26 April - 2 May 2001

Increased interest in private partnershps

The concept of bringing in the private sector to help manage and run public entities or projects is picking up in Malta although it is still in its initial stages, The Malta Business Weekly has learnt.
Last week, the second industrial estate formed its own tenants association and this is being run on the private public partnership concept. Industry sources told this newspaper that other industrial estates were looking at the possibility of forming their own associations and at the same time rope in the private sector to run their affairs. Similar initiatives are also expected to involve the local councils as well.
The Mosta Technopark is one example of how private, public partnerships have worked. While all tenants at the park are required to provide funding for the upkeep of the park, the newly formed tenants association has gone one step further.
Instead of depending on government entities or the Malta Development Corporation to carry out the work, the Association is now entrusted with all the operational aspects of the park. This has
resulted in the area getting a total revamp with better signposting, streetmarking and landscaping.
Industry sources told The Malta Business Weekly that corporations like the MDC are more than happy to see the private sector taking an active role in similar cases because it gives the corporation more time to focus on more important areas such as attracting foreign direct investment and also deal with requests for factory space.
“The fact that the private sector plays such an important role, also guarantees a high level of efficiency and accountability,” the sources said.
Henry J. Borg, chairman of the Mosta Technopark Tenants Association, in an interview with The Malta Business Weekly (to be carried next week) said the Mosta park was “a living example of how a private public partnership can thrive”.
The subject of PPPs in Malta was discussed last week at a business breakfast organised by the Malta Institute of Management.
While Mr Dalli said the government was working on a plan to introduce and further develop the concept here in Malta, Opposition spokesman Leo Brincat called on the government to give details of its plans, such plans that have never been made public.