A fresh and proactive approach marked the pre-budget consultation with the Gozitan constituted bodies and stakeholders. On Thursday Gozo’s Regional Committee within the MCESD presented the Prime Minister with a report consisting of 17 demands or recommendations which, in the view of the representatives of all Gozitan sectors, are essential for the development of the island.

The report prepared by Gordon Cordina and Stephanie Vella was the fruit of a broad consultation exercise with all sectors of the Gozitan economy. It marks the direction that the Gozitans themselves believe needs to be taken to improve the economic situation on the island.

The committee split the list of recommendations into two sections. One includes measures that can be implemented immediately and the other includes measures with benefits extending over the medium term. Both sets of recommendations are not just simple haphazard shopping lists. They are sensible demands supported by sound arguments that reflect the needs of the Gozitan society and economy.

The inherent geographical and social characteristics of Gozo imply the need of specific and tailor-made interventions in order to overcome hindrances to development on a level playing field with the national economy. At first glance these characteristics can easily be portrayed as problems but, as the recommendations in the report reveal, they can be transformed into advantages. Indeed, Gozo’s distinctive assets can be used not just for the development of Gozo but also to strengthen the national economy.

The main issues that the report wants addressed as soon as possible are the high dependence on public sector employment, underemployment in the private sector, the absence of major growth activities that can propel the economy, the seasonality of tourism activity and the unexploited potential of the island, and the reaping of the potential that exists in sectors such as agriculture and fisheries, financial and real estate activities, and “new economy” services.

One of the main proposals in the report is the recognition of Gozo as a tourist locality for the purposes of shop opening hours. This is a very important recommendation as it does not just increase opportunities of employment but also goes a long way towards strengthening Gozo’s economy.

At present most visitors to Gozo, particularly local tourists, visit Gozo during the weekends and this situation is preventing the island’s tourism and retail potential from being exploited. This problem is recognised by the government and is being taken in hand. Shops in Gozo will be allowed to open during weekends and we are confident that this will have a very positive impact on the retail sector in Gozo.

The report also highlights a very important potential niche market for Gozo in rural tourism. Gozo, with its distinctive features including its landscape, countryside and tranquillity, does not only offer potential to develop rural tourism as a niche market, but can easily serve as an important model for the whole country.

Economic, social and environmental benefits are all expected outcomes of rural tourism but in order for this potential to be exploited there is a need for a specific policy which ensures the prevention of conflicts with other sectors such as livestock and vine agriculture. This has to be supported by the setting up and upgrading of related amenities including country trails. It is also very important for the strategy to be built on a sound educational base and this can be achieved by the development of a specific course on the subject.

A cruise liner berth for Gozo is another proposal in the committee’s report. During the consultation period leading up to the report Gozitan stakeholders commented on the positive implications of such a measure. This berth would increase expenditure by day visitors and provides the possibility to market Gozo as a unique tourist destination. Subsequently this would also attract repeat and longer-stay tourists.

The government is aware of the importance of the implementation of this measure. A tender had already been issued but none of the interested parties qualified to carry out the project. In this regard the government will issue another tender to embark on this project at the earliest.

Stakeholders praised the recent investment in the reconstruction of main roads in Gozo which have been partly financed through EU funding. This investment signifies better accessibility and higher safety but the need to resurface roads across the network, particularly those which are not arterial, is still there. The government will continue with its road works project and more EU finds will be directed towards improving the transport network on the island.

EU funds were not mentioned only in the ambit of road works. It was noted that capacity constraints may hinder the island’s benefit from best use of EU funds. The government is already addressing this problem and MEUSAC will soon be opening an office in Gozo. Local councils in Gozo are already benefiting from EU funding but having a MEUSAC representative office on the island will go a long way towards helping local councils and NGOs benefit more from EU finding programmes.

The achievements of the target set in the report have the potential to increase the country’s GDP by between 1.4 and 2.3 per cent. These are very significant figures. But to achieve them we have to stop thinking on the lines of replicating activity which is undertaken in Malta. It is high time that we started focusing on Gozo’s

distinctiveness. Only when we do so will the measures proposed in the report serve as the necessary points of departure for future development of Gozo.

Chris Said is parliamentary

secretary in the Office of the

Prime Minister