The Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Joseph Muscat, this morning addressed the closing session of the Regional Labour Congress, titled Gozo: Priority, held at the Grand Hotel. Mgarr.

The Prime Minister said that during the the first months of Government short-term measures were actioned which had helped to kick-start the economy, initiatives such as free ferry travel to Gozo etc. During this year more long-term plans are being carried out.

Gozo tourism has reached unprecedented levels and the Government will continue to work to attract more tourists as well as work to promote the island of Gozo, said the Labour leader.

Dr Muscat mentioned that Gozo is currently hosting the production of a major film, which, he said was originally to be filmed in Malta, “but because Gozo is in fact a priority, the production team was convinced, through the Government and Film Commission, to move filming to Gozo.”

The Labour leader said that the Government would continue working to make Gozo more accessible, outlining how the period of interest for the Cruise Liner Terminal had recently closed.

He added that ongoing studies are needed for an air-strip in Gozo – a green air-strip to be environmentally sustainable.

Funds for a feasibility study for a fibre optic cable to Gozo were allocated earlier this year, this would help attract Financial and Gaming companies to the island. Feasibility studies on a bridge or tunnel connection had stopped due to financial issues, however alternative funding for a future study is being considered, explained Joseph Muscat.

The Prime Minister said that discussions for the establishment of an International Medical School in Gozo were moving forward, this would see an influx on students in the winter months, when traditionally the tourist industry would see a fall in numbers.

In the field of education, the Prime Minister explained that education Gozo had not been given the importance as Malta by the previous administration. “This year we invested € 1 million, which included the start of a co-educational school system and the renovation of several schools on the island”

Returning to the subject of education, the Prime Minister said that students who had previously not thought about continuing their formal education because of travelling to Malta, could now do so with the new facilities in Gozo, these included new courses and half day workshops at MCAST.

The Prime Minister mentioned the opening of the new MCAST Campus at Ghajnsielem and said that through these few examples it shows that “Gozo is not just an after thought, but that Gozo is a priority.”

“Gozo is also getting results even in terms of jobs, and things will get better in the period ahead, Families and businesses are optimistic for the future, stressed the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister reiterated that in the upcoming budget “we are going to show how we will continue to boost the economy, and drive down the deficit, today everyone knows the situation. There are problems but we have solutions,” said Joseph Muscat.

Finally the Prime Minister thanked Archbishop Cremona for his service. He had helped the Maltese Church to move forward, the PM said. He led the Catholic Church during a delicate time and saw that although the Church intervened and spoke out on what it believed, it did not fall into partisan politics.

The Prime Minister augured well for Archbishop Cremona’s successor, and hoped that the next Archbishop would follow the example left behind.

Also addressing this session were the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Active Ageing Dr Justyne Caruana, and Labour MP Dr Franco Mercieca.

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