Government’s vision for Gozo has already started to bear fruit – Scicluna

by Gozo News · September 19, 2015

The Minister for Finance, Prof. Edward Scicluna, has highlighted the vision that the Government has for Gozo, “not as a region at the periphery of the country but as one that contributes to the prosperity and development of the country as a whole,” he said.

Speaking at the Grand Hotel in Ghajnsielem, during a public consultation meeting in preparation for the 2016 Budget, Prof Scicluna said that this vision has already started to bear fruit.

Noting the newly published official regional statistics published by the Regional Statistics Unit of the National Bureau of Statistics, the Finance Minister said that in the first year of this administration the Gross Domestic Product of Gozo showed a nominal growth of 0.3% more than that of Malta, the Minister stressed that this needs to continue to be the case year after year to achieve a greater economic convergence between the two islands.

“Gozo has to grow at a rate greater than Malta … Although we are moving in the right direction, we are not there yet,” said Minister Scicluna. However, he expressed his confidence that this goal can be achieved.

The Minister recalled how in the last two and half years the Government had undertaken a number of initiatives to implement its vision and plan for Gozo. “Much has been done to attract investment to our country, and to ensure that it spreads to all regions of the country. Therefore, the wealth created as a result of this investment will benefit all Maltese and Gozitans.”

Prof Scicluna added that, “The Barts Hospital in Gozo will undoubtedly have a positive impact on long-term economic development of the island. Such investments also have consequential effects in other areas, thereby continuing to create more employment opportunities. All of this sends a strong signal that Gozo can also become a productive and successful investment.”

Also taking part at the consultation meeting were the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Active Ageing, Dr Justyne Caruana.