Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village

This public and private collaboration was mainly created to provide an attractive space for local artisans to showcase and sell their products, and to provide visitors with an authentic experience of the crafts being created. The public infrastructure was essential for the preservation and promotion of local traditions and crafts. The centre is managed by Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Park, two government agencies within the Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses. Malta Industrial Parks is responsible for the property, maintenance, contracts of tenants, and landscaping. In 2014, Malta Enterprise set up an office within the premises to manage and to promote the Crafts Village, and to assist the network of SMEs to improve their market position. The cluster is made up of 17 operators that includes lace making, pottery, local stone, woollens, paintings, and traditional foods. Recently, Malta Enterprise has collaborated with the Malta Crafts Council to certify operators who produce authentic artisan products. Six artisans have been accredited for their high quality of work among which are metal works, pottery, leather, traditional food, candle making, and glass blowing. Such expertise in crafts making will offer a rich experience to visitors and benefit the whole network. The Crafts Village attracts tourists to the westernmost part of the island, and locals, tenants and visitors all benefit from this activity.