SmartCity to provide jobs by end of year

By the end of this year, the SmartCity project in Ricasoli will start providing employment for the Maltese and when the project is fully operational, it would provide jobs for a minimum of 5,600 people, the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Dr Gonzi said this project came about as the investors acknowledged the investment the government made in education as well as the country's standing in the information and communication technology sector.

Speaking at an activity for youth in Marsascala, Dr Gonzi repeatedly encouraged them to continue studying and "invest in their future".

The Prime Minister also spoke about the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology and mentioned the €116 million the government will be investing to build a new campus for the college.

With the appropriate measures, the government is aiming to double the 5,000 students presently following courses at Mcast, he said.

When asked about the tourism industry and the massive Isle of MTV concert which was held at the Granaries in Floriana, last summer, Dr Gonzi said discussions were under way to organise the concert again.

Turning to the environment, he said the government is investing a lot in this sector and is one of the foremost priorities for the next legislature.

The car registration tax will be revised and will vary according to the type of car and the impact it will have on the environment. Referring to the Magħtab rubbish dump, which is being turned into a national park, Dr Gonzi said that had the government not closed it, it would have risen 15 storeys higher than it is today.

He also mentioned the schemes the government has created and will continue to come up with to help people buy their own property with, among others, subsidies on the interest on loans and joint ownership schemes by the Housing Authority.