Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has inaugurated the new Gozo Innovation Hub, which is spread over 4,000 m2, and located at the former Malta Dairy Products site., which will be creating about 120 new jobs in Gozo.

The project was carried out with an investment of €9 million from Malta Industrial Parks and co-financed through European Funds for Regional Development and will be housing high-end, smart businesses working on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain and the internet of things.

The Planning Authority gave protection status in 2017 to the original 1950s modernist building, designed by the renowned Maltese Architect Joseph Huntingford (1926-1994), is located in Triq l-Imgarr and Triq il-Pitkali in Xewkija.

In August, it was announced that a new investment in Gozo was being made by the J2 Group in partnership with Microsoft, who will be operating from the Gozo Innovation Hub. Noovle, which is one of Google’s premium partners, has also confirmed it will begin its operations within the site. The Prime Minister remarked that the completed project will see the creation of good quality jobs, as well as being an important link in the Government’s vision of making Gozo a sustainable economic engine for the country.

“Gozo has always been associated with back office work rather than innovation. However, with by investing in high-value added economic activities we are improving the standard of living and creating well-paying jobs not only for Gozitans but also for everyone who lives in Gozo,” said Dr Muscat.

Minister for the Economy and Small Business Chris Cardona and Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana also were present for the event.

Dr Caruana said that, “our vision and determination to make Gozo the Innovation Island. The Gozo Innovation Hub will actively encourage innovation to bring about sustainable and inclusive growth.”

She stated that there are currently talks with other high-end companies to open their offices in Gozo, and thereby further increase opportunities for Gozitan workers.

“This Hub will help us to create tangible solutions enabling us to work and create quality jobs in Gozo for the Gozitans, while continuing to contribute to the economic growth and sustainable development of our country,”said Minister Caruana.Minister Cardona stated that the laying down of the second fibre optic cable between Malta and Gozo, and the investment in the new hub are are two important symbols of the economic change taking place in Gozo.

Photographs: MGOZ/George Scerri

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