Throughout the years, Gozo had to develop different characteristics from mainland Malta which only Gozitans can understand, and this has pushed Azzjoni Nazzjonali to propose a regional committee for Gozo, said party leader Josie Muscat yesterday.

AN yesterday presented its electoral manifesto for Gozo, which contains 14 points most of which treat the setting up and composition of a Gozo regional committee, which he said should empower Gozitans into looking after their interests.

He said that such a committee should be responsible for the commerce, industry, tourism, infrastructure and environment in Gozo. Dr Muscat added that defence, health, education and the law courts would remain national policy.

The committee, as envisaged by AN, should also be granted two permanent observer and non-voting seats in Parliament.

He proposed that the committee should be empowered to implement its own taxation as well as receive a lump sum from the country’s budget, which would be determined according to the region’s progress.

Committee members would be elected by all Gozo-registered voters in accordance with the committee’s regulations. A regional mayor representing the party holding the majority of votes would be leading the committee while his deputy should represent other parties.

The AN leader outlined further points of his party’s programme for Gozo, which were aimed at developing the island as an international financial services hub, liberalising cargo handling between Malta and Gozo. Dr Muscat said AN is also proposing the extension of the present airstrip, the building of a yacht marina and a cruise-liner terminal for medium-sized ships.

Dr Muscat said a Gozitan tourism association should be represented within the Malta Tourism Authority which should hand over a percentage of its budget to the Gozo association in order to perform its own research and development.

It is crucial that Gozo lures back its young people who are leaving the island due to lack of opportunities. To this end, the setting up of specialised schooling is of paramount importance to Gozo’s development, said Dr Muscat.