In our prosperous country it must be very tiring for habitual slanderers to stay afloat with their media stunts when everyone else is enjoying the holiday and festival season. Unfortunately, bad habits die hard and can indeed be relentless.
For some people who persist in their quest to achieve – at all costs – whatever the democratic process has denied them time and time again, playing victim seems to be the most predictable tactic. With the recent Magisterial Inquiry report declaring that the Egrant invention was the most blatant lie in Malta’s political history, the fabrication team find themselves in a desperate situation that exceeds all limits of shamelessness. No decent politician can justify her or his deceit by trampling on the very essence of the justice system. Nor can he or she expect sane minds to condone their shameless fits of rapture.
Moving on
In the meantime, and notwithstanding such petty politics, the Labour Government moves on with its hard work to consolidate the country’s prosperity while fearlessly facing all other challenges. These include the ever- increasing population and immigration issues, which we diligently handle at local and international levels. Despite the holiday mood everywhere, at Cabinet level we are fully geared up for formulating yet another social budget for 2019, proposing further measures for more prosperity with a purpose.
The fair distribution of national wealth is at the heart of our plans and proposals, based on the unprecedented results achieved over the five years we have, to date, been in office. Success needs to be duly monitored, nurtured and sustained to be long-lasting. The social feel-good factor all around is further confirmed by the official economic figures that keep flowing in, despite the damaging effects created by those who attempt to wreak havoc through the unfounded fabrication of systematic lies.
Responding with success
The alarm bells they try to ring, at both local and EU levels, serve to remind us of how dangerous cornered liars can be. In sharp contrast, and looking at actual facts, this week’s figures issued by the Central Bank indicate that labour market statistics remained favourable in June, with the number of registered unemployed declining further and the unemployment rate falling to a new historical low.
Tourism activity continued to grow at a very strong pace in annual terms during the same month. In its latest economic update, the Central Bank said that national business conditions rose over the previous month and continued to suggest above-average confidence. Such positive indicators are the solid basis for our hard work to consolidate the nation’s well-being and sustain it for future generations.
These are the real credentials of Dr Joseph Muscat’s premiership, which the country continues to endorse in no uncertain terms. It is also only right to acknowledge Professor Edward Scicluna’s wise and watchful eyes on the country’s healthy finances, while addressing demands from his Cabinet colleagues – and certainly mine for the Gozo Ministry. While on the subject, I would like to express my full solidarity with our Finance Minister in the wake of the unjust and puerile accusations from the usual bitter sources.
Gozo’s Santa Marija
On another note, this week yet again Gozo was brimming with popular activities. I am indeed satisfied that all those working in the hospitality and accommodation sectors have recorded full bookings, confirming that the Gozo Ministry’s year-round planning is paying dividends – and big time too. With ‘all hands on deck’ at the various directorates, we are aiming to make Gozo a distinct and eventful destination for both the domestic and foreign tourist market. We are successfully blending tradition and culture with popular entertainment initiatives that are constantly attracting unprecedented crowds to the island.
As usual, the traditional Santa Marija agricultural and industrial exhibition in the Villa Rundle Garden attracted large numbers. At this very popular, two-day event, organised by the Agrarian, Industrial and Cultural Society of Gozo and fully supported by the Gozo Ministry, over 100 competitors displayed some 4,000 exhibits to the public. These included agricultural produce, livestock, horses, poultry, vegetables, oils and wines, together with traditional and modern agricultural tools and equipment. It is an annual opportunity for local farming families to proudly present their produce and livestock for public appreciation. Family entertainment related to traditional folklore – għana and folk dancers and singers – was another feature of this year’s event.
The event is an opportunity to understand that agriculture on its own involves many different stakeholders and covers a wide range of topics, ranging from environmental sustainability and landscaping to food safety and the economic well-being of rural communities. The modern concept of agribusiness as a creative enterprise offers a refreshing contrast to an otherwise bleak picture of a sector that is often associated with a declining number of elderly farmers struggling to earn a living for their families. With the various challenges facing the sector, diversification and more profitable links with the tourist industry are to be further addressed.
This annual Santa Marija event is a useful reminder that the growing of food is an important economic contribution and, given the necessary encouragement, is a thriving business for hard workers with a flair for entrepreneurship. For the first time, the Ministry for Gozo waived the entrance fee so that the event was truly accessible to everyone.
Gozo’s eventful summer
This week I have also launched several other summer events, in line with the Ministry’s strategy of introducing more opportunities to entertain Gozitan families and visitors. The International Food Festival at Xewkija was another huge success, as is the case with the ongoing weekly variety shows at Marsalforn, Xlendi and Mġarr harbour.
L-Ikla t-tajba (happy meal) – the ultimate community banquet with a difference – will be held between 22 and 26 August, at the Xwejni saltpans in Żebbuġ. Patrons will be entertained to a contemporary theatrical representation under the direction of Romanian director Nona Ciobanu. The gastronomic activity and theatre will become one, and after the performance everyone is invited to join our community meal and enjoy traditional Maltese food. I thank Teatru Malta and Valletta 2018 for this production – their biggest cultural production in Gozo.
The second edition of the Gozo Film Festival will be held at the Ċittadella between Friday, 24 and Sunday, 26 August. Organised by the Gozo Film Club, supported by the Directorate for Tourism and Economic Development within the Gozo Ministry, the festival promotes Gozitan, Maltese and international film-makers with selected short and feature films, spanning different genres for the public to view. The varied repertoire planned for this year, is aimed at attracting a wider audience, both in taste and age range. A total of 41 short films will be shown, including nine productions from Malta and Gozo.
Our packed calendar
In such a packed summer calendar with the traditional village feasts, Gozo also includes its smaller island, Comino, as part of the whole. This week we had a three-day celebration around the island’s Santa Marija chapel with the participation of the Bishop of Gozo, and which included band marches, variety shows and food stalls for those crossing over from Mġarr and Ċirkewwa.
Additionally, I also launched a number of activities which are to be held at the end of the month in Mġarr Harbour. Rock Legends, Jazz Do, and – for the first time – a Gozo Summer Carnival, will be held following discussions with the business community, giving the area the importance it deserves. The Gozo Summer Carnival on Saturday, 1 September, will include both Gozitan and Maltese carnival associations, with 10 carnival floats, six dance companies and three local bands.
Indeed, the celebrative mood of thousands of Gozitans, Maltese and tourists is another clear indication of the country’s well-being and progress – and the best is yet to come!