in Parliament on the issue.

The statement read that she continued to occupy her post after the expiration of her original contract, "until an ideal person is found to occupy this strategic position which is important for the country. This transitionary period should not exceed six months from the expiration of the original contract."

"Malta Enterprise has issued a public call to fill the post, however one could appreciate that it is not easy to find a person with the necessary skills to occupy it. A number of candidates have applied and the corporation is undergoing the necessary processes so that it will appoint a new person to the post in the coming period."

Yesterday, journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia wrote that she contacted Malta Enterprise Chairman William Wait who confirmed that her contract was renewed over a telephone conversation the two had. She quoted him as saying  "There was a call for applications to fill the post, and we had a lot of interest. There were many applications," he said. "Then her contract was renewed."