A new Malta Enterprise scheme intended to encourage those working in the construction industry to scrap their old machinery and replace it with modern, low emissions and pro-environment equipment is drawing a lot of interest.
During a meeting organised by the MDA yesterday, many contractors, members of the MDA, were given details about the workings of the €4 million budget dedicated to this scheme, which will see the scrappage of high emission old equipment from Maltese roads and the replacement with new technology machinery with much lower emissions and less noise.
MDA Director General, Marthese Portelli gave a presentation of this scheme which will start receiving applications as from the beginning of December. The scheme is based on a cash grant up to a maximum of €200,000 per undertaking covering 40% of the investment, encouraging operators to even consider hybrid and electric vehicles with the assistance going up to 60% for such upgrades. Applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Addressing contractors, MDA President Sandro Chetcuti said that this scheme is the result of consultation MDA held with the Government to make a real change in the way the industry operates and reduce emissions drastically.
Thanking Malta Enterprise and Economy Minister Silvio Schembri for taking on board the MDA’s proposal, Mr Chetcuti insisted that the MDA wants to create a sustainable construction industry making a significant leap forward, improving the quality of its work, operating with less inconvenience to the public and with better environmental standards.
Mr Chetcuti said that this scheme fits perfectly in the MDA’s strategy to raise the bar in the industry and said that more proposals will be coming up in the next months.
Economy Minister, Silvio Schembri thanked the MDA for being proactive and for encouraging its members to continue to invest so that the industry operates with higher standards with respect to the environment and to the public. “This scheme is intended to drive change for a significant reduction of emissions by operators in this sector. The construction industry is a very important pillar for our economy, and we will continue to work with the MDA to see it move forward sustainably.”, said Minister Schembri.
Keith Abela, Policy Advisor to the Economy Ministry, gave further details of the Malta Enterprise scheme and explained the requirements for operators to be eligible whilst addressing concerns by MDA members.
