The first phase of the Migration Museum being set up at Dar l-Emigrant in Valletta should be finished by the end of the year, the Emigrants' Commission said this morning.

The museum, on migration from the Maltese islands, is being set up on the initiative of the commission, which was established to assist emigrants in their preparation for a new life abroad and to retain a close relationship with the families they left in Malta.

The initial part of phase one will include the embellishment of the museum's main hall, including design, flooring, plastering, electrical works painting.

Work will then move on to the installation of a table style central Information podium and a museum interactive system.

The central information podium will consist of eight LED screens, eight touch screen interfaces and computers to drive the various screens.

The interactive system presents an opportunity to display a large number of items and present the information aimed at the visitor in an attractive and interactive way.

Visitors will be encouraged to use the central podium and browse through the digitised information by using hand gestures over the various screens.

The Emigrants' Commission said this morning it has entrusted Exalta Group with the project.