The latest in the Djalogu series, organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in connection with the pre-budget document, focused its attention on Gozo and the needs of the island. Gozitans from all sectors of society attended this session in order to pass on their remarks and suggestions to Dr Lawrence Gonzi who crossed over to Gozo immediately after the news conference held at his office following the official announcement that Malta has qualified for eurozone membership.
Dr Gonzi invited those present to forward their complaints and suggestions in order that matters could be tackled so that Gozo, as a special region, would be strengthened. Dr Gonzi said that following a similar meeting last year, suggestions were favourably considered in last year’s budget document and are now being implemented. These included the upcoming Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana festival and the recently-launched incentive scheme of Lm1 million aimed at increasing job opportunities in Gozo.
The discussion was opened by lawyer Joseph Grech, manager of Gozitano Cooperative Society and consultant to the Gozo Bus Owners Association. Dr Grech commented on the improvements made by Gozo’s economy through the utilisation of EU funds following Malta’s accession to the European Union. He referred to the Special Needs Assessment Study undertaken by the Gozo Ministry prior to accession and how projects suggested through this study would affect the island’s economic development.
Dr Grech referred to the improved accessibility to Gozo through the new Gozo Channel vessels and the new terminal at Mgarr Harbour that would be complemented by the embellishment of the Zewwieqa waterfront. He referred to the ongoing road projects and the direct link of such projects to the tourism industry, citing also the contribution that projects such as artificial dive sites and the new Institute of Tourism Studies give to the industry in general.
Interventions by those present focused on education, health services, taxation, employment opportunities, tourism and business. The construction of a new boys’ secondary school was welcomed as were ongoing projects in the health sector. Suggestions included the increase in allowances to Gozitan students studying in Malta, the need for investment in call centres on the island, the transfer of back office work to Gozo and reduced tax rates for investors. Bureaucracy was termed as one of the hindrances in the further economic development of the island, with a leading entrepreneur also citing a mismatch between job availability and those willing to work in particular areas, quoting job vacancies in the manufacturing sector that remain unfilled notwithstanding the growing list of unemployed.
Other suggestions came from the tourism and business sectors. Positive discrimination to help Gozitan manufacturing and tourism industry was asked for while the necessity of promoting Gozo as a separate destination was also stressed.
Dr Gonzi commented that he was pleased to see the public’s interest in education and health, confirming the need for the government to continue investing in these two sectors. The mismatch between job seekers and job vacancies was a phenomenon that existed also in Malta, possibly brought about by more students following tertiary education. The Prime Minister urged Gozitan students to avail themselves of scholarships that would soon be launched, enabling them to continue their studies in Malta and abroad.
Dr Gonzi spoke about the government’s policy in continuing to offer free health and education services, referring to the reduction in the country’s deficit as allowing the government to implement an adequate social policy.
The Prime Minister said the government understood the need for positive discrimination to attract more investment to Gozo and remarked on Gozo’s 10 per cent share of the country’s funds obtained from the European Union for the next budgetary period.