The man who set up the Panta Lesco Group, Bartholomew Attard, known to friends as Barth, passed away yesterday aged 82.

Mr Attard's business career was propelled from a shop selling electrical and plumbing equipment in Valletta to a massive operation with a vast experience of jobs in places like Saudi Arabia.

In 1971, Mr Attard established Panta Lesco International Limited, the first Maltese engineering firm to be set up successfully overseas with initial base offices in Kuwait, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Over the years, the group divided itself into eight companies, specialising in construction, engineering, plastic injection, information technology, internet services and property development.

It played a major role in bringing desalination to Malta and introduced an advanced solar energy system.

Mr Attard headed the group as chairman and was board member of the Malta Development Corporation and Mediterranean Power Engineering between 1982 and 1987.

He was appointed fellow of the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall in 1970 and honorary general consul to Saudi Arabia.

He was married to the late Jane Filletti and had three children, Henry, Albert and Marion.

His funeral will be held tomorrow at 8 a.m. at the Msida parish church.

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