The Malta Independent 2 May 2024, Thursday
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Prime Minister says 12 companies already interested to operate fast ferry between Malta and Gozo

Gabriel Schembri Wednesday, 31 May 2017, 18:31 Last update: about 8 years ago

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that he wants Gozo to be packed with work, and that is why PL is proposing that every company which moves to this island does not pay tax for three years.

"We will not give you €10,000 to come and live in Gozo, we have real, plausible proposals," he told the crowd in Xaghra.

Joseph Muscat was addressing the crowd which gathered in Xaghra for the penultimate mass meeting before end of the election campaign.

Dr Muscat said that there are 12 companies have already expressed interest to operate the work for the fast ferry. He said that in a few months, the fast ferry service will be ready to start so that the voyage from Gozo to Valletta will take 45 minutes.

On the Gozo tunnel, Muscat said that the public has to choose whether to trust him, or someone who spent 15 years to build a mall. He also referred to the hospital projects in Gozo. "The only proposal by PN for Gozo is this - Simon Busuttil wants to remove this hospital. And it would be a disaster."

Dr Muscat said that without the Gozo hospital, there will not be any medical school. The investment is expected to help provide some €50 million in the Gozitan economy.

Dr Muscat said that the fact that a huge international company such as Sky Betting and skyBET are transferring to Malta, shows that the PN is lying when saying that betting and online gaming companies are considering to leave the country.

The Prime Minister was referring to an announcement which was made earlier, that the companies mentioned above had applied for sport betting licence in Malta. 

"The best times for Gozo are yet to come, because we have a clear plan. Our plans are within reach. If you go out and vote for all the PL candidates, you can make these plans happen."

"There are those who could not stomach the fact that this island has chosen Labour," he said.

The Prime Minister said that he has personally made sure that a film production who wanted to shoot in Malta, were shot in Gozo. He did the same thing with Bart's medical school.

"I am full of courage. I don't base on numbers. The real survey will be held on Saturday when you all go out to vote."

He referred to the debate at the broadcasting authority, saying Simon Busuttil started reading a text message saying an international company is set to leave Malta. "In the most important debate, Simon Busuttil does not come with proposals. He came up with some text message without confirming anything."

"I can assure you that no company will close down. I checked on the issue and I made sure that the story is not true. Hopefully, on Tuesday I will be having a coffee at this company's headquarters."

Dr Muscat said that while PN tried to scare off investment, while the government inaugurated an extension at Playmobil, an investment of €44 million. "If you saw a lot of work coming your way in the last four years, expect much more in the next five years."

The investment which the Prime Minister is referring to, was announced earlier today. The independent media was not invited to cover the event.

 

He also announced that a consortium from India will be willing to take up lost jobs at a local pharmaceutical company.

On trapping and hunting, Prime Minister said that he will make sure that he will open the turtle dove season when it will be possible. He said that the government needs to revise the way fines are given to those breaking hunting regulations. 

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