The Nationalist Party believed in the potential of Gozo and this was why the government was going to continue investing and implementing measures to help the island, PN leader Lawrence Gonzi said yesterday.

Speaking during a political activity in Marsalforn, the Prime Minister said the government introduced incentives to stimulate Gozo’s economy and, as a result, strengthen economic activity and increase employment opportunities. He said the government was ensuring that a good amount was invested to improve Gozo’s environment as well as educational opportunities so that Gozitan students could further their studies.

Among others, Dr Gonzi mentioned the increase in the stipends of Gozitan students, the opening of a branch of the Malta College of Arts, Sciences and Technology and an investment of Lm3 million for the development of a new school in Victoria.

Dr Gonzi also spoke about the government’s efforts to expand tourism in Gozo through the new schemes of the Gozo Channel. He said the government will be increasing the funds so that more events would be organised in Gozo which would attract more Maltese for a holiday there. He said a Notte Magica in Gozo was in the pipeline.

The Prime Minister said that in the past three years, his government took concrete decisions to improve the quality of life of Gozitans with a number of measures, including a 25 per cent reduction in trading licences for tourist businesses, berthing facilities for cruise liners, a decompression chamber and various other capital projects, such as the completion of the Mgarr terminal.