The latest news this week reports that, last year, our Gross Domestic Product grew by a further 6.6 per cent, far higher than the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission had expected. This news comes as we are well into the third month of the year, enjoying the budget measures planned for 2019, free from new taxes and, at the same time, we have dramatically reduced by two-thirds the number of people verging on social deprivation compared to the number registered up to 2013. 

Millions and billions

Figures released by the National Statistics Office show that the Maltese economy expanded by over €1,000 million, or 8.9 per cent, last year. The figures show that, in 2018, the GDP stood at €12,320 million, following an increase of €1,006 million. In real terms, the Maltese economy grew by 6.6 per cent – the result of, among other things,  an increase of over five per cent in domestic consumption.

All the main sectors of the economy registered growth. The figures show that the contribution to the economy from the service industries increased by nearly €686 million. Industry’s share of the GDP increased by €88 million, construction produced an increase of  €37 million and fisheries and agriculture accounted for another €22 million.

The most sensible  comment regarding such news is that while we take courage from the success, we remain fully committed to strengthening our impetus to ensure that this growth is tangibly and constantly leading to prosperity with a purpose. Success also comes at a price and Labour’s social conscience will never stop us from delving deeper into all the related challenges and bravely adopting the necessary response. Our approach is not – and never will be – to regard challenges as a mere perception, as was the case with the pre-2013 administrations.  

Great honour for Gozo

Gozo has, for the third consecutive year, won an award at the ITB Tourism Fair, which is being held in Berlin.  The prize for Best of Culture and Communities was awarded to Gozo by Green Destinations – an international organisation that promotes sustainable tourism.  The Award is made for “global leadership in protecting culture and tradition, involving local communities, and avoiding over tourism”.

This international honour for the island  could only have been achieved because the Gozo Ministry and everyone involved worked together to organise events that support Gozitan communities, making sure that Gozo is a showcase of cultural events throughout the year. We endeavour to participate in such important venues where the aim is to recognise and encourage practical and sustainable initiatives related to tourism.

The Ministry for Gozo organised – or helped rural and local communities to organise – a number of popular activities and thematic festivals, which have strengthened the position of Gozo as a distinct and sustainable destination throughout the whole year.  All such events are supported by the GTA and the business community, with whom we regularly plan such events.  

Local communities and cultural groups, as well as a strategic promotional programme by the Gozo Ministry, ensure that Gozo has a unique profile and is recognised as an island of cultural authenticity. These are the best components of a tourist product that is gradually attracting visitors of quality –  that certainly better describes the increasing surge of thousands who are specifically choosing Gozo for their holidays at any time of the year.

9 March, this year

Last Friday, 8 March, marked two important events: on that date two years ago, (which was a Wednesday) at about 9.40 am, Gozo lost one of its most famous landmarks once and for all when the iconic Azure Window – the 28-metre high natural open arch – collapsed during a violent storm, similar to the one we experienced a fortnight ago.

What remains on the second anniversary of it-Tieqa tad-Dwejra’s natural destruction are treasured memories and thousands of recorded artistic and romantic images. It was known that several partial collapses had occurred over the past three or four decades, and everyone agreed that little, if anything. could be done to save the natural geological attraction from the severe harm the rough and powerful seas could cause.

On this second anniversary, I will today join San Lawrenz Local Council in various activities to be held at Dwejra between 10 am and 6 pm to which everyone is invited to participate. The Gozo Ministry and the Local Council have entitled the events as ‘Dwejra looking beyond the fallen Azure Window’. This is, most definitely, no obituary, but a moment for reflecting on the appreciation we should all have for all the other natural and environmental places for which Gozo is renowned.

Women’s Day

March 8 is also Women’s Day, which gives the country the opportunity to appreciate everything that has been done to date for equality and emancipation, while serving as a reminder of the challenges that remain. This was yet another chance to take stock of where Malta and Gozo stand as a country on the matter of equality. It was most appropriate that, last Friday, the Government formally launched proposals for an equality action plan aimed at weeding out gender discrimination.  

We veer away from the customary rhetoric of singing praise for the partial recognition over the years, although we are still proud that it has always been the Labour movement that gave due respect to women’s rights in politics and public life. Gender-based violence, inequality and low participation of women, were all issues that still required the country’s attention.  As a woman and mother myself in the political field, I completely agreed with President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca that the country still needed to make a mental shift when it came to gender equality in order that a culture of inclusion could truly take hold.

Cherishing our past

Last week, I inaugurated the restoration work being carried out by Wirt Għawdex on the World War II Air-Raid shelters located opposite the main entrance to the Citadel in Victoria. This extensive project benefited from funds through an agreement signed between the Ministry for Gozo and the NGO in February last year for more than €50,000, and also included the restoration of the Loġġa tal-Palju located in the upper part of Republic Street, in Victoria inaugurated in December.

The World War II shelters in the Citadel are comprised of a complex of 32 rooms located below St Martin’s Bastion. Construction on this place of safety from air attacks began in 1941, and off a tunnel which is over 150 metres long are a number of private rooms that were used as a refuge for many families. The extensive restoration work that has been carried out at the shelters included cleaning and  removing a wide variety of material that had accumulated over the years.  Modern lighting and a PA system have been installed, as well as the renovation of some of the rooms with staging and the installation of information  panels about the site and its history.

This  project supports the Ministry’s commitment to continue working on the protection and conservation of Gozo’s historical and cultural heritage. While praising the initiative of Wirt Għawdex, I strongly believe that the preservation of historical sites remains key to cherishing the beliefs and challenges of our ancestors.

Special Olympics

What a joy it was to welcome Gozitan Special Olympics athletes at the Ministry this week.  I have always supported the hard work of the Special Olympics, headed by Anna Calleja – with whom I worked closely years ago – to extend their services to Gozitan athletes in Gozo. They will form part of the Special Olympics Malta contingent in representing our country at the Special Olympics World Games to be held in Abu Dhabi this coming week.

While congratulating the Gozitan athletes and the whole national contingent, I must admit that, despite the importance of all the meetings, planning and implementation of major projects within my ministerial remit, it is most fulfilling to witness and savour the genuine smiles of these generous young people and their families!