The first phase of the construction process for the Malta-Gozo fibre optic link, which covers the surveying of the route of the cable, was completed at the beginning of April, Elettra CEO and President Didier Dillard said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Gozo, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that Gozo is still the space for holidaying, but it has now also established itself for innovative events that attract thousands of foreigners and Maltese alike.

“Gozo is not just tagging along to the economic growth.”

He described how Malta’s sister island is now the new home of an ever-increasing list of accomplished international entrepreneurs and professionals who are “weaving a new chapter of life” on the island.

“It is also providing opportunities for locals to stay, find better employment, or venture into enterprise for the first time.”

Muscat maintained that the Government is fully committed to maximizing the islands potential, but insisted that the type of support our businesses need is not only financial assistance.

“This is why through Malta industrial parks we are working on two ancillary facilities to the Xewkija industrial estate that will see the disbursement of €18 million of EU funds towards space of industrial use in tal-Hofra and a fully-fledged innovation hub.”

In explaining that reliable internet connectivity was a foundation for any tech business, Muscat said that he was convinced that in the years to come we will revisit this period of time as a time where Gozo reaped its best economic and social results.

Speaking before the Prime Minister, Dillard explained that submarine cables are essential for the economic development of any country and all regions of the world.

“For major cities in the world these submarine cables are installed by private companies, but there are many places for which the connectivity requires the intervention of public entities.”

He insisted that Elettra and Orange Marine were fully aware of that, and were very happy and proud to contribute to publicly funded projects that bring connectivity to people that really need it.

The partners for the project are Joseph Cachia & Son Limited, part of the M. Demajo Group as the local representative in Malta respsonsible for all terrestrial activities and cable supply; Asfaltar are in charge of terrestrial infrastructures and cable installation; and Nexans are in charge of terrestrial and submarine cable manufacturer.

The project includes 20.7km of cables and 24 fiberoptics – described as “enough connectivity for decades to come”.