The Association of Catering Establishments (ACE) expressed concern about a recent article which states that funding for projects such as the new ITS building at Smart City will be stopped, leaving the institution in limbo.

The Times of Malta reported that due to the spiralling costs of energy, certain measures have to be taken in order to cut costs.

ACE said that "freezing the ITS project would be a blow for the catering industry and the tourism sector at large, especially when one keeps in mind the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine War."

It went on to say that finding people skilled in the sector is already a hard enough job. "ITS plays a fundamental role in the government's goal to attract and develop more talent as well as ensure opportunities for up-skilling."

ACE went on to say that the government had pledged in the Budget 2022 to propose a ten year economic strategy for ITS as part of their educational goals.