Trade fair to move to Ta' Qali in 2008

The Malta Trade Fairs Corporation has signed a promise of sale agreement for the purchase of extensive land in Ta' Qali - the site for the new trade fair grounds after the Naxxar lease ends in 2007, corporation president Ian Mizzi said yesterday.

The purchase of an alternative site has been in the pipeline for years and the corporation had initially tried to buy the Naxxar grounds but an agreement had never been reached and it had decided to look elsewhere.

It was not easy to find such a vast stretch of land that was also outside a green area and could be developed, Mr Mizzi explained, adding that the site, being bought from the private sector, was larger than the current Naxxar grounds and was considered to be "ideal" both from the traffic point of view and due to its central location.

The development would include state-of-the-art facilities so the corporation could continue with its activities and expand on them, Mr Mizzi said.

The investment would be substantial but it was too early for an estimate. Under EU regulations, the government would not be putting up any of the capital for this "major national project" but would, hopefully, assist in speeding up the process in terms of permits and other bureaucratic measures, Mr Mizzi continued.

He did not exclude that a strategic partner in the investment may be sought. Revenue schemes would have to be increased to make good for the financial burden the corporation was undertaking but it did not stand to reason that exhibition space rental costs would be raised.

The Naxxar premises were not utilised year-round and the aim was to increase and improve the use of the available space in the new site, Mr Mizzi envisaged.

The 47th edition of the International Fair of Malta 2004, which was launched to the media at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort yesterday, has taken on a new meaning being the first to be organised with Malta as an EU member. Under this new scenario, it was expected to change and "expand its horizons", going international, Mr Mizzi said.

Works on the new development should start as soon as permits were in hand and the 2008 International Fair would be held at Ta' Qali, although it was possible that other specialised fairs would be organised at the new site before then, with both venues being utilised simultaneously for a while.

The number of local exhibitors in this year's edition is the highest ever, hitting 334, with the biggest demand for space ever expressed by the services sector.

The figures showed that the fair generated a substantial amount of sales for exhibitors and the available space has all been taken up, Mr Mizzi said.

Due to the high demand, 20 more gazebos had to be added to the usual 23, marking the highest number ever and a 90 per cent increase over last year to accommodate the 13 companies that were exhibiting in the services section.

The fairs council has invested in new and modern tents and gazebos, equipped with air conditioners, to continue increasing space for exhibitors, Mr Mizzi said.

A total of 96 new applications to participate in the fair were received, of which 62 exhibitors chose a stand and the remaining 34 withdrew their application.

Nine international exhibitors are participating in the fair. These are the UK, Italy (and Sicily), the US, Libya, China, Nigeria for the first time, the European Commission and Germany, apart from Malta and Gozo.

To alleviate the parking and traffic problem, a free park-and-ride service has been introduced whereby visitors to the fair can park their cars on one side of the road known as id-Dawra tal-Fortizza, which starts from the Targa Gap roundabout, past the Mosta bridge and continuing to the top of the T'Alla w Ommu hill.

A number of stages are being marked along the road from where the public can wait for coaches to transport them to the fair and back. The buses will be taking a route that would avoid the traffic to the fair grounds.

The service is being offered everyday after 5.30 p.m. until the close of the fair and the public is being urged to take the opportunity to use it

The International Fair is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on Monday evening and the fair opens on the public holiday the following day. It is being spread over 13 days, carrying on until Sunday, July 11.

The fair is open between 6 and 10.30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

The Sunday Times Trade Fair Guide, published by Allied Newspapers Ltd and produced by MediaMaker, is being issued with The Sunday Times this Sunday.