[WATCH] Gonzi vows to publish campaign costs and donors

The PN will reveal the source of donations funding its electoral campaign, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said.

"Naturally, we will make public the sources of our campaign's funding," Gonzi told the press in comments following his visit to the Eurosport store in Birkirkara, after yesterday challenging the Opposition leader to declare his own party's source of funding.

The PN leader confirmed that the PN would publish the costs and the donors of the 2013 general election campaign, however failed to say when it would do so and whether this would include services the PN receives for free or in kind.

Asked to confirm whether construction magnate and PN donor, Nazzareno Vassallo was funding the PN campaign, the Prime Minister retorted: "As far as I know Vassallo had publicly stated that he also donated money to Labour."

Gonzi was speaking at the end of a visit at Eurosport, Malta largest sports shop, in which he paid tribute to the Michele Peresso Group of Companies for their efforts in creating a sustainable business activity.

He lauded the company's €122,000 investment in photovoltaic panels, which had reduced the company's energy bills by 17% from its head office in Birkirkara, and pledged further support to the company's bid to become more sustainable.

"Investing in a gas pipeline, introducing night tariffs and the electricity interconnector are commendable efforts but the long-term solution to sustainability lays in renewable energy," Gonzi said, adding that Malta was "blessed" with long sunshine hours throughout the year.

On his part, the Peresso Group CEO Emanuel Peresso explained that the solar energy project cost his company €112,000 but was half-financed by the European Regional Development Fund energy grant scheme.

Peresso added that the group is in "advanced talks" to invest in a solar energy farm with foreign investors. In addition he pointed out that the group was in the process of opening its first retail shops abroad, in Libya, through an investment of €700,000.

Gonzi also applauded the company's 135-workforce, of which 73% were women, he pointed out.

On the wholesale and retail sector, Gonzi said that the sector registered a 5% growth in 2012 and pledged further support to the sector which was facing a number of challenges, including the rise of online shopping.

Noting that up to 30% of young people in Malta were opting for online shopping, Gonzi said that the industry had to "adjust itself" to new realities by offering better service and more competitive prices.