SPEECH BY THE
HON LAWRENCE GONZI, PRIME MINISTER, DURING THE
OPENING OF THE NEW SHOWROOMS OF MIZZI MOTORS,
GZIRA – FRIDAY 3RD JULY 2009.
Your Grace
Excellency
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is indeed a
pleasure for me to be here this evening to
officially launch this second phase of the Mizzi
Motors showroom complex.
Today we are
witnessing a substantial investment in 3 new
showrooms together with a state-of-the-art
mechanical garage which complement the other
showroom. We are also attending the launch of a
new car model. This event can be best described
as a celebration of innovation and
regeneration. Firstly, the new car is in itself
a symbol of innovation. This new model hails
from a car family which is celebrating its 100th
anniversary and it is doing so by innovating and
embracing change.
We are also
inaugurating the new showrooms forming part of
this modern complex which is not only leading to
the regeneration of the existing land but it is
also acting as a catalyst for the regeneration
of the area as a whole. Regeneration and
innovation are essential principles especially
in the current economic climate and can be
important catalysts of sustainable development.
Being such a
scarce and important resource in Malta, land
needs to be used efficiently and productively.
Regeneration ensures that no new land is taken
up but instead, existing land is modernised in
order to meet present needs and future
expectations. The process of regeneration
contributes to economic activity as further jobs
are created and further multiplier effects are
set into motion. In addition, there is the
possibility of incorporating environmental
considerations into the new designs making the
existing building more environmentally
friendly.
Just like a
private enterprise, Malta needs to innovate and
regenerate on a number of levels. The present
international economic scenario makes it even
more urgent for countries to innovate
themselves. The current scenario will be
reversed in the foreseeable future and only
those economies that would have regenerated
themselves would be in a position to reap the
benefits of the upswing. This is a challenge we
all face and I believe that this ceremony should
serve as a reminder to us all, both the private
and public sector.
Naturally we are
aware of the fact that not all our economic
operators are able to innovate and regenerate.
It is for this reasons that my Government has
launched a number of fiscal incentives which
should support those who ae unable to cope with
the existing pressures but who still retain a
solid basis for future growth. By way of an
example I can quote to you the initiative
launched last month aimed at supporting
operators in the tourism sector to improve their
product by subsidising interest payments on
loans for refurbishment purposes. Through this
scheme, we are confident that a number of
establishments will improve their product and
service thus contributing to an improved
national product.
In addition,
Government also engages in regeneration efforts
to complement private initiatives. Closely
linked to the car sector is the road
infrastructure. Undoubtedly there has been a
marked improvement in this area over the last
few years as EU Funds have been channelled to
upgrade our road infrastructure. Indeed I may
add that we are continuing with this ambitious
programme of investments into our road network.
The beneficiaries of this investment of course,
are not limited to those who make use of the
network, but extend across the country as a
whole.
This is precisely
what we want to achieve. We want the whole
country to engage in a national effort to
upgrade our product generating a sense of pride
in what is ours, in what makes us Maltese, proud
of our history and our heritage. Indeed the
regeneration project for Valletta – which was
launched last Saturday – is the most ambitious
so far. As you all know, we have now launched
the schematic designs prepared by world-renowned
architect Renzo Piano for the regeneration of
City Gate, Freedom Square and the Opera House
site. This project together with a number of
other projects around Valletta and the Grand
Harbour is set to regenerate our Capital City
and in the process stimulate economic activity
contributing to job creation and other
multiplier effects.
Ladies and
gentlemen
Allow me to
conclude by stating that this evening’s event
underlines an important and fundamental message
which determines Malta’s future economic, social
and environmental development. It is precisely
for this reason that I extend to all the
directors my sincere best wishes for further
success.
