The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Auditorium of the Queen Mary University of London Malta Campus, Victoria, Gozo, where it described connectivity between Gozo and Malta as the island’s ”economic and social lifeline,” while favouring ”permanent connectivity.”

Opening the meeting, GBC CEO Daniel Borg emphasised that the Gozo Business Chamber is not an entity that operates in isolation, but one that has developed within the Gozitan community. Over the years, he noted, the Chamber has continuously evolved in order to adapt to changing economic, social and global realities.

“The Gozitan community is changing, businesses are changing, and the world around us is changing. The challenges of today are not the challenges of yesterday,” he stated.

Borg said that ”within this context, the AGM serves as an important moment of reflection and forward vision – a time to review the work carried out over the past year and to set clear priorities for the future.”

He reiterated that the Chamber is not merely a business association, but an institution embedded within the socio-economic fabric of Gozo, which must remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the island.

During the AGM, the financial and administrative reports of the Chamber were presented. A key highlight of this year’s AGM were the keynote interventions by Mario Borg, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, and Ivan Falzon, Chief Executive Officer of the Gozo Regional Development Authority.

The meeting also featured an address by Chris Said, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Gozo for the Opposition.

In his closing address, GBC President Michael Galea outlined a clear and forward-looking vision for Gozo’s development, centred on connectivity, diversification, sustainability and stronger regional governance.

He described connectivity between Gozo and Malta as the island’s ”economic and social lifeline,” reiterating the Chamber’s consistent position in favour of ”permanent connectivity,” while stressing that such a project must be accompanied by ”sound planning, environmental safeguards, strong governance and public trust.”

“The question is not whether Gozo should strengthen its connectivity, but how we prepare the island for sustainable growth. Connectivity must go hand in hand with intelligent planning, environmental protection and strong governance,” President Galea stated.

President Galea further emphasised the need for sustained investment in strategic infrastructure and essential services, describing such investment as fundamental to quality of life, economic competitiveness and long-term resilience.

Economic diversification was identified as a priority for Gozo’s future. While tourism and construction remain important pillars, he stressed the need to ”broaden the island’s economic base through digitalisation, knowledge-based sectors and innovation-driven activity, while continuing to support small and family businesses that form the backbone of the Gozitan economy.”

Referring to youth, President Galea highlighted the importance of the Youth4Entrepreneurship initiative, now in its seventh edition, as a concrete example of how the Chamber is actively contributing towards building an ecosystem that empowers young Gozitans to innovate, create and contribute to the island’s future economy.

Concluding, President Galea reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to building a ”resilient, competitive and sustainable economic future for Gozo through collaboration at local, national and international level.”

Photo: GBC

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