Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri has officially launched the Gozo Regional Development Authority which will play a crucial part in transforming Gozo’s many challenges into opportunities.
This authority will be addressing the socio-economic development of Gozo by recommending projects and policies that broadly address the needs of Gozo and will present a framework for socio-economic policy for Gozo.
Minister Camilleri said that the Gozo Regional Development Authority will also be involved in the implementation of these projects and policies.
The authority will provide, among other things, a vision that enjoys the support of all stakeholders that make up the Gozitan society, including the government, the private sector as well as non-governmental entities, he said.
Camilleri added that since 2013, Gozo has recorded unprecedented economic growth - an average annual rate of 9.2%. However, he said that there was still a lot of potential that could be exploited.
The authority will have a fundamental part to play in as with the initiatives that Gozo will be taking, it will be able to continue attracting further services with high added value.
He explained that through this authority, Gozo’s characteristics will be addressed more urgently and adequately, especially the connectivity and better use of resources, both natural and financial, as well as human ones.
The required study that will be carried out by the authority, will ensure that the realities of Gozo are taken into account in a studied and professional manner in any proposal, he said.
President of the Authority Michael Grech remarked that the Gozo Regional Development Authority will be consulting with a number of entities including the government, the private sector, the constituted bodies, non-governmental organisations as well as the general public to prepare and publish a Regional Development Strategy for Gozo.
The authority will then be managing and monitoring the implementation of this strategy, Grech said.
He explained that this will be carried out either by taking direct implementation of such measures, or through agreements with other government departments and entities that have been assigned the responsibility for the implementation of specific measures.
Mario Borg, the Chief Executive of the Authority stated that the authority will also see to it that regional studies are carried out to assess the impact on Gozo of any national proposal that could affect the island.
This will ensure that the significant economic, social and environmental characteristics of Gozo are taken into account in any national strategy, policy making and planning, Borg said.
Michael Grech is being appointed as the President of the Gozo Regional Development Authority while Mario Borg will be its Chief Executive.