5 comments so far.The agro-tourism industry has huge potential in Gozo – PL
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On a visit to the Gozitano Centre, a Gozitan agriculture co-operative, at Xewkija, Gozo this afternoon, Dr Joseph Muscat, leader of the Partit Laburista (PL), stated that “a new Labour Government will support the sector of the agro-industry and agro-tourism in Gozo through a clear policy.
“This policy will incentivise and address these sectors in order to promote their growth and advancement,” he said.
Joseph Muscat went on to say that he sees “a huge potential in the agro-tourism industry in Gozo and that there is the possibility for sustainable development which will see quality tourists coming to the Maltese Islands even during the shoulder months.”
The Labour Leader said that “we have to promote a change in how we regard this industry. Farmers have to start thinking about getting involved in larger investment, which will not only deliver the raw product but also the processed product.”
He also spoke about the difficulties faced by the industry since producers who process their own products do not qualify neither for incentives as an agricultural product nor for business schemes. “This issue will be resolved because a new Government will acknowledge this sector and develop a clear policy in this regard.”
Dr Muscat also stated that a new Government will be facing another challenge in view of the fact that the agreement known as Special Market Policy Programme for Maltese Agriculture will be expiring. Through this agreement, Government could assist the industry. Dr Muscat said “that we have to work hard to retain all that we can from the EU regulatory structure.”
Dr Joseph Grech, Manager of the Gozitano Co-operative, said that there are around 500 farmers in Gozo and this co-operative was a way of joining these together in order to sell 100% Gozitan agricultural products.
Martin Camilleri Chairman of the Gozitano Cooperative was very pleased, that Dr Joseph Muscat Leader of PL , had come to visit the Agricultural Coop and he was very interested in the agricultural products of Gozo.
What Gozo needs is to be treated fairly and gets the funds that are due to it so it can carry the much needed upgrading of gozitan infrastructure. Also , Gozo needs IT jobs and also to have some of its tourist projects approved so that more tourist can stay in Gozo and not just do one day visits. That is what Gozo needs. With these initiatives, jobs will be created and Gozo can grow. When politicians talk about job creation for Gozo, we need to know how jobs will be created not just say jobs will be created. Jobs can only be created if there are funds available or if projects are approved instead of being rejected all the time because someone who has no interest in Gozo raises the environmental flag every time a project is announced. Gozo cannot remain in a cacoon.
What Gozo needs is to be recognised as part of the Maltese Islands, with government offices for all departments , able to deal with ALL aspects of day to day live for its residents.
@Janet Bayes
Very well said !!!
The President M.Camilleri and J.Grech Manager of the Gozitano Complex thanks Dr J.Muscat Leader of PL for the visit that he made at the Gozitano Building which is located at Mgarr Road Xewkija.