New minister highlights government's manufacturing policy

Government manufacturing policy is for investment in high value-added products while ensuring existing manufacturing jobs remained secure, Industry Minister Chris Cardona said this morning. Speaking during a tour of Toly Manufacturing in Bulebel, his first assignment as minister, Dr Cardona said the Government was committed to this "delicate balancing act" between modern and more traditional forms of manufacturing, increasing the number of jobs in the sector. His visit to Toly was welcomed by company director and deputy CEO William Wait, who felt it was a "very strong message that manufacturing will be a priority under this Government" and assured Dr Cardona of the manufacturing sector's full cooperation. Mr Wait is also deputy president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Over 20,000 people work in manufacturing, and the sector contributes 13 per cent of Malta's GDP. After his visit to Toly, the minister also paid visits to Playmobil and Farsons. He said he would try to visit every factory in Malta, regardless of its size, over the next months.