Vodafone Malta is to invest €50 million over the next five years on an upgrading of its communications infrastructure and services, the Prime Minister was told during a visit to the Vodafone offices in Birkirkara today.

Dr Gonzi was shown around by CEO Inaki Berroeta, who said the company would also be investing in new services and further training for its employees.

Dr Gonzi welcomed the investment, saying this was a vote of confidence in Malta. Such investment in technology, he said, also fitted neatly with the development which the government was charting for the island.

He noted that Vodafone is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary in Malta.

"The company has grown as Malta has grown," he said. Its cutting edge technology and services had helped the country develop its own services oriented sector.

He also praised the company for his corporate social responsibility, especially through the Vodafone Foundation.

Vodafone will be moving to the MIA Business Centre next year and would also be ivesting on upgrated to the international gateway and faster data speeds.