Three bids submitted for €1.8 billion Sir Temi Zammit Hospital
Three Malta-based joint ventures have submitted bids to design, build and operate the proposed Sir Temi Zammit Hospital near St Vincent de Paul, with all offers exceeding the government’s estimated contract value of €1.38 billion. CareLink Medical Group, involving Saint James Hospital and Corinthia Group shareholders, submitted the lowest bid at €1.74 billion. Custodia Care, led by Vassallo Group’s CareMalta and working with CareRise, offered €1.79 billion, while Proxima, led by a company owned by James Caterers, submitted a €1.87 billion bid. Price will account for 20% of the evaluation, with technical quality making up the remaining 80%. The winning bidder must build, staff and operate the 288-bed facility, which will provide geriatric care and rehabilitation. The hospital must be completed within 30 months of planning permits being issued, followed by 27.5 years of operation. (Times of Malta)
PM defends new fees and reduced benefits for third-country nationals
Prime Minister Robert Abela has defended Budget 2027 measures introducing new fees and removing certain benefits for third-country nationals (TCNs), arguing that foreign workers should not expect every public service to be provided free of charge. The changes include ending free public transport for TCNs and increasing driving licence fees, while access to healthcare and education will remain free. Abela maintained that foreign workers would continue to be treated with dignity and respect, but said certain benefits should depend on the period spent working in Malta. He also argued that foreign workers’ earnings vary according to their occupations and skills. However, Central Bank research found that TCNs who worked throughout 2024 had a median annual employment income of €18,200, around 38% below the national average. Parliamentary figures also showed that TCNs are disproportionately represented in lower-income brackets. Abela acknowledged the data but cautioned against treating all foreign workers as one group. (Maltatoday)
New cheque rules to take effect in Malta from January 2027
New rules governing cheques in Malta will come into force on 1 January 2027, introducing changes to minimum amounts, encashment procedures and validity periods. Under amendments to Central Bank of Malta Directive 19 on drafts and cheques, cheques will only be issued for amounts of €50 or more. Recipients will also no longer be able to cash cheques directly at a bank counter. Instead, cheques must be deposited into the bank account of the person named on them. A further change will limit the validity of cheques to three months from their date of issue. This means recipients will need to ensure that cheques are deposited within that period. The revised rules will affect both individuals and businesses that continue to use cheques for payments. The changes form part of the updated requirements governing cheque transactions and will apply from the beginning of next year. (Newsbook)
