Gozo, has for the first time hosted a 2-day INSULEUR Forum, with the theme – Digital Transformation of European Islands – which was organised by the Gozo Business Chamber in collaboration with the Minister for Gozo.

This event brings together the island chambers of commerce in the Mediterranean, and the Gozo Business Chamber presently holds the presidency of INSULEUR (Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union).

Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana in her address, listed the work to ensure Gozo is competitive and also part of the digital transformation.

She stressed how Gozo, like other islands, has insularity problems, however the long-term vision is to defeat this challenge and change it into an opportunity.

Dr Caruana explained that the work of the Gozo Ministry includes three key tracks. First and foremost the investment being made in digital infrastructure including a second fibre optic cable and the Gozo Innovations Hub.

She said the second is a culture open to embracing change in the Gozitan business community as driven by the Government, and the third is the investment being made in human resources, which is also coming through various initiatives the Ministry for Gozo is taking.

Gozo has already attracted big names in the technology sector, artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning and data analytics, which are new niches and areas generating investment and job creation, said the Minister for Gozo.

The speakers at the forum included among others, President of INSULEUR Mr. Joseph Borg, Linda Randall (Nordegio International Research Centre), Tony Moretta (Digital Jersey), Elias Michelioudakis (Management Consultant at European Commission), Christophe Riedmann (Policy Adviser, Eurochambres), Michael Aim (Head of Digital Transformation), Giannis Roussos (President Cyclades Chamber), Vasilis Salapatas (Head of IT Department, Athens CCI).

Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri

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