Mosta Technopark expecting 20% rise in employment

The Mosta Technopark is expecting a 20-per-cent increase in overall employment by the end of the year, Mosta Technopark Tenants Association chairman Henry Borg told the prime minister yesterday.

Eddie Fenech Adami was on a tour of the technopark.

Mosta Technopark employs over 500 workers in 16 units, which are representative of five European countries. The products manufactured at the park are technology-related and destined for worldwide export.

Dr Fenech Adami described the MTTA, which has been managing the industrial estate for 15 months, as a "successful experiment". Its substantial upgrading and upkeep of the estate should serve as a "model" for other industrial estates, some of which had unacceptable surroundings.

The Mosta Technopark is the first industrial estate to be managed by its own tenants, and the idea is for the Malta Development Corporation policy of self-management to be adopted by other industrial estates.

Mr Borg said the MTTA was "tangible evidence" that the government's policy was "not only good, but can lead to the enhancement of the way things are run".

Several infrastructural, embellishment, landscaping and maintenance works have been carried out at the Mosta Technopark over the last 15 months through the financial backup of the estate's tenants. The association's work is already bearing fruit.

The MTAA has also focused on upgrading security at the industrial estate, as well as training employees.

Dr Fenech Adami yesterday presented certificates to employees across the board, who underwent a nine-week Institute of Health and Safety course, organised by the MTTA.

The MDC is distributing a promotional leaflet of the Mosta Technopark to a number of embassies worldwide as another marketing tool for Malta, Mr Borg said.

The prime minister also visited Hetronic Malta - a world-leading manufacturer of radio remote controls for heavy-duty applications, namely construction equipment and machinery - which is also based at the Mosta Technopark.

Hetronic Malta is today the largest company of the Hetronic Group of 12 companies in four continents. It is also the group's sales and service, logistics and purchasing centre.

Hetronic Malta general manager Simon Vella explained that the company was set up in 1994, employing 15 workers and manufacturing 20 systems a week for export. Today, the figures have gone up to almost 100 and 350 respectively.

Expansion plans for Hetronic Malta, which would entail a further increase in employment levels, are in the pipeline.

Dr Fenech Adami said the environment at the industrial estate augured well for targeting the type of industry the country needed.