An action plan to revive commercial activity at Ta’ Dbiegi handicrafts village in Gozo was signed yesterday by Edwin Vassallo, parliamentary secretary for the self-employed, Gharb mayor David Apap and Martin Bowerman on behalf of Malta Enterprise.

The aim is to promote Ta’ Dbiegi handicrafts, promote the village as a tourist destination, offer financial assistance to the village’s association of shop owners, market the village and help the owners exhibit their products abroad.

Mr Vassallo said the agreement they had signed should lead to collaboration between the government, Gharb council and Malta Enterprise to promote initiatives for the village, where there are 13 tenants, who will be joined by another four in the coming months.

The village was recently upgraded in an Lm80,000 (e186,349.87) government programme.

The action plan includes erecting road signs to indicate the route to the village, printing maps, advertising – including on Gozo Channel ferries, and educational tours to the village.

Financing will be effected by the council and the government, through EU funds, over a period of two years.