The Gozo Business Chamber is seeking to re-ignite the debate on a permanent link between the two main islands, given Gozo's predicament during Storm Harry this week, a phenomenon that left Gozo isolated.

"The past few days have continued to show how accessibility remains at the core of Gozo's present and future, the chamber said Saturday," it said. To this end the Chamber would like to acknowledge and show its appreciation for the work of Gozo Channel workers, police, civil protection, medics, and other public officers who despite the adverse weather conditions ensured the provision of emergency services, and the safety of all concerned. This week also marked the launch of the Task Force that will focus on the accessibility of Mġarr Harbour and on Gozo's accessibility in general, it said.

The chamber is part of this Task Force and will provide its contribution within this body, which it believes is an important milestone and a tool for the implementation of important actions which should ensure that the criticalities of Mġarr harbour are addressed, and the necessary infrastructural works are undertaken to complement the planned expansion of the Gozo Channel fleet.

"Nonetheless the adverse weather conditions have also shown Gozo's dependency on one mode of transport which has seen Gozo cut out completely from the rest of the world, the chamber said. People were stranded, and flights and appointments were missed because our sole mode of transport between the two islands could not operate."

The chamber thus calls for the discussion of the permanent link between the two islands to be reconsidered. The chamber was the main promoter of the project ensuring its inclusion in the country 's policy agenda. "The same Gozo Regional Development Strategy, issued in 2023, highlighted the need to re-examine this project." The Chamber would like to note that one project does not exclude another.

"In fact, the planned expansion of the Gozo Channel fleet and the permanent link project would complement each other, strengthening the island's resilience. Positive steps had been taken in the past, and a lot of work had already been undertaken. To this end the Chamber said it believes that the subject merits a serious and transparent discussion, one that would ultimately ensure a more resilient Gozo."

A pemanent link - a tunnel or a bridge - has been the subject of discussion for decades, but the government has shelved the idea after a study carried out a few years ago.