The plan to place two floating islands in the water off Marsalforn and Marsascala this summer has been abandoned because there was hardly any interest shown from businesses in taking up the project, the Times of Malta is informed.

The idea was hatched by Projects Malta, a new entity established by the government to come up with innovative projects involving public-private partnerships.

But sources close to the entity, which falls under the responsibility of Minister of Energy Konrad Mizzi, told this newspaper that the response to the two calls issued for tenders was “almost negligible”, so the project had to be shelved.

Projects Malta’s idea was to give entrepreneurs a 10-year concession on a 400-square-metre floating platform to be built by the business itself and to be used by bathers for free during the day.

Who would invest all this money to be at the mercy of a local council?

In return, the investors could run commercial activities on the islands outside normal swimming hours. These could include private parties and other social activities.

The areas earmarked for these projects were Banju tas-Sorijiet in Marsalforn and St Thomas bay in Marsascala.

While no offers were submitted for the platform off Marsalforn, only one offer was received in relation to the Marsascala island.

However, the company that submitted the tender, Steel Structures Ltd, was eliminated from the process as its submission was deemed not to have complied with tender conditions.

The company also offered just €20,000 per annum for the concession, which was considered too low by Projects Malta.

Sources within the government agency said it was very surprised by the lack of response, as initial studies had indicated there would be many entrepreneurs, particularly from the entertainment industry, interested in this business venture.

However, the sources said that the €100,000 that was expected as an investment to build each island and the limited period during which it could be used for commercial activities apparently discouraged a better response.

A businessman who was originally interested in the Marsacala project told the Times of Malta that the objections raised by the local council were not very encouraging either.

“The local council was demanding that every activity taking place on the floating island after 6pm should require a permit from it. Who would invest all this money to be at the mercy of a local council?” the businessman asked.

“I would have expected Projects Malta to clear up these issues before issuing a tender and not let us face the music,” he complained.