Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning visited the Birkirkara head offices of Michele Peresso Group where he was shown a PV panel investment which reduced the building's electricity bill by 17 per cent.

The group's CEO Emanuel Peresso said the project cost €112,000 but was half paid for by the ERDF energy grant scheme.

The company is in "advanced talks" to invest in a PV farm with foreign partners, he added, urging the authorities to keep supporting private investment in alternative energy.

Mr Peresso said the company, which owns Eurosport and Europharma among other subsidiaries, employed 135 workers, 73 per cent of whom were women.

Besides its 21 retail outlets around Malta and Gozo, the company is now planning to expand overseas, investing in its first retail shops in Libya through an investment of €700,000.

Mr Peresso said the company had also urged MCAST to introduce a course specifically for those who want to work in retail and a part-time course in retailing is starting in September.

Dr Gonzi praised the company for its educational initiative and for recognising the importance of alternative energy. He said Malta was blessed with sun and wind which should be exploited.

The Prime Minister also recognised that retail outlets like Eurosport had to compete with online stores. Thirty per cent of youths today shop for retail online. 

"This is a reality to which we must respond. Technology must be seen as an opportunity," he said, urging retail businesses to overcome the challenges brought about by the Internet.