Points from speech by the Hon. Dr. John Attard Montalto, Minister for Economic Affairs and Industry during his visit to Aeromaritime at Hal Far

Aeromaritime provides repair and overhaul services of Allison engines, supplies genuine Allison spare parts both in new and overhauled condition and offers a range of training courses to customers.

Aeromaritime's gradual, but steady development is an important landmark in the evolution of Malta's industrial services sector. It is a landmark because Aeromaritime enjoys a high street reputation, as far as quality and reliability are concerned. Besides, Aeromaritime's credibility rating can be judged by the quality of its customers and, incidentally, by the fact The Maintenance Centre in the U.K. considers Aeromaritime to be its main competitor.

There are three strong facts that make Aeromaritime's presence in Malta noteworthy :

1. The company offers a first class quality service, in the aviation industry, in compliance with the latest Allison repair and overhaul criteria. The very fact that it provides a logistic support from Malta enriches the array of export-oriented industrial services that our country can offer to third parties overseas.
2. The company disposes of a high quality flexible labour force capable of adapting to different high value adding operations. It has managed to instill a sense of pride in workmanship and product (and service) excellence.
3. The company possesses a variety of skills, capable of providing an interlinkage support service that can benefit Maltese industry particularly in the repair of equipment that is otherwise sent overseas.

As far as Quality Management Systems are concerned the company adheres to international standards and conformity assessment systems that can guarantee quality, compatibility, safety and reliability of products and services. And it cannot be otherwise given that we are talking of a company engaged in the aviation industry. As I stated on other occasions, quality management is fastly becoming one of the latest weapons that differentiates leading edge companies from the rest. Quality explains why stalwart companies, despite them being outpriced, remain competitive in an increasingly global market environment.

Quality registrations allow verification and proof of quality assurance since all processes and systems are under control, with evaluation and modification when appropriate. Quality certification improves market image and is healthy for employees' morale. People like to be associated with a quality environment. People like to work in an efficient, well run organisation, which is surely Aeromaritime's case. To me personally it is heartening to notice, during these weekly factory tours, that an increasingly good number of Maltese firms, the great majority, are complying to ISO 9002 audits.

Secondly, from the very outset Aeromaritime has always effected greater investments in technology and in the training of its human resources. When there is a high level of training and development of personnel, companies can guarantee greater flexibility. Investing in the workforce's repertoire of skills is becoming increasingly vital. Our country requires a greater stock of skills and, consequently, qualified skilled people. Anyone concerned in promoting investment to Malta would point out that the first step, in successfully attracting top notch, selective foreign investment to Malta, is always the need to reassure potential investors that the necessary workforce can be found in the required quantity and of the appropriate quality. Sustainable economic development can only be achieved and maintained if the right balance is struck between industrial development and the development of human capital.

Aeromaritime forms part of the North American family of high profile investments operating in Malta - Baxter (Malta) Ltd., V.F. Ltd., Merit-Methode Ltd. and the newly approved project, Kill & Associates. Their presence in Malta augurs well to other U.S. investors who are on the lookout to logistically relocate their business to a base closer to their European and Mediterranean markets.

In the last six months the Malta Development Corporation has been actively looking for suitable land for Development as specialized industrial part. One such area is in Marsa and will be developed as a marine industries complex, with access to the sea. More details will be released to the press shortly.

Today, I am pleased to announce that the Corporation has now also identified suitable land with access to the airport to be developed as an aviation industries and services park. Again, details will be released to the press as soon as available.

I myself, and the Management of the Malta Development Corporation are convinced that there is a great future for aviation services and related industries in Malta. In fact there are already two projects, one of them in an advanced stage of planning, that has been submitted for the MDC's consideration. Both are being proposed by foreign investors.

It would not be appropriate to give any further details at the moment, however, I am certain that companies such as Aeromaritime can only look forward to increased activity in this sector with enthusiasm.