Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1340314
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 FEBRUARY 2021 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI SILVIO Schembri has acknowl- edged that economic recovery may not be uniform across all sectors but insisted government will continue to help struggling businesses. The Economy Minister was reacting to the contrasting re- sults between the European Commission's Winter Fore- cast, which painted a positive picture for 2021, and a recent survey by the Chamber of SMEs that prospected a gloom- ier outlook. The EU forecast released last week showed Malta's economy is set to grow by 4.5% this year. "The expected rollout of vac- cinations in 2021 and a gradual easing of restrictions in the EU should set the tourism sector back on the path to recovery and re-invigorate domestic demand. In 2021, real GDP growth is expected to reach 4.5%," the Commission said. But a Chamber of SME sur- vey carried out between 18 and 24 January showed small busi- ness owners aren't so optimis- tic, with four in 10 businesses saying they may not survive beyond the next six months should the current situation persists. Schembri said some sectors have been worse hit than oth- ers during the COVID-19 pan- demic. t"You have small businesses who have to face harder chal- lenges than others," he said, adding that government would not leave small businesses to fend for themselves. The Economy Minister said government is committed to reignite economic growth and expressed his confidence in the measures adopted to counter- act the negative impact of the pandemic. "The resources we have in- vested into this economic re- generation plan will deliver the results we want and need," Schembri said. He was speaking in Safi at the premises of aviation company Gulf Med Aviation Services. The company announced that it would be expanding it ser- vices through investment in infrastructure, equipment and personnel. The company carries out hel- icopter commercial flight op- erations and maintenance ser- vices. In the coming months, the company will be opening an aircraft maintenance training academy for local students through collaboration with the Institute of Aerospace Tech- nology at the University of Malta and MCAST. Government committed to help struggling businesses, Silvio Schembri says JAMES DEBONO INFRASTRUCTURE Malta has presented plans for a new break- water in Buġibba that will in- clude ferry landing facilities and a terminal for passengers. The breakwater, which will replace an existing one, is lo- cated immediately adjacent to a complex of Roman salt pans at Dawret il-Gżejjer. As proposed the project also includes facilities for a 40-me- tre-long fast ferry boat as well as other boats. Three new ferry terminals with sheltered waiting, landing and boarding areas were first proposed in the 2020 budget at Ta' Xbiex, Spinola and Buġib- ba. They had to complement existing landings in Sliema, Valletta and Bormla, which are being upgraded. The Buġibba proposal will in- crease the existing footprint of the breakwater from 2,000sq.m to 8,800sq.m. The area includes a 148sq.m ticketing office and covered waiting area for 75 to 80 pas- sengers, service rooms, new jetties and the berthing space for the fast ferry and 12 large boats. A sloping revetment, part of which is to be built below sea level is also being proposed alongside the jetty, at a width of between 9m and 15m. While acknowledging the need for better berthing facil- ities, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage expressed concern at the extent of the development being proposed, which far exceeds the existing footprint. "This increase in total area from the existing 2,000sq.m to 8,800sq.m will have an unde- niable impact, even on visual perception of the St Paul's Bay and Buġibba foreshore," the Cultural Heritage watchdog warned. The Superintendence also ex- pressed particular concern at the proposed development's immediate proximity to the Roman salt pans and urged the safeguarding of these cultural heritage features. To better assess the impacts of the application the Super- intendence has asked Infra- structure Malta to submit photomontages of the pro- posed development as would be visible from the Wignacourt Tower, the Gillieru promon- tory, and from across the bay including the historical Mistra custom house and St Paul's is- lands. The heritage authority al- so called for a works method statement, which is to address any potential impact that the proposed works may have on the nearby saltpans. Breakwater, ferry landing place proposed in Bugibba A breakwater spread over 8,800sq.m will replace an existing structure to allow fast ferry facilities in Bugibba Economy minister Silvio Schembri