The Gozo Youth Council (GYC) has welcomed the government’s promise in the investment in a second fibre optic cable between Malta and Gozo, which is expected to be finished within two years.
On this issue, GYC said that, “It is a crucial investment for Gozo as it promotes not only the IT industry but also other trade, essential for Gozo’s progress towards more sustainable jobs. In the long run, only the creation of more jobs can slow the brain drain and make the island more habitable for youths. The plan for this project must be backed up, however, by prospective foreign direct investment (FDI) or platforms for local businesses to flourish. Let’s not create a tool that is to remain unused”.
More must definitely be done to create jobs in Gozo. We have also noted that the cruise liner industry is due to progress through government investment, but it was not mentioned how Gozo will benefit from this. The decentralisation of powers has been strongly welcomed by the GYC, as this should lead to more decisions regarding Gozo being taken by its people.
The GYC on the other hand notes that there is no indication of the green airfield mentioned in last year’s budget, in which it was alluded that an environmental impact study on a green airfield was to take place. Gozo needs to diversify its economy, more specifically it’s tourism, and be less dependent on tourism that solely travels via Malta. If Gozo could receive small passenger planes at affordable prices for the consumer, we could benefit from longer stays. This is also a step toward branding our island, offering a dissimilar product than other mediterranean islands.
Furthermore, the fast ferry service between Mgarr Gozo and Valletta is a positive step towards enhancing traveling between both islands but also reducing car usage and eventually emissions. “We need a short term solution to traffic congestion and time wasted on the roads. The fast ferry link is a project that has worked in the past and that the GYC has since it’s initiation advocated”.
The GYC is also supportive of the much needed investment within education in Gozo, as the Government has committed itself to expand University of Malta buildings. However, nothing was mentioned regarding the existing Campus, which needs to be better utilised. “We need to attract foreign and Maltese students in Gozo by offering courses that differentiate themselves from those offered on the mainland. These should be focused on areas that would be ideal to study in Gozo, such as, biology, agro cultivation and the social sciences”.
The reduction of capital transfer duty on residential property purchased in Gozo to 2% is also a very constructive and encouraging tool to attract investment in Gozo. “We welcome this measure as it means that Maltese citizens can benefit from a tax reduction when buying a second home in Gozo, thereby stimulating the real estate industry and the economic chain that follows, not excluding the counter effect of the brain drain phenomenon.”