Fortunately, we live on an island where creativity is bountiful, where innovation and an innate sense of craftsmanship and even more so, entrepreneurship, within our communities have ensured the survival, sometimes against all odds, of our sense of identity.
However, for our creatives’ community, which includes a substantial number of artisans and craftsmen, to thrive and ultimately enhance our cultural legacy and heritage, we need to nurture and assist it in every way possible, not by simply paying lip service to its needs, but by providing factual, substantial aid which targets the challenges this sector encounters on a regular basis. Sadly, and to the detriment of this niche industry as a whole, decade upon decade of neglect by previous administrations has taken a huge toll on the sector.
One only has to consider the artisans’ village in Ta’ Qali to understand the level of devastation this sector has endured over the years. 30 years ago, the promise of total renovation and embellishment of the area was already being bandied about, a promise which sadly, did not materialise. All this is about to change with the intervention of myself as Minister after instructing INDIS Malta which will help those artisans who have fallen behind in building their business premises. We believe that the craftsmanship in the village is of an outstanding level and therefore deserves the appropriate environment in which to continue flourishing.
It is therefore heart-rending to meet with tenants of the village, some of whom have operated here for generations, and hear them express their utter relief that finally, after so many years of abandon and neglect, they can finally witness this project coming to life. The state in which the Ta’ Qali Village has been left to deteriorate truly beggars belief, especially since the artisanal workshops together with the creations produced within were often marketed as tourist attractions. There is a fine line between quaint and downright dingy and the Ta’ Qali Village was unfortunately treading well into the latter.
Moving forward, it is good to note that the key components of the common infrastructure for this important project were completed in March 2019. However, given that some of the artisans and businesses operating in the area could not keep up, coupled with the lack of liquidity due to the pandemic and which drastically reduced the capital required for further investment, prompted us as a government to rapidly intervene and offer the necessary assistance and support.
As a government we wholly understand that without the appropriate assistance, regardless of how incredibly talented or creative an artisan is, especially in these unprecedented circumstances, a business of this type can only go under. Therefore, at the beginning of February, together with INDIS Malta, we have worked on a framework agreement, whereby contractors will be hired at pre-established rates by INDIS Malta on behalf of the artisans, who will, in due course, pay INDIS Malta over an agreed period of years. Through the support provided by this agreement, the construction on all the remaining plots that need to be renovated to complement the rest of the village will start next June.
Personally, I am one of those people for whom the ‘Made in Malta’ label fills me with indescribable pride and therefore, this project, the rebuilding of the core hub of Maltese artisan, has for myself been a labour of love. Knowing that our fine Maltese craftsmen and artisans can now operate from within an environment which is deserving, and which enhances their status, is hugely satisfying.
It is also a source of great pride for me on a personal level, that within the context of a raging pandemic, with all the numerous challenges that this has brought about and regardless of the fact that several bigger, wealthier countries have had to neglect and ignore their creative sectors due to more pressing economic problems, as a government we have not only sustained the survival of our artisanal businesses but have solidly laid the bulwark for their future growth and competitive edge.
This pandemic could have spelt the death knell for our artisans, craftsmen and creatives, however, as we have consistently done for all our business sectors throughout the economic spectrum, we, as a government have stood unfalteringly with our people, solidly believing that together, through our skills, talents and most of all, our hard work, Malta will once again flourish well beyond pre-pandemic levels for the benefit of all.
Silvio Schembri is Minister for the Economy and Industry