Not enough students are graduating to meet the needs of the growing pharmaceutical industry in Malta, Siegfried (Generics) Malta Ltd plant manager Vittorio Giromini said this morning.

He was speaking during a visit by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, during which the pharmaceutical company announced a €7 million expansion plan to be implemented by 2013.

Mr Giromini said the pharmaceutical industry in Malta was growing at a faster rate than students were graduating in the field, creating competition for human resources.

This situation was opposite to what was happening in other countries.

The company currently employs 80 people who will be increased to 100 with the expansion. It has a revenue of around €6.5 million and by 2010 it invested €23 million in Malta.

With the expansion, the company is expected to double its production.

Dr Gonzi noted that Malta Industrial Parks had invested €17 million in making the Hal Far industrial estate, where the company is situated, more presentable.

He also encouraged more young people to take up studies in this field.