A special Maltese government Task Force has identified five projects that have been submitted to the EU (along with some 2,000 others) to be included among the proposal by the Juncker Commission for projects aiming to kickstart the economy and promote growth and jobs.

The projects are:

• Construction of a breakwater for Valletta's second harbour - Marsamxett - including land reclamation, and quay development inside both Valletta harbours

• Construction of a rural airfield in Gozo

• Construction of monorail project involving mix over-ground and underground lines running North-South and West-East intersecting at key traffic junctions and feeding at its carious stops into other above ground public transport means.

• Developing infrastructure for procurement, handling, storage and distribution of medicines under public health services.

• Social housing and community centres for adult persons with disability.

The fact that these five projects have been identified must not lead to fanciful ideas that Malta will get any or all of these projects. On the contrary, one criteria that seems to be required is singularly absent from this wish-list - the idea that they must preferably include and enhance cooperation between two or more Member States.

The list of Maltese projects was presented by Alfred Mifsud, Malta Representative.

With regards to the rural airstrip in Gozo, the paper says: "Gozo is rural and simple, its culture and way of life rooted in fishing, and in primitive pastoral and agricultural activity,. Tomatoes, potatoes, onions, melons, grapes, figs, oranges, tangerines are the island's prime agricultural produce.

Gozo, though separated from mainland Malta by just a 5km stretch of Mediterranean sea is distinctly different from Malta. The soil is fertile as much blue clay is present. This means that rainwater does not sink through the ground quickly and is the reason why Gozo always looks greener for most part of the year.

Gozo is tranquil, and treasures its peace. For some, the silence can be overwhelming, but not to those for whom it spells a blessed respite from the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Gozo is not for those who like wild clubbing, but for those who treasure their peace of mind and soul and a slow rhythm of life.

Change is slow in Gozo, which adamantly sticks to its tortoise-like pace. Gozo has succeeded in retaining its dream-like qualities of peace and solitude. If Ulysses were to come here today, he would find it harder to leave.

Economically, Gozo suffers from double insularity. Its potential for high quality tourism remains largely untapped as in spite of policies to market Gozo as a distinct location from Malta, lack of direct access renders Gozo in the eyes of the tourist as a place to visit on a day trip from Malta rather than a place to spend a tranquil holiday in the high quality tourist accommodation already available in Gozo being 4/5 star hotels or private farmhouses.

The government believes it could reach its aim to render Gozo as a distinct tourist destination attractive for high quality tourists who treasure tranquillity, scenery and history over city bustle and tiring transportation by giving Gozo direct access by air.

More than 50% of the tourists that visit the Maltese islands actually visit Gozo on a day trip. However, only 7 to 8% of the tourist bed nights are spent in Gozo.

Efforts to market Gozo as a distinct destination are having some success especially in the quality of tourists as evidenced by the growth in tourist spend per night which has closed the gap with Malta and in 2012 it actually exceeded it.

Facilitated by having its own airfield Gozo's identity as a distinct destination from Malta will be enhanced and it will attract more and better quality tourists to bring the tourist bed nights spent in Gozo closer to 25% of the overall tourist visitors to the Maltese islands.

Presently Gozo has 12% of the total licenced bed capacity but only 8% share of the total bed nights. With the airfield project and other promotions and incentives both percentages can be raised to the targeted 25%. Increase in bed capactity in Gozo to meet such demand (practically doubling the present capacity) will be undertaken directly by the private sector. Maltese private investors have always been ready to make whatever investment is necessary to satisfy perceived demand without recourse to any government subsidies.

A rural airfield in Gozo would accommodate both internal flights from Malta's main airport as well as direct flights from nearby regions in particular Sicily and Southern Italy.

The rural air-strip will be grass-stripped, circa 860m long making use of ground stabilisation system, It will be fully licensed aerodrome facility.

The project is being spearheaded by the Ministry for Gozo with a total Budget estimate of €14 million.

Technical socio-economic and financial feasibility studies are underway and are expected to be completed by end 2-014.

Technical studies and regulatory /environmental approvals and detailed financial feasibility studies could be completed within a maximum of 12 months so that the project will become shovel-ready late in 2015 if the financing is in place.

Total execution period will be not more than 24 months from start of construction.

The five projects listed by Malta have a projected budget cost of:

Project 1: €140 million over 2 years from shovel-ready

Project 2: €14 million over 1 year from shovel-ready

Project 3: €1420 million over 8 years from shovel-ready

Project 4: €15 million over 2 years from shovel-ready

Project 5: €40 million over 8 years from shovel-ready.

Total: €1629 million