Economy Minister Chris Cardona has confirmed that a case involving a PV supplier who had fraudulently benefited from EU funds was not the only one of its kind.

The PV supplier and a Malta Enterprise employee had been charged in 2012 with fraud over an EU-funded scheme to help consumers purchase solar panels at advantageous rates.

The scheme necessitated that consumers supply three quotations but the company Di Natura used to provide customers with three separate quotations, two of them under the names of non-existent companies.The case had ended up in court but TVM yesterday reported that Malta risked losing up to €20 million in EU funds as a result of fraud in a scheme managed by Malta Enterprise.

Asked about this latest development, Dr Cardona said it was premature to get into the details but confirmed that the Di Natura case was not the only one.

"The government will now be waiting for the European Commission's communication and depending on what is said the necessary remedial action will be taken," Dr Cardona said, insisting the cases of fraud happened under the previous administration.

It is unclear whether more Malta Enterprise employees are involved in the alleged fraudulent behaviour.

The minister was asked about the matter at a press conference during which Malta Enterprise and MCAST signed a memorandum of understanding to allow students the use of the agency's business incubation centre.Malta Enterprise chairman Mario Vella said he could not speak on a case that happened before his time - he was appointed ME chairman in May last year - and preferred to wait for the facts to emerge when the Commission communicated its position.

"What I can say is that since I took over we have tightened procedures to make sure things are done correctly, especially where EU funds are involved," Dr Vella said.