Extension of Xewkija Industrial Parks announced at a cost of €16 m

by Gozo News · June 8, 2016

Parliamentary Secretary for the EU presidency in 2017 and European Funds Ian Borg has announced three projects, with a total investment amounting to more than €32 million under the European Regional Development Fund.

The projects are the extension of Xewkija Industrial Parks, the redevelopment of Ta' Qali Crafts Village and The Internationalisation Knowledge Platform.

When talking about the extension of the Xewkija Industrial Parks, Dr. Borg explained that the aim of this project is to extend the area which is also owned by the Malta Industrial Parks in Gozo.

The plans aim at expanding up to 15 business new workshops spread over a total of 5355 sq.m for industrial activity in a vacant site also known as 'Tal-Hofra.'

It is also expected that the Malta Industrial Parks will be demolishing the existing building and instead build a facility to serve different purposes and to accommodate various operations including financial services, ICT, research and training among other sectors.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg explained that the rural village of Xewkija is undoubtedly in desperate need of a holistic revitalisation of the current existing facilities.

He said that the forecasting plans are that about 25 enterprises will benefit through investment, thereby creating about 150 new jobs within these same businesses. The total of this project at Xewkija amounts to approximately € 16 million.

Dr. Borg explained that the project at the Ta' Qali Crafts Village has been years in waiting for a much needed rehabilitation. He said that this was the difference between present administration and others who in the past had always promised to intervene but never actually committed to do so. Ta' Qali Crafts Village is spread over an area of an approximately 63,000 sq.m. The area is managed by Malta Industrial Parks Ltd, and is made up of a number of traditional Maltese crafts operators.

The proposal of this project aims to restore the village and create a centre of excellence for Maltese operators who are in the manufacturing industry by creating products and traditional Maltese crafts. All this will allow operators to serve as showcase for their traditional work and increase the number of visitors to ensure sustainability of the Crafts Village.

The value of this project will be approximately €14 million. The number of SMEs expected to benefit will be of around 50 tenants. It is also being projected that an increase of about 17 new jobs will be created within these existing businesses whilst expanding and increasing their activity.

Parliamentary Secretary went on to give more details about another project: the Internationalisation Knowledge Platform that Trade Malta has brought forward to assist SMEs and to be more prepared in investing, promoting and attaining a wider recognition on international level.

This hub will include digital platform where small and medium enterprises can use and take interest in a series of training and consultancies with the objective of finding the required building capacity and expand their horizons into the international market. The total of this intervention is €920,414 and about 130 companies are expected to receive support.

"Through this investment in the 3 projects about 180 enterprises will be receiving support and will create around 160 new jobs," the Parliamentary Secretary said.

Dr. Borg concluded by stressing that this investment confirms the Government's commitment in creating the ideal environment for small and medium businesses as they continue to thrive. "The Government is maximising the use of EU funds, making it possible for Maltese and Gozitan people to benefit from such projects," said Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg.