GiMAS Malta invests €10 million in sustainable energy manufacturing

GiMAS Malta Heavy Industries Ltd has inaugurated a €10 million investment in Ħal Far to manufacture advanced industrial components for sustainable energy, with the new facility expected to employ more than 40 people initially.

The 8,400-square-metre facility marks the Turkish company's first investment of its kind in the European Union and introduces a new economic niche for Malta focused on advanced industrial manufacturing linked to the sustainable energy sector.

Employment is expected to increase to 60 workers by the facility's fifth year of operation, with opportunities for specialised technicians, welders and engineers.

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who inaugurated the facility, said the investment demonstrated Malta's economic stability and its ability to attract international investors despite global challenges.

“Malta does not have immunity from what is happening, and this is why it needs firm and strong leadership, which is what we are offering,” Dr Abela said.

He described the project as another step towards the Government's economic vision, which prioritises quality, sustainability and employment opportunities offering better wages.

“This major investment in manufacturing is reinforcing Malta as an attractive country for investment in advanced industrial manufacturing and foreign direct investment. Here we are witnessing the birth of a completely new economic sector for Malta that will create sustainable jobs offering high wages, from mechanical roles to jobs such as welders and engineers,” Dr Abela said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of attracting further investment in the green economy, saying it could contribute to the transition towards cleaner energy while creating skilled employment opportunities for Maltese and Gozitan workers.

He contrasted the facility's employment model with businesses employing large numbers of lower-skilled workers.

“This day is important because this is a living example of an investment that, instead of employing hundreds of workers with low skill levels, will employ dozens of workers with high skill levels,” Dr Abela said.

Dr Abela also announced that discussions were under way with the ministry responsible for education on reintroducing vocational and technical schools from younger ages. The aim is to provide students with additional training opportunities and alternatives to academic education, while preparing them for future employment in green industries and sustainable energy technologies.

The Prime Minister thanked GiMAS's investors for their confidence in Malta, as well as Malta Enterprise and INDIS for their work in bringing the project to fruition. He expressed hope that the investment would attract other companies operating within the renewable energy supply chain, creating further green jobs.

Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Minister Silvio Schembri said investments of this kind resulted from direct and targeted engagement with international investors.

He explained that Malta Enterprise had adopted a new strategy to attract this type of foreign direct investment, establishing a specialised unit tasked with identifying companies with the potential to set up operations in Malta.

Mr Schembri said the approach had already produced results in the cases of GiMAS and Vantive, adding that it would continue to be used during meetings with executives from international companies in the United Kingdom in December.