SmartCity motion this week

A motion on the SmartCity project is to be presented to Parliament this week, the Prime Minister told a dialogue meeting in Gozo yesterday.

Lawrence Gonzi said that this was a project which the opposition had done its utmost to hinder but which would ultimately be creating 5,600 jobs, including 3,600 in IT.

Under an agreement with Dubai-based Tecom Investments, Ricasoli Industrial Estate will be transformed into a state-of-the-art ICT and media city over a number of years. The government will have a nine per cent shareholding in the Lm100 million project.

Dr Gonzi also spoke on the Nationalist government's initiatives for the promotion of Gozo including three launched on Saturday.

One scheme, he explained, provided cash grants for entrepreneurs opening factories in Gozo.

In another scheme, the government would pay between 50 and 60 per cent of employees' salaries in enterprises, in Gozo, for a year when such enterprises engaged disadvantaged workers, who could include mothers returning to work, single parents and those over 50.

The third scheme provided an advantageous taxation system with reduced bureaucracy to help cottage industry. The government was also allocating Lm40,000 for cultural activities in Gozo, including an event similar to Notte Magica, Dr Gonzi said. This would help attract overseas and domestic tourism.

A new magazine was also being distributed in Malta to publicise services in Gozo.

All these initiatives should continue contributing to the Gozitan economy, the Prime Minister said.

Dr Gonzi also spoke on euro adoption, saying every step closer to the euro meant more jobs and investment.

Transport and Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea said that new facilities at Mgarr harbour would be inaugurated in April.

He said the new arrangements would reduce confusion as passengers would be separated from cars. There would be facilities for taxis, buses and coaches and a waiting space for 800 persons.

The minister said dolphins would be built off Mgarr to facilitate anchoring by cruise liners. This project would be partly funded by the EU.

Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg spoke on the police force saying that 600 officers were recruited in the past eight years and the working conditions of policemen were improved. The police were also given the right tools with which to work.