Despite the difficult challenges to the economy brought on by COVID, E&L Enterprises Ltd managed to safeguard the jobs of all of its workers, which amount to 70, throughout the months of the pandemic.

Moreover, despite numerous adversities, the company managed to create 25 new jobs by the end of last year.

This was highlighted in a joint statement by the Economy and Industry Ministry, the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development and the Parliamentary Secretariat for European Funds, which pointed towards the Government’s plan for the regeneration of the economy as assisting companies such as E&L Enterprise in their drive for growth.

During a company visit, E&L Enterprises founder Joe Camilleri told Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi how the company managed to retain all of its workers whilst creating new ones by the end of the year.

E&L Enterprises Ltd offers services in the iron manufacturing sector, including the construction of structures and other services related to finishes of the same product. Over the past year, the company continued to invest in new iron-cutting and bending machinery used in different industries. This was also possible thanks to EU funding.

To enhance its productivity, the company made an additional investment of half a million euro.

Minister Silvio Schembri remarked that, during such challenging times, business sought to grasp opportunities and diversify their services, consequently resulting in the creation of new jobs.

“It is through this mindset that we shall seek to continue building economic growth for our country, which has recently more than proved its resilience and capability to be innovative and identify new methods of adapting.

“This was clearly evidenced by E&L Enterprises, which sought to fuse traditional manufacturing with automation by buying two new machines, accelerating the level of production. As a government, we shall continue assisting businesses, the industry and the livelihood of our families to pave the way for economic recovery,” said Minister Schembri.

Minister Miriam Dalli emphasised the Government’s commitment to be of support to businesses.

“As a Government, we are committed to continue to help and support local industry, in particular those which are creating jobs of a technical nature. Our commitment is to continue to help not only in times of the pandemic but also to see how to incentivize businesses to continue to grow, regenerate and create jobs,” she said.

Minister Dalli noted that with the help of technological advancements, the work and productivity of businesses is strengthened, resulting in the strengthening of workers’ skills.

“That's why it's important to continue to help businesses upskill and reskill their workers,” Minister Dalli added.

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that this enterprise’s two projects are benefitting from the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes initiative through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is providing the opportunity to small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their operations as they incentivize more investment.

Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi explained how, through an investment of €254,000 from European funds, this company was able to invest in new machinery and equipment with the aim of further strengthening its position in the market. This led to the company increasing its operational and productive efficiency, while also increasing its manpower.