4 August 2007 Rating 2% No Comment  

"In the pre-budget document we are witnessing the customary rhetoric about Gozo, that Gozitans themselves have got accustomed to ignore. There is no alternative economic vision for Gozo. Indeed the pre-budget document admits to the dependence on the island on the building industry. With this government, Gozo is locked in a downward spiral of political patronage, economic dependency on government employment and environmental degradation resulting from over-development." Dr Harry Vassallo said during a press conference at AD Party offices in Gozo. "Gozo can be directly assisted at no expense to�the government if the proposal made by Alternattiva Demokratika to shift public holidays falling on weekdays to a Friday or a Monday is implemented. Whilst aiding productivity all over the country it would sustain Gozo by increasing the incidence of long weekend breaks which many Maltese choose to spend here in Gozo," Dr Vassallo concluded. Victor Galea, AD Secretary General and spokesperson for Gozo said "Alternattiva Demokratika is proposing the setting up of a Venture Capital Fund aimed at assisting private enterprise in creating employment opportunities in Gozo by developing its potential as an eco-island. If the political will can be found to take concrete steps in this direction we have the promise of assistance from Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio who heads the Italian Green Party and is currently the Italian Minister for the Environment. Such a project could create hundreds of Gozo-specific posts while adding value to Gozo as one of the unique islands in the world. As an eco-island Gozo can be a national leader in alternative energy providing an additional visitor venue through an alternative energy centre, creating employment for technicians, engineers and marketing and hospitality staff while driving a campaign to reduce energy bills for every household and business in Gozo" The decline in tourism has resulted in further unemployment in Gozo and has become a source of grave concern to the community. However, given that it is still an ideal destination, Gozo warrants much greater autonomous accessibility. AD believes that direct links between Sicily and other Mediterranean islands directly to the island of Gozo, both by seaplane and by catamaran, should be established. Dr Vassallo concluded that "whilst tourism is key to Gozo's economy, other investment is needed to provide alternative employment. Gozo's lower cost-base can and should be marketed. It is high time that government took serious action to promote call centres and back-office operations in Gozo. We have heard only talk in this regard. Now the Gozitans demand action."