ST Microelectronics announces investment in Malta
ST Microelectronics today unveiled new state-of-the-art equipment just installed at its plant in Kirkop and announced further investment on a new line of products that will place it among the global leaders in microchip technology.
The announcement was made during a visit to the plant by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.
Dr Gonzi and Mr Fenech had earlier concluded months of talks on government assistance for the new investment with ST President and CEO Carlo Bozotti and Chief Operations Officer Alain Dutheil.
The new investment will enable the Malta plant to produce the latest micro-chips for use worldwide in mobile phones and computer games.
The move is also seen as consolidating the company's presence in Malta after fears for the company's future last year, when some downsizing was made.
The recently-installed equipment is used for the production of MEMS Systems (Micromechanical Systems) an innovative technology in which ST has world leadership. MEMS are highly miniaturised components used for gyroscopes, compasses and microphones used in the latest smartphones, computer games, auto-electronics, medical equipment, digital cameras and other technology-based products.
ST employs some 1,500 people, making it the largest private sector employer. It is also by far Malta's leading exporter. The government's assistance to the company will include worker training to cover competences in higher-end technology - enabling the company to produce its latest products in Malta.
The value of the investment was not announced but the company had, up to the end of last year, already invested US$1.1 billion.
Dr Gonzi said the government was proud that ST had continued to recognise Malta's potential as an investment destination and it had acknowledged the skills of its workers. This investment would further improve Malta's competitiveness and attractiveness for investment.
Dr Gonzi said this investment was the fruit of the government's actions to counter the impact of the international economic downturn by having supported companies and safeguarded jobs during the recession, enabling those companies to be in a position to invest further and strengthen their position.
"Despite the worldwide economic situation, ST is continuing to show confidence in Malta as a prime investment location," Dr Gonzi said.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that in managing to protect its industry, the government had been able to position Malta to attract new investment as the global economic climate improved. The governemnt, he said, had assisted the Malta plant of ST Microelectronics to weather the storm and maintain its competitiveness and this was now paying dividends for the country.
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I M Dingli
Jun 30th 2010, 18:10
@ T. Castello
Correct me if I’m wrong but i never said you are doing your maths wrong even though I don't agree on the 1981 issue....... if you want to point to certain loopholes within the system why don't you mention the last lapsus that occurred in Parliament about a month ago....... do you remember... when a clear vote was casted but your Government has found a loophole to alter the vote taken!!
I M Dingli
Jun 30th 2010, 15:32
@ T. Castello
Meta jaqbillek 'Long long long time ago' imma meta trid zmien il-Labour qisu l-bierah!!
Prosit
T Castello
Jun 30th 2010, 16:29
@I M Dingli
Because the only time that we could compare between the PN and the MLP in GOVERNMENT is a very very very long time ago, to be exact if we include the election of 1981 the MLP or now PL was in the oposition for just about 30years with the exception of 20MONTHS and please if Iam not saying the truth just let me know because I am so much interested that I would like to know if I am mistakin which I am sure that I'm not. Thankyou.
T. Castello
Jun 30th 2010, 10:49
@PL Bloggers, The investment that you guys are talking about during the MLP administration which was a LONG LONG LONG TIME AGO was KORO TAL PIJUNIRI, IZRA U RABI,DIRGHAJN IL MALTIN,taht DIXIPLINA MILITARI u fejn kienet GWU DAK IZ ZMIEN fil gabinet ta Mintoff (tra...................)
I M Dingli
Jun 30th 2010, 08:56
@ James Grima
Kont taf li biex dan il-progett isehh, il-management ta l'ST qed tipproponi li jitnaqsu il-pagi tal-haddiema, pero mhux kullhadd.... management minflok titnaqsilhom il-paga qalu li mhux ha jiehdu zieda. Read between the lines..... mela f'mumenti difficli bhalma kien hawn dan l'ahhar xhur, il-managment kien ghadu qed jiehu iz-zieda u l'haddiem normali, is-sinsla ta l'ST ma kienx qed jithallas kif suppost. Mhux kull ma jleqq deheb u jekk ma tkunx fihom l-affarijiet toqodx tparla fil-vojt u turi l-injoranza tieghek. Grazzi
m. borg (slm)
Jun 30th 2010, 00:22
@ James Grima
Lest we forget ST Electronics is a product of Mintoff's Regime.
M. Mifsud
Jun 29th 2010, 23:42
Very good news that ST finally plans to keep its production lines in Malta for some more years. On the other hand ST Malta management should treat its highly skill workers better and sure that the renumeration condition do not continue to decline as they it during the past three years.
This week there will meetings organised by the union to the workers to explain the measures that the ST wants to take to safeguard it presence in Malta. These measure will reduce the current renumeration conditions of the workers.
ST still owns money to all the workers that was committed to pay as agreed in previous workers agreement.
The deterioration in the working conditions for ST workers and also for its middle and higher level Managers leaded to hundreds of expertised employees to leave the company in the past few years.
The management business ojectives (MBO) bonus for ST middle and higher level managers was not paid for the last two years and it amounts to quite a sum!
Were the above included in the discussion between ST management and the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister?
I M Dingli
Jun 29th 2010, 20:16
@ James Grima
Turix kemm ma tifhimx f'dawn l-affarijiet. Sewwa qed jghidlek Martin Cassar, inti qed titkellem fil-ghama ghax taqra dak li turi il-media biss u dak li il-managment ta l'ST irid li in-nies isiru jafu. Jekk trid stampa iktar cara ta l-affarijiet, tecitax ruhek minn issa, ghati naqra cans. L'affarijiet li semma Martin Cassar daqt johorgu u ifhimni, l-ST hemm impjegati kemm Nazzjonalisti kif ukoll Laburisti. Il-mizuri li qed jissemmew ha jolqtu lil zewg nahhat.
Issa jekk ma tkunx trid temmen lil shabek in-nazzjonalisti li ha jintlaqtu, ghaffarik.
peter bonnici
Jun 29th 2010, 20:13
sur james grima, milli jider ghadek xaghazuh ghax ma tiftakar xejn minn xien kif bdiet l st. kollu bilhila ta gvern laburista u bil protocol li kien ghamel mintoff matt taljani. nahseb int insejt jew kont ghadek ma tewilidx, meta in nazzjonalisti fethu il kumpanija AMS li ma kinitx tezisti, biex tohloq problemi ghal l st. barra affarijiet ohra li graw qabel il ftuh.li hu zgur li il haddiema taw kontribut kbir lil pajjiz. qabel nalaq l st fethet fil bidu ta l 80.
Paul Smith
Jun 29th 2010, 18:52
Joseph Cauchi lists all these projects
what i wonder is, will you be able to keep the lights on in all of them?
James Grima
Jun 29th 2010, 17:48
Fejn huma il lejbir moners? Qedin taraw kemm investiment, u kobor gab, u qed igib l ghaziz partit taghna? Intom x intom iggibu? Xejn!!! Oh sorry insejt. Qedin tahlu il hin issahnu is siggu fl oppozizjoni. This is another nail in the PL's coffin.
@PL bloggers.
Nithassarkom. Intikom hint. Abbandunaw dak il "partit", qabel jlaqqat l ikbar, u l ahhar tkaxkira tal istorja tieghu.
Muscat Pat
Jun 29th 2010, 18:33
Good news is always good news; we all reap the benefits. This is what politics is all about. However, do remember, that it was the Labour Government in the 8o's that was the catalyst for this major investment; and yet again, it was the Labour Government that persuaded ST to stay in Malta in 1996. Cheers for the good news.
Martin Cassar
Jun 29th 2010, 19:41
Mr Grima kieku inti tahdem l-ST zgur li ma kontx tghid dawk il-kummenti.Kun ghaf li mhux kull ma jleqq hu deheb.J'Alla dan l-investiment li qed jisemma jsehh,halli l-haddiema tal-st jiehdu dawk li haqqhom ghaliex bhalissa ghaddejin tahdidiet biex mhux talli ma jiehdux iz-zieda li giet imweghda lilhom fl-ahhar agreement,anzi talli jridu jnaqqsulhom l-allowances.
Mela Mr Grima aghmilli pjacir u ghalaq halqek u qabel tikkumenta fuq haddiehor kun cert f'dak li qed tghid u ilhaq salibek ghax it-tkaxkira tehoda int u mhux tal- LABOUR (hekk tinkiteb mhux lejbir).
James Grima
Jun 29th 2010, 19:50
@Martin Cassar.
Dan id diskors li qed tghid zgur qalulek Joe Muscat!!! Tal lejbir kollha xorta!!! Ma jinbidlu qatt!!!
Joseph Calleja
Jun 30th 2010, 09:19
Ghadkom tiftakru meta l-perit Mintoff ftahar li kien ser igib fabrika li timpjega elf? Tiftakru? Izda l-perit kompla zied li kienet multinazzjonali u li kien ser ikollna mbaxxu rasna ghal hafna drabi quddiem is-sahha ta dawn in-nies. Ghandkhom idea kemm il-darba baxxejna rasna? Kemm swiet lill-pajjiz s'issa? Dr Gonzi please note. Int issa drajta it-tattika taghhom.
Emmanuel Zammit
Jun 29th 2010, 17:10
Some People wish to put the issue on Blue or Red but we workers of ST All we want to have our Full rights and our Money and to keep working.
Here In Malta workers have one of the cheapest wages in EU So this talks alone.
Gerard Cassar
Jun 29th 2010, 16:43
Details of how the government assisted STS have not been given, only reference is made.
The P.N. are always after propaganda. The GWU has worked hand in hand with STS.
Some one is trying to draw a list of P.N. achievments mentioning what is in the pipe line, and that is far away from what the Labour Party has achieved during its tenure of office, in spite of the spokes in the wheels of the P.N. "Is Malta burning"! "Do not invest in Malta"! "Malta another Lebanon" ...Hotels closed. Promises not kept!. Pensions' age to be revised... Summer afternoon to be revised...A start of the art hospital with so many problems unsolved...and creation of other problems. The P.N. better hide themselves,. Scandals are everywhere and new ones appearing daily.Euros 3 billions debt. Just think a little and P.N misdeeds crop up like wild grass.
m farrugia
Jun 29th 2010, 15:54
konferma ohra ta pajjiz mimli faqar
u halluna tal pl
Charles Massa
Jun 29th 2010, 15:17
Baqu Malta ghax il pagi tal haddiema baxxi u ghal hekk baqalhom aktar profitt fil but
A. zahra
Jun 29th 2010, 15:32
Dear Charles, pity you do not work at ST as your salary would have been more than what you are now eaning. You would be the envy of your friends and of your siblings. And thanks to the government your job would have been safe.
j.bartolo
Jun 29th 2010, 15:08
Were are those remaining 116 euros which the company still owns to her workers from previous agreement .Also there are rumors that ST wants to reduce the workers wages by more than 200 euros(in every pay)Are the workers going to have a wage increase in this agreement?Are the promotions still going to be freezed?L-gholi tal-hajja qied ghal kullhadd hbieb,Nisperaw li ma tibqawx tejdu li sejrin lura kull darba li jasal l-agreement ghax kullhadd ghandu familja x jitma bhal ma ghandhom dawk tal-grad gholi
Antoine Attard
Jun 29th 2010, 15:00
Grazzi Prim Ministru. Grazzi Ministru Fenech. Komplu mexxu. Il-fiducja qed tissarraf.
A. Borg
Jun 29th 2010, 14:20
Proset,imqar dak l-investiment li gab il-Labour inkluz l-Air Malta kompla jifjorixxi u j"Alla li l-haddiema jaqilghu dawk il-flus li kienu jaqilghu f'din l-azjenda hafna snin ilu.
gab gauci
Jun 29th 2010, 14:20
@michelle spiteri Ghandek zball mil- Marokk l-ST ma telqitx,hemm maltin ghadom jahdmu hemm ma ST.
P.Cassar
Jun 29th 2010, 14:19
@PN Bloggers
PLEASE NOTE THAT INDUSTRIES STARTED DURING LABOUR ARE EXPANDING.
MANY OF THOSE STARTED DURING THE PN TERM HAVE CRUSHED.
MINISTER GATT SAYS THAT THERE IS NO HOPE FOR MANUFACTURING!!!!!
Andre Chetcuti
Jun 29th 2010, 16:28
What a positive comment .... can't you think of anything better
michelle spiteri
Jun 29th 2010, 13:52
prosit tonio fenech - bla dubju li dan rizultat iehor ta diskussjonijiet twal minn ministru kwiet li ma jfittix glorja personali imma li qed igib rizultati kbar ghall-ekonomija maltija
l-ST telqet anke mill-Marokk ta, mhux l-Ewropa biss. Nahseb qas napprezzaw das-success!
John CASSAR
Jun 29th 2010, 13:47
GOOD INVESTMENT! GOOD IMAGIE FOR MALTA! AND WAGES ?)
PETER SAMMUT
Jun 29th 2010, 13:39
Wages should be increase not decrease or at least keep the same.Just to remained some people here we are in EU NOT IN CHINA.
And those which are payed to do this have to do there Job full this time.!! U Bla Paroli U JIBDA MIN QADA .Grazzie u kuragg hbieb.!!
Sarah Cutajar
Jun 29th 2010, 13:30
..we maltese should be really proud of what we are managing to achieve..other countries are on the brink of failure and we are a country that is still managing to attract new and substantial investment...kudos to the Government for its direction and strategy
peter sammut
Jun 29th 2010, 13:03
Just to remained some people that the works of ST are still waiting there wage increasing of years ago! In which the company agree to pay long time ago!!
A. Zahra
Jun 29th 2010, 13:29
Yes, but they can rest assured that thanks to the support the government gave and is still giving the company they, unlike ST workers in other countries, have had their job secured. The ST workers should realise that ST Malta is not immune from the global recession and neither are they.
mark spencer
Jun 29th 2010, 13:57
il gvern jithabat ghal investiment u l unions jaraw kif se jtellfuh
A. Borg
Jun 29th 2010, 17:06
A. Zahra, mela vera m'ghandekx paga biex tkun l-ghira ta shabek bil-paga li taqbad l-STS!
Qabel vera meta kien hemm overtime kemm trid imma mhux issa. Naf hafna li telqu u marru suldati jew Pulizija barra postijiet ohra issa dawn il-paga taghhom zgur mhux li tghir ghalija imma ahjar milli kellhom l-STS.
Josephine Callus
Jun 29th 2010, 17:58
A. Zahra Dr Gonzi also assured the Dockyard workers about their jobs just before the election. Everyone knows what happened.
Maria Farrugia
Jun 29th 2010, 12:55
Thumbs up for govrernment's action in securing this new investment.
John Micallef
Jun 29th 2010, 12:55
Milux ukoll thabbar investiment li il-kunsill ta hal lija ferah bih ghax ha jinqatghalna it trab. Nispera li mhux kaz simili dan. Sindku pls comment. Ghax sa issa hlief pjanti u ppt prezentation ma rajniex.
Wara kollox jekk isehhu dawn l-inizjativi kulhadd igawdi!! Nistennew u naraw. Ghax il- progetti li qed ihabbar Gonzi bhal issa jekk isehhu kollha anke Filfla jkolna nuzaw.
martin saliba
Jun 29th 2010, 12:55
May i remind those that are praising the goverment that SGS was brought to malta by a pl goverment and is one of the companies that are still making profits.
John Debono
Jun 30th 2010, 08:37
Martin
May i also remind you that if PL had their way and we stayed out of EU ST would have left Malta years ago
Joseph Cauchi
Jun 29th 2010, 12:52
This is really welcomed news and in addition to the following projects:
1) The building of a new terminal by the Emirates National Oil Company
2) Corporate Village Malta, by Malta Enterprise
3) The White Rocks Sports Complex
4) SmartCity
5) The planned extension of the Delimara power station
6) The Valletta City Gate project by Enzo Piano
7) The extension of Lufthansa Technik
8) The SR Technics Group aircraft maintenance facility and
9) Others…
Malta will be definitely the envy of most of our neighbours!
Congratulations to our Prime Minister for continuing to improve the Maltese economy for the benefit of us all.
JC.
E. formosa
Jun 29th 2010, 13:21
Grazzi ghall informazzjoni . Mn'Alla kont int ghax ghandna gvern li ma jafx jiftahar b'rixu.
Peter Busuttil
Jun 29th 2010, 12:46
Writers in these comments should see their doctor because they are suffering from a massive loss of memory. It seems to them that Maltese history began on May 1987! If my memory serves me correctly, ST Microelectronics (ex-SGS) started production in the early 1980's. That's right, folks, during the Labour administration. Anyway, what has ST Microelectronics done to be criticized by the PL? That's right, nothing! In fact, the more this company invests the better. Anyway, just as Ms Falzon has stated here, PL has a right and duty to question the somewhat queer decisions this government takes. No matter what PN supporters think!
V Caruana
Jun 29th 2010, 12:43
Well done ST. Thanks for the confidence shown in our administration and the skilled maltese workers. The same words were uttered way back in 1981 when ST opened production in Kirkop.
N.Calleja
Jun 29th 2010, 12:41
One shock after the other for the PL moaners ahd gloomers. They will soon say that it was thanks to them that his new venture is taking place!! Ha Ha!! And tonight watch out for One News to herald this great announcement!! The PN government is performing earthquakes ... in enhancing investment and job opportunities. Whilst Socialist governments all around Europe are doing what MIntoff used to do....tightening belts that suffocate employees!!
Gianninu Saliba
Jun 29th 2010, 12:26
Whilst Labour talks of corruption the government acts in the best interest of the nation... more investment, better education, quality healthcare, creating employment and improving the infrastructure. Whilst Labour talks of doom and gloom, the government attracts foreign investment. Whilst Muscat causes earthquakes, our beloved Prime Minister reduces unemployment and improves our GDP. Whilst Labour hopes for an economic disaster (as this will boost their chances of winning the next elections) the goverment continues with its Vision 2015 plans which are already yielding great results.
Lewis Balzan
Jun 29th 2010, 12:35
Earth calling Gianninu! Earth calling Gianninu! Come in Gianninu! Living on another planet must be so lonely.
Michael Gatt
Jun 29th 2010, 15:00
Sur Ganninu ghandek ragun ghax ma awnx korruzjioni. Tridx tmur mela aw. Idahhaqniex please
Joe Morana
Jun 29th 2010, 12:22
Good news indeed. This is the way forward for Malta and the Maltese workers i.e. more high tech investment and more skilled workforce. Well done to all concerned.
E. Vassallo
Jun 29th 2010, 11:52
@J Tonna
Tibzax, il-Partit Laburista dalwaqt jibda jsaqsi u jara kif idallam dan l-investiment!!!!
marija falzon
Jun 29th 2010, 12:01
As far as I know the pl only questions mismanagement by the govt, as it should do in all our interest. Investments like this should be encouraged and applauded.
Mikiel Borg
Jun 29th 2010, 12:41
@ E. Vassallo
Qed tinsa xi haga mportanti. Kien il-partit Laburista li gab l-ST hawn Malta u dejjem hadem fl-interessi tal-haddiema taghha.
Andrew Cumbo
Jun 29th 2010, 14:38
@E.Vassallo
Ghall informazjoni tieghek il- PL qatt ma fixkel investiment li gie pajjizna. Kuntrarju ghall dak li ghamlu tal- PN meta kienu jmorru fi snin 80 il- Germanja jwerrwru l- investituri li kellhom interess jinvestu f' pajjizna. Ghall informazjoni tieghek ukoll ST li dak iz- zmien kienet SGS kienet investiet f' pajjizna fi snin 80. Biex nghidlek ukoll dak iz- zmien kien Deputy Chairman ta MDC Dr. Alfred Sant li bi hila tieghu din il- kumpanija giet go pajjizna u illum bi pjacir ta kulhadd qeghda tkompli tinvesti. Ma din il- kumpanija kienu gew hafna ohrajn fosthom Baxter, Phamamed (illum Actavis), Merit (illum Methode) Toly Products u ruxmatta kumpaniji ohrajn.
Dawn huma il- provi tal- Partit Laburista fil- Gvern li hafna minkhom tipruvaw twerwruna bihom.
J.Tonna
Jun 29th 2010, 11:48
PL followers - Illahwa x'investiment dak!!! Issa kif se jirnexxielna noskurawh??
Naf x'naghmlu, naghmlu 1000 mistoqsija, imbaghad nghidu li ma rrispondiniex ghalihom.
Kemm qed jiguh affarijiet tajbin lil dal-Gvern tal-PN.
Poplu Malti - Uwwa ahna nafu nghazlu!!!!!!
J. Mifsud
Jun 29th 2010, 11:56
Il-PL zgur mhux se jaghmel bhal ma kienet taghmel l-oppozizzjoni fis-sebghinijiet.
Il-poplu Malti zgur mhux mazzun kif jahsbuh x'uhud.
Anthony Briffa
Jun 29th 2010, 12:36
@ J. Mifsud
The PN in opposition in the 1970's and 1980's had to fight to restore democracy, which was taken away from us by the 'Salvatur ta' Malta' and his chroonies, some of whom are still on the PL's scene up to this very day. Otherwise there was nothing to critisize other than the investment in the white elephant, the China Dock, for which cost we had to repay the equivalent in gold.
J.Tonna
Jun 29th 2010, 12:41
@ J.Mifsud - Jigifieri ilek nieqes min Malta mill-1987, biex ma tafx x'qed taghmel l-oppozizjoni tal-lum??????
Sewwa qed tghid il-poplu mhux mazzun u ma jiblax kull ma jghidu tal-PL.
Melvin Caruana
Jun 29th 2010, 15:41
@PN bloggers li kieku ma kienx il labour kieku il poplu fqir u jitkarrab iktar milli qje djitkarrab issa bil kontijiet li sihebkhom gonzi ghamel jekk forsi ma tafux. jiena nghid grazzi lil gonzi tghali qijed jgib linvestiment ghax waa kollox ghalhekk qijed fil potter biex jaghmel lahjar ghal mata. imma daqshekk iehor ghamel tajjeb il labour. il labour ghamel hafna affarijiet relattai sigurta socjali + bhal pensjonijiet children's allowance sahha bxejn. u gab investiment hawn malta li ghadna ingawduh sal lum wahda minhom ija lairmalta li dak iz zmien in nazzjonalisiti kienu jghidu ghasafar tac comb holoq is sea malta u dal gvern bieghha holoq il mid med bank dal gvern biehu holoq il freeport holoq ftehim ma cina holoq ftheim ma litalja u sar dak il famus protokol taljan li ghadna ingawdu minhu sa llum. iftghhu mohhokhom kull partit fih it tajjeb u il hazin tieghu
victor rodenas
Jun 29th 2010, 11:40
well done, ST is the backbone of the industry in malta, as the Drydocks was many years ago.
Jennifer Montanaro
Jun 29th 2010, 12:24
The Doom and Gloom Brigade must be shocked by this great show of trust and confidence in Malta. But soon it will come out with some sort of story to obscure this big investment. Probably the D&GB will soon start repeating what it was saying up to a few months ago that ST was going to close down.
Anthony Briffa
Jun 29th 2010, 12:27
Except for a couple of years under the administration of Swan Hunter, the drydocks, thanks to the GWU and Labour, rather than being the backbone of our industry, was the super drain of the of Malta's coffers.
Please choose the reason of your report below: