Update with more info below – This evening, Finance Minister Prof. Edward Scicluna, presented Budget 2021 – Strongly Moving Forward – in the House of Representatives. According to reports in some media, this could be the last budget, his eighth, presented by Prof Scicluna.
Some of the highlights of this Budget announced for Gozo and of general interest, are shown below, and may be updated:
Budget measures:
Fourth ferry to be kept permanently – tender to be issued, this ferry will be complemented by the X300 public transport service.
The Government “will continue to work to improve connectivity between the two islands. That is why the fast ferry project will be done after resolving the obstacles that have arisen that have led to the postponement of the introduction of this service,” the Minister said.
The Finance Minister said that with regards to the tunnel, the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process has been completed, which is the first stage of a three-way process, which should lead to the design of the concessionaire who will design and build if the project is feasible, finances, operates and maintains the tunnel.
Phase one of a pilot project by EcoGozo will be initiated for the generation of renewable energy from cow manure and organic material. Valley regeneration to be undertaken with afforestation and rubble wall reconstruction in various areas
The Finance Minister said that with the introduction of the second fiber optic cable; the Xewkija Innovation Hub and the continuation of work on the Astronomical Observatory National in Qortin in Nadur, new opportunities will be created high value-added work.
Incentives for the generation of more employment for Gozitans in Gozo will be extended.
With regard to the Back Office Employment Refund Scheme and promotional support schemes for Gozitan enterprises operating especially in the digital innovation, internet technology and tourism sectors, they will be improving to achieve more positive results, the Minister said.More details will be announced later.
A number of initiatives will be introduced in the traditional field of agriculture and fisheries to make these areas more sustainable by diversifying their operation.
Work on the home for the elderly at Ghajnsielem will continue, . Work will continue on the construction of the Aquatic Centre, in addition to the Olympic Swimming Pool, will incorporate the restoration and addition of more sports facilities in the Sports Pavilion.
The technical infrastructure of the horse race track in Ta-Xhajma will be upgraded.
The Master Plan for diving, which was prepared years ago, will be updated and renewed to reflect the present and future needs of this hobby and tourist niche.
Also, in terms of infrastructure, the reconstruction of Arterial Roads and other roads will be continued. As part of the landscaping, restoration work will be carried out on statues and niches around Gozitan streets and landscapes, as well as mosaic murals to be installed in the tourist areas and infrastructure work will be carried out in the Blue Lagoon area in Comino.
Smart parking project to be expanded to more roads and carparks in Gozo.
The necessary studies will be carried out to eventually implement the Underwater Cultural Museum, which should be the first of its kind in these islands.
The Virtual Reality project will also take place in the Citadel, which will allow the visitor to experience the history and culture of the place through interactive means.
In addition to the benefit for renting accommodation, which is being provided to Gozitan students, they will also continue to be assisted with the accommodation project at Villa Lauri, Birkirkara.
Work will continue on the home for the elderly at Dar Guzeppi in Ghajnsielem.
Pensioners to receive an additional €5 per week, made up of the full COLA increase of €1.75 and an additional €3.25.
€100 worth of vouchers will be sent out to all residents of Malta and Gozo in January – €10 and €15 denominations, those for retail and service sector will increase to €40.
There will be a new plan for tourism to be announced looking at the sector for the future ahead.
Children’s allowances to rise – households with income of below €25,300 will have a rise of €70 per child, families earning above the threshold will have an increase in allowance from €450 to €500.
Covid wage supplement scheme to be extended to March next year.
The amount exempt from Stamp Duty on the First Time Buyers Scheme is being increased from €175,000 to €200,000.
An extra day’s leave will issued to workers to make up for Public Holidays that fall over a weekend.
Free public transport for pensioners aged 70 and over.
Photo by Alain Salvary