The Prime Minister Robert Abela says that with a policy aimed at the needs of Gozo, Gozo people live a better quality of life In the heart of Victoria City, in the presence of many Gozitan stakeholders, the strategy for the regional development of Gozo was launched, built on the concept of Gozo: Island of Villages.
The aim of the strategy is to spur an economic and social transition so that Gozo people can live a better quality of life. This ten-year plan, drawn up by the Gozo Regional Development Authority, embraces three main principles which are the wise use of the environment, both urban and rural, economic growth that leads to quality of a better life, and more value to the Goztian identity.
During this launch, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that it is through policies aimed at the needs of Gozo that Gozitians can live a better quality of life. He said that the Government’s vision for Gozo is a clear one, the one that achieves the necessary balance between the economic activity and the social and environmental aspects of the island.
“We want the Gozo people to live well, in an island with a future designed by them. Gozo’s realities are best known to Gozo and that is why it was crucial for us that this strategy originates from among Gozo”, stressed the Prime Minister.
Dr. Abela said that the implementation of this strategy will start from the next budget, with the Government looking at more incentives to direct investment and options in Gozo towards protecting the heart of the villages. and the natural environment. He mentioned how Gozo must be the driver of the ecological transition, including by being the first part of the country to be carbon neutral, with incentives for the promotion of green buildings, the electrification of transport, strong connectivity and open spaces.
He said that the biggest environmental project in Gozo, that of an open space in the heart of Victoria, will see the regeneration of 22,000 square meters of land. He stressed that the consultation on this project has just ended and that it was very well received by the Gozo people. He also referred to a number of other projects that will be inaugurated in the coming weeks including the Nadur Primary School, the Rabat educational complex, the new Dental Centre, and the Center for Health. He concluded by saying that Gozo will be an island of opportunities that offers a quality of life that suits the people of Gozo.
Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri stated that this strategy which was launched after a wide consultation revolves around the vision of Gozo: an Island of Villages. “We want to see that we make the best sustainable use of the land. Gozo must also move towards an economic balance that ensures a quality of life. We must again give value to the identity of Gozo because Gozo without its identity does not exist”, claimed the Minister for Gozo.
Minister Camilleri went on to say that in order to achieve this vision, 8 priority areas are being presented that will lead to this vision for the next ten years being implemented. Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that while we recognize that over the last few years a lot has been done and Gozo has moved forward, we must now carry out this strategy so that Gozo really reaches its potential.
The Chief Executive of the Gozo Regional Development Authority, Mr. Mario Borg, said that the process by which this strategy was prepared was a rigorous one where a series of consultation meetings were held. He stated that this strategy is one designed by Gozo for Gozo and based on everything that makes Gozo a distinct region from Malta, with its distinct qualities, opportunities and characteristics.
