The Christmas season is about to get into full swing. With it comes a general sense of trying to take thing a little bit easier. People also tend to make an effort to forget the differences that often characterize many relationships, both on a personal level as well as a community. As a ministry, we try to contribute to this feeling. We try both in spirit and in style. We also try to be practical as we know that this is conducive to business, which is why we have launched the Christmas activities season this week. One really needs to understand the amount of work this entails. I would like to thank everyone who all year round works to make our cultural calendar so varied, interesting and attractive. It takes significant organization and coordination to put up all these events throughout the year.
Today there is no doubt that the Gozitan economy is doing very well. In fact the discussion now centres on what we can do to sustain it rather than what one needs to do. It does not make us complacent of course as there are many things we still need to do but our plan is coming together and we have reversed the trend of Gozo stagnating or not growing as much as it is now. The millions of euro of investment made in Gozo fill us with hope and is itself a catalyst for further investment. The high value-added service industry we would like to develop in Gozo needs talented people and we are looking forward to encouraging our young people to take up the opportunities these developments will offer. Development will take place in several sectors and these offer a wide spectrum of job opportunities such as IT, financial services, health, the caring industry that includes the elderly, to mention just a few we know will be happening in the coming years. The investment of €3.2 million in a second fibre optic cable is another indication of how the plan for increased serious investment in Gozo is a concrete one.
The beginning is not easy but I feel that we have managed to overcome that hurdle and with investments already committed we are sure to see developmental and quality changes in the type of jobs that will be on offer. We are working on several projects at the moment which we are sure will be very beneficial when they come to fruition. The €16 million (partially funded by the EU) which is being invested in the Xewkija industrial estate encourages existing business entities to expand but will also encourage new ones to set up. The requests for both workshop and office space is increasing and the demand needs to be met. This is the rationale of why we felt we needed to expand the supply of such business spaces. But this is only part of the story. The expansion of the hospital, which has already started, will require ancillary services for students, new medical staff, patients and their families. This means there is a need for accommodation, food, entertainment, and transport. It also calls for after-care services for the latter group, which can develop if the right conditions are in place. There is significant potential in this industry and the applications for more hotels testify to a visionary insight of an as-yet untapped potential in the Gozitan market. The natatorium will have two pools: one for sports and other water activities while the second smaller one will be for rehabilitative facilities; this is another notch in the after-care services which can be offered.
Yes there is significant potential in Gozo and through the government’s work we have put our plan in action to make sure that Gozo develops its prospects in the right manner and with foresight. We are setting up the infrastructure which was missing or lacking in one way or another. It is now up to the business acumen of economic agents, be they big or small, to provide the services which will be needed by this expanding economy. The interest we are seeing from business entities, which are also optimistic about Gozo’s future, fill us with the energy to keep on working wholeheartedly to see Gozo blossom in the way it should.
I am hopeful that we can work together as Gozitans to maintain the island’s beauty but to also make sure that we can find the opportunities for all our people, as well as those who want to settle down in Gozo, to make this island a success for all.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo