Datatrak, a technology services exporter, has opened a branch in Gozo with managing director Joe Fenech Conti saying the company had ambitious plans to win a bigger share of international technology markets which use geographical information systems. Investment Minister Austin Gatt said the branch would be employing 25 persons.

Mr Fenech Conti said the investment in Gozo was made as a result of new incentives created by the government for that purpose, encouraging Maltese businesses to invest in Gozo.

Dr Gatt recalled that in the last two years the government had channelled more than e2.3 million to investment schemes in Gozo. The Smart Island strategy the government had aimed to develop Gozo as a centre of different services which complemented tourism.

These included back office services modelled on the HSBC centre, technology businesses on the 6PM and Datatrak models; electronic games and research and development, especially in biotechnology.