Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri has said that in Budget 2021 the recurring budget has been increased to €52 million while the budget for capital investments has been increased to a record €22 million for Gozo.

“This means that for the year 2021, Gozo will be enjoying a substantial financial increase over last year of more than €6 million,” he said.

Minister Camilleri listed a series of schemes that will be continuing in this newly submitted budget, as well as promotional support schemes for Gozitan enterprises operating especially in the digital innovation, internet technology and tourism sector.

He went on to say that despite these incentives to attract investment and quality work on this island, there must be quality infrastructure, highlighting the fact that work on the second fibre optic cable between the two islands is now complete and is expected to start operating in the coming weeks.

He explained that “This important investment will be the first step in attracting the digital innovation, gaming and internet technology sectors. An investment that will give reassurance to all those who invest in Gozo of a secure and continuous connection with the rest of the world.”

Minister Cailleri stressed that this government “is committed to carrying out the tunnel project between Malta and Gozo,” while saying that now is the time to select the concessionaire to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the tunnel that will many advantages for Gozitans who commute daily for work in Malta.

He mentioned the permanent addition of a fourth vessel to the Gozo Channel fleet, and said that the fast ferry connection project will be between Gozo and Valletta in the Grand Harbour, “which should be a means for people to travel in less than 45 minutes and provide more comfort particularly for those Gozitans who travel frequently and work in the vicinity of the City while it should also significantly reduce traffic.”

He listed the completed infrastructure projects across the island, including squares, roads, the Xlendi dry standing area and Menqa regeneration project in Marsalforn which, the Minister said, is nearing completion. In addition, the construction of the Mgarr Road artery is underway with an investment of more than €9 million and will be completed by the middle of next year, the Minister said.

The reconstruction of roads in Victoria in order to alleviate the traffic in this same city, as well as the reconstruction of two major roads, the road leading from Victoria to Marsalforn as well as the road leading from Xaghra to Marsalforn, will start next year, he said.

Minister Camilleri announced that on Sunday the construction of the Aquatic and Sports Centre in Victoria will begin, with completion “by next year.”

This project will include an Olympic size swimming pool and a large number of indoor sports facilities, so that in addition to offering these facilities to the Gozitan people, sports tourism will also be attracted to the island of Gozo, he said.

Minister Clint Camilleri also mentioned that the construction of the €9 million Gozo Museum project is underway, the first project of its kind for the island of Gozo, with first wing, which will host the maritime history of our island, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.

In addition, he explained that the necessary studies will be carried out in order to eventually implement an Underwater Cultural Museum.

Following the completion of the Menqa project, the regeneration of the Marsalforn waterfront has now started, a project that will be completed before the summer season next year, with a global investment of €3 million, Camilleri said.

“As well as the incentives that this government is giving to students who follow the courses in Malta, it will also carry out the accommodation project for Gozitan students in Villa Lauri, Birkirkara,” he said.

The Minister added that “as we think of our young people we must also remember our elderly and therefore work on the home for the elderly will continue at St. Joseph’s Home in Ghajnsielem to provide the best residential services for the elderly in Gozo.”

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