Brazilian company closed shop, minister admits
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The Brazilian company at the centre of political controversy since it was mentioned during a debate between the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader last Friday, had now closed shop, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech admitted this morning.
Speaking during a visit to ArrowPharma in Hal Far, Mr Fenech admitted that the company, which remained unnamed, had closed shop but said that, at one point, it employed 35 people.
He said the company had relocated to Malta from Libya because of the situation there but since the situation in the Arab state had not improved, it had now decided to close shop.
Dr Gonzi had first mentioned the arrival of the Brazilian company without naming it in February during a debate with Dr Muscat that was organised by The Times.
The Prime Minister had described it as “a very big company” that got to know about the island at the height of the Libya crisis when it evacuated its workers through Malta.
CLARIFICATION
In a clarification this afternoon, the minister said that 160 new factores had started-up or expanded investing €350 million.
This meant the creation of 3,700 jobs over a three-year period.
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Alfred J. McEwen
Nov 11th 2012, 09:46
Alfred J. McEwen
GonziPN is a refined version of a shady car dealer trying to sell us a shonky story and trying to fool the general public not SOME of the time, but ALL of the time. The PN performance or better to say ``the lack of it`` is getting this country, it`s demography and it`s economy to go down the gurgler pretty damned fast.
Anthony Scicluna
Nov 10th 2012, 15:05
It does take the MLP to rejoice at failed investment and 35 people losing their jobs.
It does take MLP to put the interests of workers first.
It does take MLP to miss the forest for the trees and blame global market economics on the works of a single man.
It does MLP to ignore the core of business competitively, innovation, when talking to MEA.
Charles Micallef
Nov 10th 2012, 08:35
The Prime Minister should apologies to the general public if he wants to gain some credibility back! He got it wrong period! ...and should accept that he is not infallible and that we the voters are not idiots and accept all the trash that we are constantly being fed!
Joe Brincat-LL.D
Nov 10th 2012, 08:11
Hats off to the press. Journalists persisted with their questioning, until they finally exposed the facts. Now the question is: was this an honest mistake ? If not, what ?
mark borg
Nov 10th 2012, 07:59
gonzipn pappagalment il hin kollhu jiprova jdahhal f halq in nies u jipretendi li il pl itih rendikont dettaljat ta kull haga li jrid jimplimenta u huma jisparaw kemm haddmu nies u kemm dahhal miljuni il pajjiz...jghidilna ezempju u jtina rendikont idettaljat ta kif gabu l ghaxar telef kumpanija ......jew kif ezempju gab dawk il 150 miljun li zied lil min jahdem mal gvern ? .....
Charles Caruana Carabez
Nov 10th 2012, 07:41
You won't print this, I think. The policy of all is fair in love and war has produced defeats and imprisonments. The Axis believed they should be ruthless in the pursuit of victory and harvested defeat. So shall the PN, I am afraid, because votes are given on trust, which has been seriously maimed, and no poster can regain it. And all this for a round of applause on Xarabank? Art thou wise?
fred fellon
Nov 10th 2012, 06:01
Gonzi P N , do us and your country a big favor, give us an early Christmas gift, call for an election NOW.
Anthony Paul Naudi
Nov 10th 2012, 05:44
Ghax meta sar l-argument fuq xarabank ma saritx sqarrija mill-ewwel li din il-kumpanija kienet tassew hawn li haddmet 35 ruh u li kienet ghalqet il-bibien taghha. H'hemm hazin li wiehed jghid il-verita. Allura xi hadd inqeda b'Tonio Fenech xi jghamel l-istqarrija. In-nies mhux pupi bla mohh tafux !! veru li infethu hafna ohrajn u sar investiment kbir imma ma hawnx isbah mil verita.
A.P.Naudi
A Caruana
Nov 9th 2012, 23:35
What about smart city and the thousands of jobs promised to computer specialists? My son is studying computing based on that promise, so when will these jobs materialise if ever?
pat muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 23:32
Oh my, an other gaffe from a Minister who insulted us by saying that he would not let Air Malta in the hands of a 'cuc Malti' ?
Joseph Micallef
Nov 9th 2012, 23:05
U leee.. GonziPN big looser! each day he clings to power, is not only a day lost for our nation, but is a shameful day on GonziPN. I'm so glad that I left GonziPN's party. I loved the nationalist party and adored it, but the PN has vanished and I wish that one day, the PN will resurrect as a good alternative for Partit Laburista which is proving itself as the party we need now.
Marco Farrugia
Nov 9th 2012, 22:47
Does he know what he is saying? 350 million jobs???? Admit that you did a mess in this sector and don't try to deceive us with foolish reasoning.
Peter Agius
Nov 10th 2012, 06:41
Its 350 million euros..... not jobs........admit that you comment before actually reading.
Carl Mizzi
Nov 10th 2012, 06:56
I think you have to read the article again Mr. farrugia.... he said 350 million euros not jobs!!!
and 3700 jobs over a 3 year period!
Alan Xuereb
Nov 10th 2012, 08:18
I think you need to re-read the article again...
Luciano Pace Parascandalo
Nov 10th 2012, 08:38
seems like u still need to learn to understand what you read....3,700 jobs.....350 million euros invested
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 9th 2012, 21:25
Incredible that there are so many twits around.Little wonder Labour is leading in the polls.However as they say empty vessels make most sound.The discerning voter sees the whole picture,is not impressed by trivialities,is not taken in by empty promises,and bases his choice on actual performance not on slogans,like we will let you work, and utopias.Outcome of elections is determined by floaters.
Lou Camilleri
Nov 9th 2012, 21:12
Why does the Prime Minister need to resort to such feeble and lame examples of foreign investment in Malta?
Someone please illuminate me?
Joe Busuttil
Nov 9th 2012, 20:37
Gonzipn apologists are getting fewer and fewer by the minute. Are they seeing the light or are they embarrassed?
pat muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 19:24
Ah, if only GonziPN brought about the equivalent of an other SGS Thomsom (lured to Malta by Labour and still exporting 50%+ of our exports) there would have been no need for the half truth of the Brazilian 50 million investment as uttered by the Prime Minister on Xarabank! No apology?
Emmanuel Cachia
Nov 9th 2012, 18:56
Smart City, White Rocks, Ta Qali Crafts Village, Bacir No 1 u issa din ic-cirasa fuq il-kejk. Imma dan il-PM possibli daqshekk maqtugh mir realta' jew issa qed jehodha for granted li jista' jibqa' jghaddi n nies biz zmien??? Jien kull bicca ahbar li tohrog m'ghadniex nemminha. M'hemmx dubju li il-'gurnalisti fuq kollox' se jiggriljawh fuqha din.....lol
S Portelli
Nov 9th 2012, 18:17
Labour not only won't work but don't change. I hope that Labour can repeat the success of a Nationalist party. French people have voted for a change. Today they are regretting what they have done.
R. Balzan
Nov 9th 2012, 19:05
@ S. Portelli - do you know that the the record for attracting foreign manufacturing companies to start operations in Malta is still by far that of the Labour governments of the 70's and 80's? Do you know that in those days our industrial estates were chock-full with manufacturing industries employing tens of thousands?
I Mercieca
Nov 9th 2012, 19:13
@ R.Balzan_ Int bis-serjeta jew? Dak iz-zmien ta dlam (fil-veru sens tal-kelma ta dlam, ghax l-anqas dawl fit-toroq ma kellna) 4 day week, wage freeze, time-off flok overtime u issikkar tac-cintorin kien hawn habib. Imhatra li diga nsejt! Infakkrek jien mhux problema.
Guido Farrugia
Nov 9th 2012, 20:21
Says who? S. Portelli...opps
Eddy Privitera
Nov 10th 2012, 11:14
I. Mercieaca: dak iz-zmien kien meta bdew uc-children allowance, il-bonus, il-minimum wage, pagi l-istess ghan-nisa bhal-irgie, 5 day 40 hour week, sptarijiet b'xejn, edukazzjoni terzjarja b'xejn, l-ewwel forma tal-istipendji bis-sistema student-haddiem, Air Malta, Sea malta, Gozo Channel u hafna u hafna servizzi socjali. Dan tghidlu dlam ? Mela kont tilbes nuccali bil-hgieg suwed ?
j brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 17:58
@ Adrian Gouder
"But truly, ...to remember the status of each and every investor that comes along?"
That's called being on the ball!
Mela, what do you expect? He first tries to be sensational in an attempt to catch his opponent off guard and then you come along and write this off as non event.
Ghost City No 2!
What's next?
(jb)
godwin difesa
Nov 9th 2012, 18:27
You know what is next employing 8700 people with the civil like PL did when they knew they where going to loose after those disguised years of the eighties.PM have a lot more on his shoulders to take care not like the opposition they have noting to do as the opposition is all so done by Ex PN supporters,and MPs.Even JM
was mistaken as he said it was aviation company he taught it was Lufthansa.
Joe Muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 20:57
Sur Difesa....Ghax ma tmurx sa l-isptar halli tara l-hela ta flus fuq l-impjieg ghal-xejn..... Security guard f'kull kantuniera.....Dawn Qatt ma rajthom? Viva l-Kuntratt ....Meta trid nibdew inqabblu.... U qed tghid li L-PM ghandu hafna x'jerfa...L-anqas kien kapaci jahtar Ministru ta' l-intern ghax jibza. Allura ha r-risponsabbilta hu...U tant hu miggieled ma 'SHABU' li m'ghandu l-hadd min jahtar
E Gatt
Nov 9th 2012, 17:42
The boom in financial services is a direct consequence of the excellent conditions introduced by a PN government.
Scores of international companies have set up shop in Malta, and it is the nature of the game that occasionally some projects don’t materialize. This is free enterprise, and the government should not, and has not, interfered with businesses that have shown interest in Malta.
mark borg
Nov 9th 2012, 21:04
do not forget that labour voted in parlament with the governmnet in favour of malta becoming a tax jurisdiction ......and realy practically they gave it away for free ,at just 5%
charles tabone
Nov 9th 2012, 17:39
So Mr Fenech realises what a liar his superior has been, as always. Why all the delay? Probably Dr Gonzi was looking forward to point an accusing finger at Dr Muscat for the demise of the brazilian enterprise in Malta. Would Dr Gonzi go back to XARABANK and intone his mea culpa.
Michael Magri
Nov 9th 2012, 17:32
WHAT... A clear case of GonziPN & Klikka, counting the chickens before they hatch...!!!!!
Or he wanted to take us ALL, Maltese cwiec, (he thinks), for a ride, ( to `Brasil` ), but NOT Succeded...!!
Hallina Prim please.. Do yourself a favour, and MORE SO our Country, and just call an election..PERIOD
Joseph Fava
Nov 9th 2012, 17:13
The phantom Brazilian conglomerate, Ghost Town Smart City, the Great Sports City at White Rocks, ARMS sending us zero utility bills. What's next Dr Gonzi ? Hide yourself in shame. In the name of God go, you have made us all red in the face. Perhaps good old Peppi coached you into this quagmire and independent anchorman Lou Bondi is at his wits' end to save your tattered image but it's the end
B.C. Borg
Nov 9th 2012, 16:56
So why the government kept saying that it is still operating and not naming it. I don't think that a company closes down in just one day.
Question: opened 160 factories or companies? What type of factories? And how many closed factories or companies that started again under a new name and hence the new jobs?
Don't tell me this is something new for your ears.
Pav Elliot
Nov 9th 2012, 16:54
GonziPN and those defending their pretty ridiculous lies are just making it worse. The 1900's brought the industrial age, and the 2000's brought the information age, followed by transparency for most of the modern world, but not for the PM and a few thousand Nats, it seems.
As for the 160 factories and €350, the bulk of that credit goes to hard-working Maltese private entrepreneurs.
James Ellul
Nov 9th 2012, 16:53
This government has really gone crazy!!!
first they say its a 'big company', now they tell us that it employed 35 people at max
this is another issue that will cost the PN the election and which the LP will mention forever!!!
I will not vote for the MLP as I trust Muscat far less than Gonzi. Everyone makes mistakes but surely not so often! ...they really need to get their act together
stephen mifsud
Nov 9th 2012, 16:29
So why all the secrecy ?? say it and move on ...
Joe Grech
Nov 9th 2012, 16:00
Minister Tonio Fenech and the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi have come out looking like irresponsible and inefficient fools! Worse than that the P.M. has shown he is a big liar! Hopefully they will send an apology to the voters come election day!
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 16:26
irresponsible and inefficient fools ... 160 new factores had started-up or expanded investing €350 million ... you seriously need to do a reality check!! and for the good of everyone, find the remote and change the channel from OneTV ... it is not doing you any good!
Joe Grech
Nov 9th 2012, 16:38
Joseph Aquilina - do you really BELIEVE the nonsensical propaganda being churned out by NET and TVM? 160 factories started up or expanded....you really must be joking. It was reported only TODAY that exports decreased enormously lately. How do you explain that?
Andrew Cumbo
Nov 9th 2012, 17:11
Mr. Aquilina Can you at least name half of these companies that or expanded or are new? So why we have an unemployment rate of 6.4% ? Waiting for your reply.
Joe Muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 17:40
Joe Aquilina.... They couldn't even tell us the truth about one Brazilian company....You think we are going to believe the 160 new factories... u hallina..... Int forsi ghax tibilghu kollox.......Nassigurak li din l-ahhar sena ma rajtux darba s-Super One...ghax ma tantx nara TV ...imma ma jfissirx li mhux qed nghix f'dinja... Ir-Reality check ghamilha int.... forsi tqum naqra..
Paul Bajada
Nov 9th 2012, 15:43
On Xarabank last Friday, Gonzi was crystal clear... He said that the company IS OPERATING OUT OF MALTA. If it is closed how can it operates its headquarters out of Malta?
When did the company officially close?
If this is clearly NOT LYING, then what is it? And what do we call those who lie?
Do you want to trust a PM who would lie to you on small things, let alone on something huge?
C Falzon
Nov 9th 2012, 15:32
So JM was right again. Dawk li kienu qed iwerzqu fuq it TV meta l Prim Ministru qal li hawn kumpanija kbira braziljana ma jghidu xejn? Minalih irid jidhaq bil poplu!!
William Caligari
Nov 9th 2012, 18:54
C.Falzon, wara gimgha ezatt kollox tar mar-rih.
Ahna inridu mill-kliem jghaddu ghal-fatti.
Mhux bizzejjed dahqu bina bil-weghda ta' l-Income-tax?
George Cutajar
Nov 9th 2012, 15:08
Why such a big deal about this company. Has anybody realised that under the PN we have had massive investments in the aviation services industry, the I gaming industry, the pharmaceutical industry and the financial services sector. These are not companies processing capers as was the case during the MLP administration. So what one company bit the dust. Big deal.
Willie Grech
Nov 9th 2012, 16:32
@ George Cutajar.
Your beloved leader did not mention any "massive investments" on Xarabank the other week. He mentioned the unnamed Brazilian Company with such pomp. That's why the 'big deal.' When you mention the capers factory you again take us back some 30 years. Those same years where good factories like SGS, Malta Rubber and Toly Products, are still part of Maltese economy.
godwin difesa
Nov 9th 2012, 17:13
@Willie You are still dreaming about the factories of 30 years ago.At least PL have 1 subject where they can make some opposition about this Brazilian company.Not even JM new about this company as he sad that it was an aviation company so he taught that it is an other investment like Lufthansa Teknik that way he was worried before the election i do not blame him.
Joseph Xuereb
Nov 9th 2012, 15:02
L-MLP ghamlu billboard b'Gonzi bi flokk tat-team nazzjonali Braziljan u joghxew b dawn ic-cucati ghax bhala ekonomija, sahha u edukazzjoni ghalqilhom halqhom ( u jafu pajjizi ohra qribna u il boghod mit-tbatija li ghaddejjin). Jien ghogobni dan il- billboard ghax bhat-team nazzjonali Braziljan meta nigu ghas-si u in-no, il-PN jirbah. Just kemm inehhu in-numru 0 u jaghmlu 6( rebhiet elettorali).
Andrew Cumbo
Nov 9th 2012, 17:20
Taf x'qieghed tghid imma possibli ma tafx kemm qieghed id-deficit ta pajjizna. Fil qasam ta' sahha qeghdin tajjeb? Bnejna sptar li gie jiswa €700 miljun u f' inqas min 5 snin g]andna bzonn ta' sptar iehor biex nehhu pazjenti min gol kuriduri. Fl- edukazzjoni qeghdin tajjeb? Meta ghandna wahda mil- oghla rati ta' studenti literatti u li ma jkomplu li studji wara 16 il- sena fl- EU.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 9th 2012, 17:35
Joseph Xuereb: Semmi kemm rebhiet ghamel Gonzi mindu Dr. Muscat ha t-tmexxija tal-PL ? ZERO - KOLLHA TILIFHOM !
Joseph Xuereb
Nov 9th 2012, 17:55
Sur Cumbo fuq il-livell tad -deficit ghadha kemm harget risposta minghand Rehn tal-Ue. Fuq l-edukazzjoni nahseb ghadek timmagina li ha jsiru ir-repeater classes. U lil min qed jirreferi ghar-rebhiet jaf li il-Brazil jirbhu il-World Cups u ghalhekk tajbin u mhux friendlies. Taf tajjeb li l-elezzjoni hi l-aktar rebha importanti.
Andrew Cumbo
Nov 9th 2012, 20:45
Dejjem isemmu il- passat, meta ha titghallmu? Min illum ghandu 25 sena ma jinteressah xejn dak li qieghed tghid int. Iz- zmien jghatina parir, nahseb li kieku il- Gvern jinsab komdu jew qieghed ihossu konvint daqs kemm int konvint int, ilu li sejjah l-elezzjoni. Imma tant jinsab f' qada kritika li lanqas il- budget ma jrid ihabbar. L- UE taf kemm ghandhom dejn il- korporazzjonijiet !?
Vince Piscopo
Nov 10th 2012, 06:11
Yes granted six electoral defeats but look at the mess we are in now. No one with genuine intentions who truly would like to see a more prospering Malta in terms of a better standard of living believes GonziPN anymore. I am certain that if God forbid GonziPN is re-elected in office he would raise taxes, raise pensionable age and re-take the hefty weekly wage increase. Once bitten twice shy.
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:47
What is really SHAMEFUL is how lejber is JOYING at the 1 company that closed doors and ignoring the 160 that opened instead!! Just shows how lejber is full of people who couldn't care less about the good of Malta and the Maltese and are happy at every bad news because they thing this will get them POWER!! Which is what Magic Joseph and his group of pensioners-to-be-ministers care about!! Shameful!
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:42
The fact remains that Gonzi never lied; the company is a very big international company, the company did open shop in Malta, unfortunately, because of things outside the control of Malta this one company had to close; 160 NEW FACTORIES OPENED INSTEAD!! This news item just shows us the great work the government is doing when around us not everything and not everyone is doing as good as us!!
Victor Pulis
Nov 9th 2012, 14:59
All the more reason to ask why the Pm had to mention this particular company. He had 160 other companies to choose from. He is giving the oppostion cannon balls to fire back at him.
L. Chircop
Nov 9th 2012, 15:04
And How many closed down if i may ask?
John B. Borg
Nov 9th 2012, 15:25
On Xarabank Prime Minister Gonzi triumphantly announced that the company in question moved its HEADQUARTERS from Brazil to Malta. A couple of days ago Tonio Fenech said that the company opened a BACK OFFICE in Malta. The fact remains that the Prime Minister messed up big time on XARABANK
C A Camilleri
Nov 9th 2012, 15:34
What gets to me is the pompous way Dr Gonzi came out for this big international company making people believe that it was to be a big job creator when in fact it was just hot air. Many companies just use the address in Malta for tax purposes and would not exclude that this was one of them. The rest was just make up. A company like this can afford unlawful dismissal cases. Catch the drift?
Anthony Paris
Nov 9th 2012, 15:42
You are so right Mr. Aquilina. I suppose it is Dr. Gonzi's being out of touch,with what's going on in Malta that instead of talking about 160 new factories creating 3700 jobs, he picked on this Brazilian company.
Paul Borg
Nov 9th 2012, 15:47
According to 3 reliable economic surveys, Malta could be doing a lot better and with a lot less debt. So now we opt for the PL option and go even further. Maybe in 25 years time , the PN will have it's house in order again and we'll opt to vote PN again.
Mario Scicluna
Nov 9th 2012, 15:48
@Joseph Aquilina
Unbelievable! How gullible can you GonziPN apologists get? So the so-called HQ according to you and your Gonzi for such a 'large company', probably trying to cover the Med, is just 4 workers?? So if Porche or Daimler or GM were to open a temporary office here for 5 months employing 1 doorman,1 receptionist and 3 clerks , will that say that the company set up shop here in Malta?
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 16:27
@Paul Borg
I would be very interested to read those surveys!
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 16:29
@Mario Scicluna
Gonzi mentioned the company is coming to Malta in FEBRUARY. FACT IS THAT the company is a large MULTINATIONAL COMPANY and indeed it did OPEN DOOR in Malta. Therefore he did not lie. In NOVEMBER (i.e. - 10 MONTH LATER) the company closed doors for reasons outside the hands of Malta!! How can you say that Gonzi lied?? He simply informed Joseph Muscat that the company indeed opened.
Mr CHARLIE BORG
Nov 9th 2012, 18:35
Mr.Aquilina if you believe the story about the 160 factories you believe everything !!!!!
Mr CHARLIE BORG
Nov 9th 2012, 18:51
Mr.Aquilina if you believe the story about the 160 factories you believe everything !!!!!
Michael Magri
Nov 10th 2012, 09:51
"...The fact remains that Gonzi never lied..." Says J Aquilina..... LOL :):):):)
Dream.. Dream.. Dreeeam.. Dreeeeeeeeam...!!!! Hallina Guz... Il-Poplu Maghdux CUC taf...!!!
Victor Pulis
Nov 9th 2012, 14:40
This very big company which employed 35 people never heard of Malta while it was operating a stone's throw away from our island! If they had looked at a map of the Med they would have noticed a piece of rock just north of Libya!
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:50
That just shows you how hard it is to attract new investment to our island!! People should not take such things for granted!!
Joe Borg (Senior)
Nov 9th 2012, 14:38
Jien kieku nisthi nohrog barra
Victor Pulis
Nov 9th 2012, 14:36
At last the suspence is over!
Mr Joe Cardona
Nov 9th 2012, 14:36
Fuq din il-PM ghandu jirrezenja minnufih kemm minn Kap tal-PN u aktar u aktar minn Prim Ministru.
Politici ohra barra minn Malta jirrezenjaw minnufih jewilla flok jirrezenja jinghata zieda fil-paga!!!!
Nistennew u naraw.
mario salnitro
Nov 9th 2012, 14:35
Proset Proset u Proset!!
Adrian Gouder
Nov 9th 2012, 14:34
Erm, Gafff!
But truly, is it realistic or reasonable to expect our politicians (all sides) to remember the status of each and every investor that comes along? I don't think so.
Anthony Paris
Nov 9th 2012, 15:44
So why talk about it? And why laugh at the opposition for not knowing about it?
Ivan M. Dingli
Nov 9th 2012, 14:21
I love PL's new billboard on the matter. Spot on!!
M Grima
Nov 9th 2012, 14:18
Oops,the balloon has burst!
Edward Mallia
Nov 9th 2012, 14:10
PN should have a contest for leader rather than deputy leader. The present leader's judgement is seriously open to question if he prepared to risk his and his party's neck just to gain a little political mileage. His hair-trigger reaction shows a dangerous tendency to rely on asmooth manner to cover a multitude of sins.
Paul Bajada
Nov 9th 2012, 16:00
how true that is! A PM who risks so much to win a stupid argument and gain some votes! Similar to what EFA did to Sant on TV.
Keith Muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 14:05
1:08 - onwards; avoiding main question
Joe Busuttil
Nov 9th 2012, 13:52
Why do you never answer the questions the press puts to you,but choose to say whatever is convenient to you E.g ". What investment did the Brazilian company make in Malta?" There were similar instances like this on other occasions so that your answers did not make any sense. And about the PL spin as regards this company, what about the PM describing 4 jobs as a very big company? Poor show,Tonio.
Etienne Psaila
Nov 9th 2012, 13:45
Din il kumpanija mhux veru fethet Malta. Kul ma ghamlet giet hawn temporanjament ghax fil-Libja kien hemm l-inkwiet. Grazzi lil Prim Ministru li pprova jidhaq bin-nies u jibda d-dibattitu billi min ghalih jahsad lil kap tal-oppozizzjoni.
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:52
Fil fatt hasdu ghax il beloved leader of the opposition did not know the company opened doors and was ready to close them!! Just shows his credibility when he tells us he knows what we Maltese are going through!!
j brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 13:29
"In a clarification this afternoon, the minister said that 160 new factories had started-up or expanded investing €350 million.
This meant the creation of 3,700 jobs over a three-year period"
WOW!!!!
Really?????
(jb)
H. Psaila
Nov 9th 2012, 21:27
At least it is better off than creating corps like Dirghajn Il-Maltin, Izra u Rabbi, Bahhar u Sewwi and being paid peanuts in order to reduce unemployment. That is WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW for a MLP government
j brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 13:27
Another, in a series, of political gaffes by GonziPN!
(jb)
j brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 13:24
"The Brazilian company at the centre of political controversy since it was mentioned during a debate between the Prime Minister and the Opposition leader last Friday, had now closed shop"
Henceforth, what does GonziPN expect us to believe?
The second Ghost City gimmick!
Who knows what's more in store.
(jb)
M. Debono
Nov 9th 2012, 13:06
I think this interview clearly expresses the PN's current lack of respect and arrogance, a simple apology and good faith would have gone a long way. Terrible, especially his last comment before walking off.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 12:50
The Prime Minister had described it as “a very big company”
Brazilian company closed shop , I guess they found Malta to SMALL
HA HA HI
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:45
Go find about the company and see for yourself if it is not a big company or not; in fact it is an international company. Unfortunately here in Malta it was not successful. However I cant see how lejber expected Gonzi to know in FEBRUARY that the company would close doors in NOVEMBER!! Not even Magic Joseph is able to read the future ... in fact he has problems even to read the past!!
A Galea
Nov 9th 2012, 14:47
What exactly do you find amusing in a company closing from Malta?
Joseph Brincat
Nov 9th 2012, 18:01
A Galea
@ What exactly do you find amusing in a company closing from Malta?
Find it amusing for it haven't started , and it closed down ????
HA HA HI
Victor Calleja
Nov 9th 2012, 12:37
Ghadkhom tghidu li il PM mar ahjar min JM f'Xarabank?
Eddy Privitera
Nov 9th 2012, 12:36
When were the 35 people employed ? For how long were they employed ? I just can't believe anything said by these people !
Joe Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 12:26
Of course they would close shop do you blame them given the way they are being treated by the press and opposition (governement in waiting). Attracting businesses and keeping them in Malta is not as easy as many may think, and this goes to prove it. The type of industires that Malta has decided to build it's economy on can be relocated very easily not like the manufacturing industries of the past
A Galea
Nov 9th 2012, 14:51
Joe, in all fairness, do you think anyone actually closes because of bad press? If they did, they must have been doing something shady from the beginning. Don't twist facts to suit your conjectures, it's been done enough already.
John Zammit
Nov 9th 2012, 14:58
@ Joe Aquilina Be honest at least with yourself and say that the question was sparked by Dr.Gonzi Boosting of another in the Pipeline after which the Dr.Muscat just Inquired about the Brazilian Company. The PL only came to know about the closing down this week. The Name was never published
P Bonnici
Nov 9th 2012, 12:24
It appears that this Brazilian company sought temporary transitory sanctuary in Malta following the Libyan uprising.
Paul Caruana
Nov 9th 2012, 12:21
The PM should know better than to undermine his own credibility, even if done by under duress and in the heat of a political debate.
Michael Hudson
Nov 9th 2012, 12:17
Jaqq, simply jaqq.
Joe Pace Asciak
Nov 9th 2012, 12:15
Time to celebrate with a billboard, dragging into partisan politics a foreign country.
Cristinu Vella
Nov 9th 2012, 12:14
Years ago when I visited Brazil on business Brazilians hardly heard of Malta but I tell you what Brothers and Sisters they heard of them days Prime Minester Don Mintoff,
P. Vincenti
Nov 9th 2012, 12:13
I do not want to get drawn into politics but I cannot understand how irresponsible we can sometimes be.
Globalization is forcing a convergence across the world. It is never, ever wise to embroil any company that looks at our Island with a view to investing here, into a political point scoring game.
No good can come from this. This kind of behavior affects our economy. Both sides, stop it.
Simon Bonello
Nov 9th 2012, 12:12
ma nafx x wicc irid ikollok biex tidher quddiem in nies wara li l ewwel taghmel stqarrija li gibt investiment kbir f Malta, umbaghad gimgha wara jigi ministru u jghid li din ghalqet !
saviour frendo
Nov 9th 2012, 12:10
Pity that I won't be learning the Samba. Was looking forward for next carnival celebrations, but it seems that this year carnival started early in November.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 9th 2012, 12:06
Fi zmien mintoff, dan kien ser jiftah fabbrika TAL-KAPPAR li thaddem hafna nies.
DIN IL-FABBRIKA l-ANAQAS BISS TWAQQFET JEW FETHET, AHSEB U ARA KEMM KIENET IMPJEGAT HAFNA NIES.
Kull min jgholli idejh ghandu xi jxomm, fosthom l-partit lejburista.
Willie Grech
Nov 9th 2012, 14:59
@ Angelo Vassallo.
FYI flok il-fabbrika tal-Kappar twaqqfu l-Airmalta, SeaMalta, BOV, Mid-Med, EneMalta, ecc. Barra dan twaqqfu fabbriki bhal SGS, Toly, Malta Rubber ecc li minkejja li tghidu li hawn ricessjoni (barra f'Malta) dawn kollha baqghu joperaw ghax Mintoff jiddilja ma nies serji biss kien. Ara intom tiftakar l-AMS, fost l-ohrajn? Kollha jigu jahtfu xi haga u jparpru l'hemm.
Victor Calleja
Nov 9th 2012, 15:24
Fi zmien Mintoff fethet il Malta rubber, SGS, financial services, etc etc
Eddy Privitera
Nov 9th 2012, 16:04
Angelo, ruhi, fi zmien Mintoff fethet l-aqwa kumpanija li ghadha tezisti sa llum- ST MICROELECTRONICS. U mhux ghalqet wara erba t'ijiem !
j camilleri
Nov 9th 2012, 16:50
Fi zmien Mintoff infethu hafna affarijiet li ghadek tgawdi bihom sa llum fosthom il-beneficcji b'xejn li mghandix dubju li ghamilt xi uzu minnhom xi darba jew ohra ux siehbi. Ovvjament ma' trid tinsa minjaf kemm mort vaganzi fuq l-AirMalta li l-partit tieghek minjaf kemm ghajruh bihom l-ghasafar tac-comb !!! is-Sea Malta u l-lista ma' tieqaf qatt daqs kemm jibqa jitla l-kappar ...
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 9th 2012, 11:51
Is Labour happy now that the company has closed shop?
L. Chircop
Nov 9th 2012, 14:56
No Labour is Never Happy with these type of Situations unlike PN want us to believe. Labour = ''Partit tal-Haddiem'' and is never Happy with Businesses closing down. The problem Mr. Briffa is that Company hasn't closed shop NOW it closed shop before Xarabank's Program on Friday and PM Gonzi still lied in front of Malta. Now that my Friend is a Sad Sad situation. There is nothing to be happy about!
Martin Saliba
Nov 9th 2012, 15:06
Of course not but in any case the issue here isn't whether Labour is happy or not but whether your PM lied or not . It would have been better if you said nothing instead of trying to defend someone who has clearly mislead the pubic , yourself included.
Victor Calleja
Nov 9th 2012, 15:23
Of course the labour is not happy. It would have been much better to start a new legislature with an increase with gainfully occupied.
But unfortunately Gonzipn is not credible and he is moving us towards a brick wall.
S Cachia
Nov 9th 2012, 11:51
Speaking during a visit to ArrowPharma in Hal Far, Mr Fenech admitted that the company, which remained unnamed, had closed shop but said that, at one point, it employed 35 people.
The Prime Minister had described it as “a very big company”
A very big company with 35 people, then what is SGS (to name one) brought by Dom Mintoff? Astronomical company?!
EPIC FAIL Mr PM
E. Azzopardi
Nov 9th 2012, 11:50
Good, now that is honesty for you.
So, what do those who have boasted about this company, have to say for themselves? THEY WILL SAY NOTHING.
Come on, the PEOPLE deserve better than what has been happening, more so of lately?
john muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 11:49
Who are we going to believe, the PM or Mr. Fenech? Hawwadni ha nifmek.
Salvu Attard
Nov 9th 2012, 11:48
Propoganda hhisa mimlija gideb, kif tista tafdah l.il Gonzi PN
Ethelbert Schembri
Nov 9th 2012, 11:47
Thanks Gonzi for the great investments you've brought to Malta .. This is one of the finest examples of those investments that will mark the Gonzi legacy..
A huge big ZERO!!
Anthony Scicluna
Nov 9th 2012, 17:38
You have absolutely no idea do you? What about the financial services AND the betting industry for starters?
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 9th 2012, 11:47
I think now the LP billboard that describe Gonzi as just 'Pacpac' is getting more credence every minute.
Mr Mike Farrugia
Nov 9th 2012, 11:43
There is nothing wrong with companies packing up. Nobody will ever prevent this from happening again. The issue is not about brasilian companies. It's about credibility. The PM tried to redicule Muscat on Xarabank and attempted to get him on the wrong foot. It backfired as the PM didn't know that the company had closed shop.....or he knew and he lied about it, which is much more serious.
Jeffrey Mallia
Nov 9th 2012, 11:42
As far as we know, this company use to employ 4 people and not 35...........lie after lie after lie.....
Joseph E Briffa
Nov 9th 2012, 16:51
@Jeffrey...it's not the number of people a company employs. The time of textile factories employing hundreds of unskilled or semiskilled labour with hardly any value added is long gone. Such factories set up shop in India or Malaysia where they pay peanuts.Malta has moved on from that stage.. They were good for 60s and 70s. However Labour still have the same mindset; they haven't changed a bit.
Jonathan Gauci
Nov 9th 2012, 11:42
lol
Michael Magri
Nov 9th 2012, 11:40
Allura Dr Gonzi .. Tried to mislead..!! Knew that he was not telling the truth..!! Took a political chance of a gimmick for the gallery of Xarabank..!! W H A T....!!! But i`m sure that Dr. Gonzi must have known all the facts AND the political consequences, but he still took his political chances.
Thank you Dr Muscat and PL, for uncovering the political deceipt of Dr. Gonzi in this case..
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
Nov 9th 2012, 11:40
What a scandal! Misleading the electorate and then asking for his vote.
Victor Laiviera
Nov 9th 2012, 11:39
Iż-żejt jitla' f'wiċċ l-ilma
jew, fi kliem ieħor,
Il-giddieb għomru qasir.
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:55
The only problem with what you are saying is that Gonzi never lied. The Brazilian company he talked about is a MULTINATIONAL COMPANY. The company DID OPEN DOORS HERE IN MALTA when he first talked about the subject in FEBRUARY. The company - because of things outside the hands of the PM - closed doors!! Joseph Muscat was so well prepared for the debate that he did not know any of those points!!!!!!
Mr T Zahra
Nov 9th 2012, 11:38
Ouch....that must have hurt
Emanuel. Vella.
Nov 9th 2012, 11:34
kienu jafu li ha talaq u gie jiftahar fuq xarabank li hawn kumpanija braziljana li ha tinvesti f'pajjizzna,mamma mia x'biza.
david xerri
Nov 9th 2012, 11:32
Hahahaha good one ;-)
Alison Bezzina
Nov 9th 2012, 11:31
Sigh!
A week later, and still half a truth.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121104/blogs/the-bait.444011
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 15:03
I do not think there are any half truths here. Gonzi did not lie in February and did not lie on Friday debate. The company IS a multinational company and the company DID open offices in Malta!
Roderick Micallef
Nov 9th 2012, 11:29
You are trying to take everyone for a ride but you are failing time and time again, this strategy is only making it more difficult for the PN to get on it's feet again. I am very sorry to say this but now I find it VERY difficult to believe the minister that this company 'at one point' employed 35 people. Most probably the reality is more like 5 people, even if 35 was true it's not exactly 'BIG'
Ivan Falzon
Nov 9th 2012, 11:28
Any scriptwriters out there? this fable would surely make a blockbuster
V Mercieca
Nov 9th 2012, 11:27
On Xarabank someone told the prime minister that he lost trust in him (in the PM). Dr Gonzi asked the person to weigh everything.
Yes, hearing the Dr Gonzi saying a BIG FAT LIE just to gain advantage on Dr Muscat at that moment made me convinced more than ever that I MUST NEVER trust Dr Gonzi ever again.
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 14:59
The only big fat lie you hear is from OneNews every evening!! Gonzi first talked about this company in February. The company did actually open doors in Malta. The company for reasons outside the control of the PM had to close doors. So did he lie in February when he said a big company was coming the Malta? Did he lie in Friday debate when he said the company did open its doors? NO HE DID NOT!!
B. Borg
Nov 9th 2012, 11:24
Brazil = Zero, Tonio Fenech = 350 Million
j camilleri
Nov 9th 2012, 11:23
time to step down gonz
B. Borg
Nov 9th 2012, 11:23
I always believed that someone in the position as our Finance Minister should have a little knowledge of working with numbers. So I have reviewed this footage over and over again, but I still can’t believe what he said that in the last 4 years 350,000,000 jobs were created.
Is Joseph Muscat unaware of this too?
Edward Mallia
Nov 9th 2012, 11:23
No comment really necessary. Just a suggestion that the PN should change the contest for a deputy leader into one for leader, given that the present incumbent has shot himself in both feet, merely to try and score a cheap political point over the leader of the Opposition.
john muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 11:20
Now who do we believe, the PM or Mr. Fenech? Hawwadni ha nifmek. lol
Joseph Agius
Nov 9th 2012, 11:19
Good of minister Fenech to pick up the bill. Someone had to do it, better sooner than later.
Terence Zammit
Nov 9th 2012, 11:17
"jekk brazil 0 rest of the world 20000" ill x deputy leader se jkollom il PN zurulu min nofs lolllll
ahjar jejdilna min fejn gab it 20000 ax lanqas gonzi ma kien jaf fuq xarabank.
Chris Finch
Nov 9th 2012, 11:16
Did the PM know on Friday that this company had closed when claiming it as a big investment in Malta? If so he ought to resign.
R Mallia
Nov 9th 2012, 11:16
I want to hear Gonzi, not Tonio speaking about this.
Pamela Hansen
Nov 9th 2012, 11:15
What a spectacular own goal for the government.
Joe Aquilina
Nov 9th 2012, 15:18
Many teams have gone on to win a game, despite conceding an own goal.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 9th 2012, 18:57
@Joe Aquilina
''Many teams have gone on to win a game, despite conceding an own goal''
Not when you have your own team in shambles.....you have to start from there first.....
Mr Emmanuel Muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 11:11
Answer the question please
Mr Emmanuel Muscat
Nov 9th 2012, 11:10
Din ahjar
G Scerri Ventura
Nov 9th 2012, 11:06
X'misthija
Please choose the reason of your report below: