'Malta offers an aura of stability' - Gonzi
Gonzi has promised to continue to bolster the online gaming and creative industries by working closely with its stakeholders.
14 February 2013, 12:00am
Jacob Borg
Jacob Borg
1 min read
Prime minister Lawrence Gonzi and finance minister Tonio Fenech visited a thriving gaming company based in Sliema this afternoon.
The visit was punctuated by several lighthearted moments, with many of the foreign staff impressed by the accessibility of the prime minister. One member of staff requested a picture with Gonzi "for his mother in law." No love lost there then.
The gaming company has expanded from a two-man operation to having over 90 employees, 25% of whom are Maltese.
Gonzi cited such examples of expansion as being "fruits of government planning in wanting to diversify to value added services."
The prime minister said that Malta's small size is an advantage in certain cases, as it allows the government to be in contact with the relevant stakeholders.
Gonzi said that an equivalent of finance Malta will be set up for the gaming and creative industry in order to promote the island.
"Employment in the gaming sector has grown from 3,000 to 7,000 persons over five difficult years. We will continue to work very close with the industry in order to nurture its expansion," Gonzi said.
The wily Gonzi wished the company directors well, and said that he hopes to meet them again next year as prime minister.
•
Thanks, Dr. Gonzi. The aura of stability may be enough for gaming companies but we Maltese citizens (who vote) prefer the substance of stability: purchasing power, a future to look forward to and a clean and efficient public administration of taxpayers' funds.
