A total of 110 small and medium-sized companies have benefited from the EU-sponsored micro-credit finance scheme, which has enabled them to invest some €16 million in the economy.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi yesterday visited one of these companies, the family-run E&L Enterprises that specialises in metal works.
Operating from a yard in Ta’ Kandja, the company took a soft loan of €26,000 to buy modern galvanising equipment that will enable it to expand its business operations.
The micro-credit scheme to the tune of €52 million, called Jeremie, is administered by Bank of Valletta and is financed by the EU with a contribution of €10 million from government. An enterprise fair, Intrapriża Malta, is being held at MFCC in Ta’ Qali this weekend, showcasing 60 small and medium-sized companies benefiting from the schemes.
On Friday and Saturday, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. On Sunday it will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.