The talk is all about blockchain and other hip sectors in which Malta has now captured the world's primacy. Companies are flocking here, sometimes after being kicked off their own countries. Malta is 'the blockchain island' and promises all sorts of help to enable such companies to relocate here.

That's all well and good, and maybe all these sprouts will flourish and bear fruit.

But in our humble opinion, this country would do far better if it takes real care of manufacturing and other non-hip sectors for these ensure real growth, the growth that is not here today and gone tomorrow, nor fly by night.

Ever since manufacturing began to develop as an alternative to employment by the British Services, it has ensured real and sustainable growth. It has not been a spectacular growth with over 5% growth registered. But it has been a solid growth.

Manufacturing has employed thousands of Maltese who otherwise would have probably had to emigrate.

Manufacturing companies were attracted here, many by the tax incentives they were offered. Many of them are still here, still working, still employing people.

Industrial estates were built and opened around the islands, including Gozo. It is true they have become rather tatty and that some factories are now empty skeletons. There has been a rather lax approach to what goes on in them and those who fell back on payments were generally still allowed to remain.

But others, dare we say the majority, continued to work and create wealth.

Some may have not employed the latest technology but in general one can speak of a technology transfer in most of the enterprises. Many have kept up with the latest technological developments, upgraded their machinery and processes.

On the other hand, there was too, unfortunately, episodes of copying. One factory makes a success out of its operations and is quickly followed by more enterprises doing the same thing. That happened, for instance, in the clothing industry. In time many fell by the wayside and had to close.

There are still others who have lagged behind in the technology, especially in the various unofficial and private industrial estates that have sprouted. Once they take this approach, they generally fall backwards in the other sectors too - they cut corners, underpay their workers, make those remaining do multiple jobs, etc. They are only prolonging their agony.

Some of the existing manufacturing companies have taken the bit and tried exporting and some have become good at this very difficult but remunerative task. Others have shied from it and remained co0ntented to sell and compete in that minuscule market that is Malta.

Successive governments, as already stated, have helped industry not just by tax breaks and industrial estate but also by leading trade delegations on export trips. These must continue and be better promoted so that more are encouraged to go out and sell their products.

Above all, perhaps, the country must be grateful for all that manufacturing has meant for Malta. It must not forget this in the glitz of blockchain, fintech and whatnot.