Ta’ Qali Artisan Village Foundation working on marketing plan
The Ta’ Qali Artisan Village Foundation is working on a rebranding exercise and a marketing plan for the crafts village, the economy ministry has told The Malta Independent.
Last March, Economy Minister, Chris Cardona highlighted the end of the first phase of the crafts village, with a €13 million investment. He had said that the project’s second phase would be completed by the operators with their investment in the construction of factories and shops. The whole project, Cardona had said, was expected to be finalised next year. He had said that the site had undergone a total regeneration and a lot of work had been undertaken for the project to finally become a reality.
Works included upgrading infrastructure and facilities as well as services and landscaping. All the infrastructural works were carried out by Malta Industrial Parks
Recently, GRTU - Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo told The Malta Independent that the more than 20 establishments that remained open during the works over the past 14 months had suffered greatly.
She highlighted that while the works were indeed needed and welcome, the establishments suffered enough and that both the union and the government needed to start pushing to attract more tourists to the area.
The economy ministry was asked for its thoughts on the situation.
“The €13 million investment for the regeneration of the crafts village, demonstrates the government’s commitment to our artisans, as well as to the tenants based in the area, who had previously been toyed around with for 25 years. The regeneration of the crafts village was a false promise made by successive PN governments since 1992, and one they had virtually given up on.”
The ministry had a vision for Ta’ Qali as a new centre of excellence for artisanship, it said.
“Delivering that vision has been a priority for the government, not only as it has been a long-time coming, but as we believe it will be breathing new life into the local artisan sector.”
This newsroom asked the economy ministry whether the government would start working to attract tourists to the area.
“Our vision for the crafts village extends beyond just improving the infrastructure and maintaining the long-running status quo of it being a mere stop for a busload of tourists. The regeneration will transform the village into a unique destination in Malta, set to attract not only tourists, but people of all ages, from students to families.
“To implement this vision, the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village Foundation was set up earlier this year. It will be responsible for maintaining the village, as well as for the creation of a calendar of events and a series of workshops throughout the year to truly encourage collaboration and sharing of knowledge, creating a real community environment. Currently, the foundation is working on a rebranding exercise and a marketing plan for the village which will bear fruit in the coming months.”
Asked when the project would conclude, the ministry explained that the project had entered its second phase, which involves the construction of privately owned establishments by the tenants and operators, as they are legally committed to doing, since they entered into empytheutical deeds back in 2013 and 2015. “The cooperation of the tenants has been and will continue to be crucial for our shared vision to become reality. Through Malta Enterprise, we have supported the tenants with assistance in the form of grants and guidance on compiling a sound business plan and ensuring a return on investment. The project is set to be finalised by next year.”