Malta Enterprise in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and the Gozo Business Chamber recently organised an information seminar in Gozo. This seminar was primarily aimed at promoting Gozo for industry, especially those connected with the manufacturing and services sectors. It was also intended to increase awareness, amongst Gozitan industrialists and employers, of the various incentive schemes for industry administered by Malta Enterprise.

Information delivered by Malta Enterprise officials during this seminar dwelt on incentives for companies to set up in Gozo. The latest available figures relating to the current employability situation on the island were also quoted thus giving a more realistic picture. These schemes are mainly addressed at giving the necessary incentives to enterprises to consider setting up their activity in Gozo. They are also aimed at mitigating, to a certain extent, the particular challenges posed to such activities by Gozo's double insularity.

Most of the incentive schemes are mainly open to the manufacturing industries that are eligible for assistance as per current legislation under the Business Promotion Act or the Malta Enterprise Act. However, the Corporation administers other incentives under the Income Tax Act, such as the recently launched e-commerce tax credit scheme, which schemes are open to any economic activity conducted through a company or by an individual.

Another presentation gave a detailed overview of the Business Support services offered by Malta Enterprise to facilitate and foster enterprise with particular reference to Gozo. Such services include consultancy services for internationalisation, quality standards, environmental issues, and support for participation in international events such as specialised trade fairs and exhibitions overseas. Aid is also given to start-up companies in the initial phases of their operation.

The seminar was organised on the initiative of the Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, who also addressed the attendees. She stressed the importance for Gozitan businessmen and entrepreneurs to become familiar with the many schemes launched by Government through Malta Enterprise in order to promote and facilitate industry.

The professional support and assistance given by Malta Enterprise is considered as an important added value to the various fiscal and non fiscal incentives one may benefit from these schemes. Minister Debono also remarked that some of these schemes would be co-funded through EU funds. Gozo will be benefitting through at least 10% of EU funds allocated to Malta for budgetary period 2008-2013.

Malta Enterprise officials, namely Mr Dennis Vella, Mr Joe Azzopardi and Mr Pierre Theuma delivered the relative information on the business incentives and the new initiatives by Malta Enterprise to promote Gozo as a regional destination for new projects. Gozo Business Chamber president, Mr Joe Grech also addressed the seminar.