An expression of interest will be published on Thursday for the running of the Malta film studios, Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis announced this morning.

Speaking at a news conference, Dr Zammit Lewis assured that the expression of interest was not a real estate project but that "every metre will be used for the film industry".

The project would entail re-developing the site, maintenance and the operation of the 90,000 square metre facility. It also includes the improvement of sound stages and back lots, the renovation of the water tanks as well as the promotion of the site.

The government would prefer a Public-Private Partnership and the concession will last 10 years.

Minister Edward Zammit Lewis and Film Commissioner Engelbert Grech.

Film Commissioner Engelbert Grech said that the film commission and the Lands Department had intervened to reclaim the studios from their private operator, who had defaulted on rent payments, to avoid a loss of momentum in the film industry.

Since the Malta Film Commission had completed the upgrade of the facilities there had not been one week without filming activity inside the studios, he said.

The film industry has seen a 650 per cent growth in investment last year, with €29 million being injected into the economy last year. This year's target is €100 million.

In 2012, the Civil Court ordered that land held by Mediterranean Film Studios is to be returned to the government after groundrent was not paid for several years, in breach of contract conditions.