Updated - Adds Malta Enterprise reaction - The Labour Party said today that the prime minister should give details about a Dutch company, Aviation Cosmetics,  which he had said, would set up shop in Malta to carry out aircraft paintwork.

Party investments spokesman Chris Cardona and tourism spokesman Gavin Gulia said that Dr Gonzi had spoken about this company in the same Times debate when he spoke of a major Brazilian company transferring its headquarters to Malta. 

Dr Cardona said that Aviation Cosmetics was meant to relocate from Eindhoven and use two hangars in Malta with an investment of €22m. Yet nothing had materialised other than the formation of a company with the minimum share capital possible. He said the company had not observed its contractual obligations with Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks, and not paid its rent of €250,000 per annum and the guarantee of €4 million. No one has been employed yet.

This episode, Dr Cardona said, further undermined the prime minister's credibility. The same thing, he added, had happened not only for the Brazilian company, but also for SmartCity. 

Dr Gulia recalled that the managing director of Aviation Cosmetics had said: “It is a very complex building and at the time the Government wanted us to sign the contract…but we were not quite ready for it.”

He asked what the government's hurry was about. 

MALTA ENTERPRISE REACTION

In a reaction, Malta Enterprise said talks were continuing with Aviation Cosmetics on the implementation of this project. The company has been working since May to ensure that it can provide the guarantees necessary for Malta Enterprise to authorise construction works.