The official launch of the second fibre optic link between Gozo and Malta, has been welcomed by the Gozo Business Chamber, as well as the signing of an agreement between the three telecom operators on the operation of this link.

The Prime Minister Robert Abela together with the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli and the Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri, inaugurated the second fibre optic cable this morning, with the Prime Minister saying that it will “connect Gozo with the rest of the world and continue to create more quality work.”

He stressed that “Gozo must be the showcase of the digital core. A centre from which we can carry out this economic transformation of our country. But this is only the first step. I want Gozo to be like Malta – the best in Europe.”

The Government said that has also considered setting up the Gozo Fibre Optic Cable Ltd company, which has been entrusted to operate and maintain the new end-to-end link.

It said that this company negotiated and successfully concluded an agreement with three telecommunications operators in our country.

Dr Abela thanked Malta Enterprise, led by Kurt Farrugia, for their commitment to Gozo and for the hard work done to complete this project successfully, Gozo Fibre Optic Cable Ltd led by Mr Mario Galea who was among those who strongly believed in this project and to Electra and Orange for the work they have carried out in this new infrastructure.

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that this second fibre optic cable between Malta and Gozo will help attract more investment in Gozo related to gaming and the internet and will make Gozo accessible to the rest of the world.

The Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri stated that “as a Ministry, we firmly believe that this investment will strengthen the competitiveness of the island of Gozo so that it can attract new investment that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Gozo.”

Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli said that “with strong connectivity between Malta and Gozo, both businesses directly related to technology and other sectors essential to the quality of life will benefit.These include health, education, manufacturing and the creative industries, among others.”

Gozo Fibre Optic Cable Chairman Mario Galea said that through the opening of this cable, business opportunities will be opened up in the digital economy, remote gaming, digital niches, nomads and in many sectors that require the support of digital transmission.

Malta Enterprise said this is an important part of the Government’s economic vision, that “with innovation we will attract more companies to Gozo.”

It went on to say that it had a vision for the second fibre-optic link to Gozo and “worked to make this vision a reality.”

It has now become much easier for new companies to operate thought this Gozo connectivity that will also benefit other sectors essential to the quality of life of Gozitans, such as health and education, Malta Enterprise said.

The GBC, in its statement said that it had advocated the proposal of a second fibre optic cable for a number of years. “Seeing this proposal being implemented is an important milestone, which will ensure and secure the development of certain economic sectors on the island.”

The importance of this second fibre optic link lies in the fact that it will be providing ease of mind to those willing to invest in the digital sector in Gozo, the GBC said

It stressed that the pandemic has shown the importance of diversifying the Gozitan economy, which is over-reliant on certain economic sectors such as tourism.

The Chamber pointed out that the second fibre optic link also complements another important investment, which is the Digital Innovation Hub in Xewkija.

The Chamber concluded by saying that it believes that this second fibre optic link will help to attract companies in the digital sector to set up business in this Hub, creating an eco-system of businesses in this sector, which will also impact positively local economic operators.

Photo: DOI/Jeremy Wonnacott

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