Malta launches bid for EMA relocation

Parliamentary Secretary for Consumer Protection and Valletta 2018 Deo Debattista together with Medicines Authority Chief Professor Anthony Serracino Inglott, addressed a press conference explaining Malta’s bid to host the European Medicines Agency.

This agency monitors medicinal and veterinary products which are sold in the European Single Market and also assures that clinical and manufactural studies respect EU policies and laws.

The EMA is also responsible for the organisation of international conferences, which at their busiest, welcome up to 36,000 delegates with a 350 bed stay during the length of the conference.

“The 900 current EMA employees have a bright future amongst us. We will offer free educational services to their children, free childcare, and an efficient transition process to adequate offices in Smart City”, the Parliamentary Secretary explained.

Malta is competing with 18 other EU member states, yet this ‘lobbying’ period is also a window of opportunity for Malta to promote itself to other companies which, much like the EMA and the European Banking Authority will start afresh after the Brexit process is complete.

“Whilst I can assure you all that we will do our utmost to host the EMA ourselves, we will in no way sacrifice other attempts that are currently underway for Malta to keep its good name on the European market”, Parliamentary Secretary Deo Debattista promised.

Medicines Authority Chief Professor Anthony Serracino Inglott said that new EMA offices in Malta will surely keep the current standard by being equipped with the latest IT technology. There will also be special desks at Malta International Airport for EMA employees to pass through, as well as a shuttle service from the airport to the offices.

The Parliamentary Secretary also noted that the final vote shall be taken by Ministers for European Affairs on November 20.