Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/541394
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 JULY 2015 3 News say goodbye to hefty electricity bills install photovoltaic solar panels today for a greener lifestyle and brighter future t: 00356 2156 9006 m: 00356 7959 2767 w: www.econetique.com e: info@econetique.com mompalao buildings, tower road, msida xewkija Industrial estate, gozo fxb, 346, mdina road, qormi Sai Mizzi: 'I will give Malta a strong voice in Asia' CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The company will be operating from Smart City with a handful of ex- isting employees transferring to Malta, but further expansion is not excluded. "It is also not excluded that the company will employ at least one Maltese person to work as a business director or in another important post," Cuschieri said. The tech giant ranked 285th in Fortune 500 and it employs some 170, 000 people in over 140 countries worldwide. "The company's foray into Malta is particularly significant even just for bringing the coun- try to its attention," Cuschieri said, adding that this could also provide unique education and employment opportunities for future generations. "Malta is also seen as a unique vehicle to test new technology due to its size," Cuschieri add- ed. Earlier this month, Huawei formalised its cooperation with Europe's 5G-PPP (public-private partnership), announcing the projects it will be working on under the project. Earlier this year, Europe's digital commis- sioner Gunther Oettinger reit- erated a grand vision for 5G that would include Chinese invest- ment. The 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership, in short 5G PPP, has been initiated by the EU Commission and industry manufacturers, telecommunica- tions operators, service provid- ers, SMEs and researchers. The 5G PPP will deliver solutions, architectures, technologies and standards for the ubiquitous next generation communication infrastructures of the coming decade. Speaking ahead of the sign- ing of the memorandum, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that this agreement showed that the government was willing to take Malta to new directions. Talking about the sheer magnitude of the company in question, Muscat joked that the income of the com- pany was such that it could have easily bailed out Greece without needing to join forces with any other countries. He added that the positive economic o u t l o o k comes on the heels of invest- ments in v a r i o u s sectors like e d u c a t i o n , health and t e c h n o l o g y. He explained that the com- pany would also lead to new opportunities to students wanting to work in an ICT environment. "This government takes pride in foreign investment and what you see today is just the begin- ning," he said stressing the gov- ernment's pro business stance. The government's special in- vestment envoy to China, Sai Mizzi Liang addressed those gathered and made a humorous reference to the allegations made about her wherea- bouts and work. "You have finally found me," she said, going on to explain her crucial role in the agreements She explained that her job was to bring technology and ex- pertise to Malta from a country that is so distant from our own. "My commitment is to give Malta the strongest voice in Asia," she said explaining that during the previous year she had helped to arrange meetings be- tween China and Malta. She said that Huawei is one of the largest ICT companies around the world and that the MoU with Malta was the first the company was signing. "This will make Malta the cen- tre of Mediterranean technol- ogy hub even through the crea- tion of a data recovery centre," she said. She added that the investment would lead to more employment and education opportunities as well as a stronger economy. "It is in our interest to have good relations with China, both for its economy, technology and tourism," she said stressing how these investments would create better opportunities for Malta. Huawei Italy CEO Edward Chan said that the agreement today marked a new venture both for the company and for the country. "We want to be responsible citizens here and we will contribute and continue to develop new technology for the country," Chan said. Competitive growth par- liamentary secretary Jose Herrera, whose secretariat was instrumental in agree- ments and discussions, said that Huawei recognizes the needs and capacities that the country has to offer. Sai Mizzi Liang said the Huawei investment will turn Malta into technology hub