Several points of special interest to Gozo were discussed at the meeting.

The Gozo Business Chamber said the air link is considered as a very important part of inter-island transport, especially for tourists visiting Gozo. The chamber stated it is in favour of bettering the existing facilities and building an airstrip which will accommodate fixed wing aircraft.

This, “is an important development that needs to be studied in further detail” the Prime Minister's Communications officer told this paper

The agenda included Gozo's representation on the MCESD, the Regional Projects Committee, investment and job creation in Gozo, inter-island transport, the ferry terminals, road construction, the Gozo Forum, Ggantija, Cittadella and Victoria town centre, as well as the possibility of a cruise liner terminal.

Both sides agreed that the creation of jobs is of utmost importance and expressed their preoccupation at the situation. They also discussed the garages for SMEs and the upgrading of Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village.

The chamber delegation was informed that progress has been made in both cases and that the funds needed for the upgrading of Ta' Dbiegi had just been approved.

The Gozo Business Chamber expressed its worries about the unreliable cargo ferry service and the irregular schedule of the passenger ferry service. Several difficulties were mentioned, but the chamber was reassured that remedial action has already been taken and things should improve as from next week.

It also suggested that facilities shoud be provided for cruise liners to be able to visit Gozo. This, together with more yacht marinas, can be a source of more job and business generation in Gozo.

Limited financial resources seem to be the main hurdle which keeps the government from taking better care of Ggantija and the Cittadella. The chamber, however, expressed its opinion that both these assets should receive the same treatment as those accorded to similar places in Malta.

As regards the problem of parking in Victoria, the Prime Minister said that a solution seems to have been found.

The Prime Minister expressed his wish that more meetings between the two sides be held in the future and invited the chamber to come forward with ideas and suggestions.

The PM's Communications officer told this paper: “We can confirm that the meeting held was a constructive exercise which covered a variety of points as mentioned in the Gozo Business Chamber's press release. The government recognises the special needs of Gozo, and confirms that it continues to consider Gozo as an opportunity to achieve economic progress on a national level.

“We can also confirm that we are interested in finding ways on how to improve the existing links between the two islands because this is a crucial factor for the continued economic progress of Gozo, especially in tourism and industry.

“In this context we took special note of the Gozo Business Chamber's statement that it is in favour of improvements to the existing facilities (air link) including the building of an airstrip which will accommodate fixed wing aircraft. This is an important development that needs to be studied in further detail.”

This was discussed at a meeting held on Friday between the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, Dr Austin Gatt, Minister for Information Technology and Investment, Tonio Fenech, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, and the council of the Gozo Business Chamber.

Several points of special interest to Gozo were discussed at the meeting.

The Gozo Business Chamber said the air link is considered as a very important part of inter-island transport, especially for tourists visiting Gozo. The chamber stated it is in favour of bettering the existing facilities and building an airstrip which will accommodate fixed wing aircraft.

This, “is an important development that needs to be studied in further detail” the Prime Minister's Communications officer told this paper

The agenda included Gozo's representation on the MCESD, the Regional Projects Committee, investment and job creation in Gozo, inter-island transport, the ferry terminals, road construction, the Gozo Forum, Ggantija, Cittadella and Victoria town centre, as well as the possibility of a cruise liner terminal.

Both sides agreed that the creation of jobs is of utmost importance and expressed their preoccupation at the situation. They also discussed the garages for SMEs and the upgrading of Ta' Dbiegi Crafts Village.

The chamber delegation was informed that progress has been made in both cases and that the funds needed for the upgrading of Ta' Dbiegi had just been approved.

The Gozo Business Chamber expressed its worries about the unreliable cargo ferry service and the irregular schedule of the passenger ferry service. Several difficulties were mentioned, but the chamber was reassured that remedial action has already been taken and things should improve as from next week.

It also suggested that facilities shoud be provided for cruise liners to be able to visit Gozo. This, together with more yacht marinas, can be a source of more job and business generation in Gozo.

Limited financial resources seem to be the main hurdle which keeps the government from taking better care of Ggantija and the Cittadella. The chamber, however, expressed its opinion that both these assets should receive the same treatment as those accorded to similar places in Malta.

As regards the problem of parking in Victoria, the Prime Minister said that a solution seems to have been found.

The Prime Minister expressed his wish that more meetings between the two sides be held in the future and invited the chamber to come forward with ideas and suggestions.

The PM's Communications officer told this paper: “We can confirm that the meeting held was a constructive exercise which covered a variety of points as mentioned in the Gozo Business Chamber's press release. The government recognises the special needs of Gozo, and confirms that it continues to consider Gozo as an opportunity to achieve economic progress on a national level.

“We can also confirm that we are interested in finding ways on how to improve the existing links between the two islands because this is a crucial factor for the continued economic progress of Gozo, especially in tourism and industry.

“In this context we took special note of the Gozo Business Chamber's statement that it is in favour of improvements to the existing facilities (air link) including the building of an airstrip which will accommodate fixed wing aircraft. This is an important development that needs to be studied in further detail.”