The first Crafts Incubation Centre, being built in Gozo, and which is part of a project being carried out under the Structural Funds Programme for Malta 2004-2006, co-financed under the European Regional Development Fund, entered into its second phase with all construction work finished in recent days.

This Ministry for Gozo project provides an added opportunity for craftspersons in Gozo in the initial phases of their trade, with the provision of ten units to be utilised by newly-created businesses in the production of crafts. The project also allows for the use of specialised equipment, in use by the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts, besides the state-of-the-art facilities currently undergoing finishing works.

The new Crafts Incubation Centre forms part of a wider project which includes the construction of an extension to the present Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts in Għajnsielem, involving the investment of Lm372,465 or around €865,000. The extension now provides for a new administration area, considerable exhibition space, a conference room as well as five specialised workshops together with newly procured specialised equipment for the benefit of participants attending the various crafts-related courses held.

During a short visit to the finishing works currently in progress, the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, said that one of the main objectives of the Ministry for Gozo is to sustain development which leads to the creation of more job opportunities on the island. The implementation of this project not only provides a better learning and working environment for those wishing to initiate a sustainable career in crafts, but also serves to encourage more artisans to set up their own private businesses, maximising their potential towards the benefit of the island’s economy.

Minister Debono said that the crafts sector remains an important one for the island of Gozo, with Government identifying this area as one with potential for further development, not only for the direct impact this sector could have on the creation of further employment opportunities on the island but also as an enhancement to the tourism product on offer.

Minister Debono referred to the increased opportunities for training in Gozo in this area with the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts starting off with three courses on offer in 1989, but now offering 44 art and crafts courses, including eleven courses co-funded through the European Social Fund to a total of 1289 students of all ages. Referring to the direct investment by Government in the crafts area in Gozo, the Minister for Gozo also spoke about the modernisation of the Ta’ Dbieġi Crafts Village in Għarb which was brought to an end late last year through the investment of a further Lm70,000 (around €163,000).

Besides the Crafts Incubation Centre project and the extension of the Wistin Camilleri Gozo Centre for Art and Crafts, another Ministry for Gozo project currently underway aimed towards providing quality training opportunities for human resources in Gozo, is that of the construction and setting up of a new Training Facility for Tourism Studies in Qala, co-financed by the European Regional Development fund and the Government of Malta. Complimenting these two projects, Government is also offering a wide selection of courses and schemes, for which more than 600 Gozitans over sixteen years of age will have benefited by end of this year.