Dutch aviation refitters bring €22 million operation to Malta

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi presided over the signing of an agreement with Malta Enterprise with an international company that will relocate to the Safi aviation park at Castille, today morning.

Dutch company Aviation Cosmetics are bringing their €22 million operation to Malta from Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and seeking to employ a workforce of 80 from the island's emerging aviation sector.

Aviation Cosmetic's Tom Jensen said Malta proved itself attractive through the presence of other aviation companies, and said his operation would be working with similar companies like Lufthansa Technik.

The company specializes in the refitting and refurbishment of airliners and jets. Aviation Cosmetics will also be building two new hangars.

This agreement was also Alan Camilleri's last official act as Malta Enterprise executive chief. He was formerly Lawrence Gonzi's spokesperson.

"It is no coincidence that Malta is attracting more foreign investment," Gonzi said, who will inaugurate the Safi Aviation Park later this evening. "But we cannot take it for granted. We need the courage to take the right decisions and make use of our workforce."

"This investment is testimony to Malta's collective success in establishing a successful aviation cluster," Gonzi added.

The Prime Minister noted that Malta's success in the aviation sector is evidenced by the 1,000 people employed in this sector and said this was also acknowledged by the International Monetary Fund's report published earlier this week.

"To me and my Government, the significance of these investments solely lies in the employment opportunities they are creating.  To us, economic success equates to employment and to the opportunities we are able to create for our workers," he said.

In reference to the Opposition's criticism on the governemnt's economic performance Gonzi said "These results contradict the doomsayers and sceptics. Contrary to what is being claimed, Malta remains attractive to investment and our vision for the country is transforming itself into tangible results."

Finance minister Tonio Fenech described the announcement as as injection of fresh air into the economy.

"Such positive news continues to propel the Maltese economy into sustainable growth territory, which results in better job creation," Fenech said.

He added that the announcement evidences Malta's successful efforts to diversify and widen the economy and at the same time reducing the risk of being too dependent on  any particular sectors.  "This in fact, has helped us weather the economic turbulence over the past years and has been an important contributor to the stability we enjoy today," Fenech said.

The prime minister was unavailable for comment after the press event, with only PBS allowed access for follow-up questions. A Malta Enterprise (ME) official spoke briefly to the media at the end of the conference however when asked when the works on the project will commence he could only say that a further announcement will be made in the coming weeks. Asked whether the Dutch company is bound to employ a certain number of Maltese nationals, the ME official said that a good number of Maltese people will be employed.