25 - 31 May 2000

Over 100 foreign companies interested in waste management privatisation

by Franco Aloisio

More than 100 international companies from Europe and the United States have over the past months declared their interest in the Maltese government's plan to privatise the country's waste management services, Environment Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said yesterday.

He told The Malta Business Weekly a considerable number of companies, out of these 100 companies, had declared their interest in taking over waste management services. However, following the publication of the government's solid waste management plan, foreign interest increased tremendously.

Earlier this year, the consultation document "A solid waste management plan for Malta", stated the government's aim to privatise the waste management services including the Sant Antnin recycling plant in Marsascala.

The document said that the full process of waste management - including the collection, re-use, recovery and disposal of waste - should be left in the hands of the private sector. One single organisation or consortium of organisations should be entrusted with the whole process.

Dr Zammit Dimech yesterday said several foreign organisations specialising in waste management who submitted their interest were represented by local firms. He added that among the companies, there were the top world corporations which specialised in waste management.

Earlier this year, Dr Zammit Dimech said that an international call for tenders would be issued for the management and running of the Sant Antnin recycling plant. He had said that preference will be given to those submissions which will incorporate proposals for the running of Malta's full waste management. A development brief which would include all the necessary specifications will be published in the coming months, Dr Zammit Dimech added.

The minister stressed that the government's role in waste management will be that of control and regulation.

Meanwhile, Minister Zammit Dimech said the Manoel Island and Tigne project will result in a total of 460 workers being employed over a period of eight years, while another 90 workers will provide ancillary services and materials.

The Minister was speaking during the launch of the property and construction fair at the Naxxar Trade Fair Grounds. The minister said that when the Manoel Island and Tigne project will be completed, there will be around 2,500 new job opportunities, of which 1,300 jobs will be created by the development itself.

Speaking on another capital project, Dr Zammit Dimech said between 400 and 600 women will be employed for the Cottonera Waterfront development. Around 200 workers will be working on the cruise liner terminal site in Valletta.

He said the construction industry is currently employing 5,500 people, thus generating an income of Lm33m every year. On the property market, Dr Zammit Dimech said at present prices are reasonable and have stabilised.