Four companies collected documents following the government's call for expressions of interest in the running of a casino in Gozo, Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis said this morning.

Six companies collected documents related to a separate licence for the running of another casino in Malta.

Dr Zammit Lewis said this showed a healthy interest in the government's initiative and confidence in the country.

He made his comments at a press conference.

Economic Affairs Minister Chris Cardona, also present for the press conference, who said that 28 investors had shown an interest in the government's plans to turn the former Malta Shipbuilding yard into a maritime industry hub. A call for expressions of interest was issued recently.

Asked whether the former government's plans to built a business park in Mriehel would go ahead, he said the current government disagreed with those plans and the use of the site would be decided in terms of industry's needs.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia, who is responsible for the simplification of government processes, said he was holding regular meetings with Michael Falzon, commissioner against bureaucracy, and the Principal Permanent Secretary on ways to cut red tape. Meetings with civil servants and private operators would be held over the summer.