INDIS MALTA

Harmony and counterpoint in industrial property

If one were to play a game of word association, ‘sustainability’ would hardly be the average response to the stimulus ‘industrial property’. And yet, when speaking to Showcase Dubai, INDIS Malta Chairman DR JEAN PIERRE ATTARD quickly made that association. And, as the interview evolved, the logic was flawless: a sustainable environment makes for happy workers which makes for a profitable industry.

EVOLUTION

Previously operating as Malta Industrial Parks Ltd (MIP), INDIS Malta has evolved over time, now focusing more on its core vision: supporting investment. In its previous guise, its portfolio of properties comprised mainly factories used by the various niches within the traditional manufacturing industry, as well as two villages dedicated to local artisans. As Malta’s economic repertoire expanded, particularly with the opportunities afforded by accession into the European Union and the eurozone, the portfolio needed to change into a more flexible and dynamic one, a portfolio that would adapt as quickly to market needs as the market itself. Nowadays, INDIS Malta also provides other facilities that facilitate further growth in the newer industries, such as laboratories for the life sciences industry, hangars for the aviation clusters, as well as office type space for the ICT and other knowledge-intensive industries.

INNOVATION

INDIS Malta’s support of investment comes through the continuous development and management of qualitative, sustainable, and industrial innovative property solutions. “While we are concerned with the present needs as we have to address the current shortages in industrial properties, our eyes are also firmly fixed on the future. Thus, besides ensuring we have the amount of space the country needs to keep developing and growing, we also want to provide it with the kind of development that caters for its future needs,” said Dr Attard. INDIS Malta, he added, has embarked on a number of projects aimed at ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is available.

This innovative trend was the direct result of foreign direct investment requirements. Malta’s agility in servicing the needs of a fast-changing market enabled it to accommodate further growth for those who are already operating in the country and keep attracting new investment. This meant that more wealth and prosperity could be generated and, in turn, ploughed back into the burgeoning economy. To support this economic activity and facilitate further growth, INDIS Malta provided the infrastructure that private businesses operating in a variety of industries required. “In so doing, we had one major stumbling block to overcome: the lack of readily-available properties that investors could start operating from within a short period of time,” noted Dr Attard. This slowed down an enviable growth rate since investors wanted to hit the ground running without unnecessary delays.

j

Nowadays, INDIS Malta also provides other facilities that facilitate further growth in the newer industries, such as laboratories for the life sciences industry, hangars for the aviation clusters, as well as office type space for the ICT and other knowledgeintensive industries.

We are future-proofing the industrial property solutions Malta can offer to investors.

Ħal Far Industrial Estate

Gozo Innovation Hub Ta’ Qali Artisan Village

PLANNING FOR FUTURE NEEDS

Dr Attard described how INDIS Malta has, in this way, embarked on an ambitious infrastructural investment programme to address not only the current shortages, but also to plan ahead for the envisaged needs for the years to come. “In this way we are future-proofing the industrial property solutions Malta can offer to investors,” noted Dr Attard with satisfaction.

The programme comprises a wide variety of projects, some of which are being developed from scratch, while others seek to upgrade and remodel existing facilities to current needs. Among others, the latter include the expansion of the Malta Life Sciences Park, the rebuilding of the Kordin Business Incubation Centre, as well as the rehabilitation of a former landfill and its eventual allocation for industrial and sports facilities. This upgrade is, however, nowhere more evident than the Ta’ Qali Artisan Village, an artisanal hub which has been regenerated from buildings dating back to the

Mosta Technopark

war era, into modern facilities that provide a comfortable environment for a multitude of artisans to practice their trade, whilst at the same time welcoming visitors that are able to view them in action. As Dr Attard pointed out, in such a location the needs of the industry are of great importance but the appreciation of the work of the artisans is just as important. “It is a question of balancing harmony and counterpoint: the needs of the industry with the needs of the community,” smiled Dr Attard.

SUSTAINABILITY

To achieve such a fine balance, Dr Attard said that there must be one common underlying value. In this case: sustainability. INDIS Malta, he said, is striving to address the shortage of properties in a sustainable manner so that it strikes a balance between optimizing the space available, while respecting the environment and the communities that live and work within.

The infrastructural investment programme initiated by INDIS Malta was based on studies which observed the type of industry currently based in Malta as well as other industries which were finding Malta attractive. Other factors which played a part included the demand for floor space in the various industries which was being anticipated for the coming years, and what type of properties are being requested. “In addition, it also incorporates several green initiatives, making the facilities more welcoming to the people who spend long hours working there as well as to the clients that visit them. In recognising the importance which the environment and surroundings play in our lives, we signalled an important notch by way of sustainability. Industry is ultimately made up of people and if the people are happy and comfortable, they will not seek to move out, making the use of space sustainable,” said Dr Attard.

GREEN INITIATIVES

Investments in green initiatives are not only being made in new projects, said Dr Attard, but also where INDIS Malta can improve and enhance the living and working environment in existing facilities and common areas within the industrial estates. Such initiatives include the installation of green walls or green infrastructure, as well as general embellishment, green areas, and open spaces. Dr Attard said that these will be further complemented by other services that will be introduced within a number of industrial estates to further improve their users’ experience. This is planned to be carried out through the development of administration buildings, childcare centres, health and fitness facilities, and parking areas, among others.

Dr Attard said that to minimize the impact of industrial use on the surrounding environment, wherever possible new facilities are being built on multiple levels. “This will help to accommodate more tenants without increasing the built-up footprint,” observed Dr Attard. This is also being applied to older facilities which for various reasons may be returned to INDIS Malta, and which are then upgraded or rebuilt in a more efficient manner as multi-level facilities, thereby further reducing the impact on the environment. n

j

Industry is ultimately made up of people and if the people are happy and comfortable, they will not seek to move out, making the use of space sustainable.