Empowering Gozo’s potential

tion of Gozo over the last few years is mainly due to the Labour Government’s firm belief that it had the potential to stand on its own two feet and become a major contributor to the national economy. Previous administrations had neither the insight nor the will to address our island’s particular needs and challenges. Labour did – and gave us Gozitans the necessary empowerment and opportunities that are key to the awakening of an industrious and assiduous people who are enthusiastically pushing the island into the 21st century.

This Government’s determination to prioritise Gozo’s socio-economic development through multi-million euro investment is bearing fruit. Proof of this is Gozo’s unprecedented economic growth through the feel-good factor in the island’s business community and the ever-increasing interest of foreign investors to establish themselves permanently in Gozo. This is all thanks to Labour’s view of valorising the island’s potential, fostering its cultural and traditional strengths and facilitating the quality of life of its residents.

Success breeds success. This government is delivering and has the principle of good governance close to its heart. Every citizen – men and women equally – has a voice in the decision-making of the country and can participate actively and constructively with full freedom of association and speech. Transparency through free flow of information and direct access to relevant information, together with responsiveness addressing the needs of all stake-holders, are the order of the day.

The rule of law

Despite the frantic attempts to depict the situation otherwise, no one can deny that this Government strives to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interests of various sectors of the community. We do our utmost to implement tailormade policies and procedures that ensure the smooth running of every sector and institution. This is done effectively and efficiently whilst making the best use of precious resources.

The successful strategic vision of this Government further strengthens the mandate given to it by the citizens in ever-increasing numbers. The principle of the rule of law is crucial to good governance: it is healthy and effective. Every person and all public and private institutions and entities – including the state itself – are accountable to the laws of the country and are equally enforced and independently adjudicated according to international human rights standards and norms.

The last few days have been solid proof that this principle is being adhered to diligently and effectively and it is of the utmost importance that the institutions involved are allowed to do their job without hindrance. Speculation, suppositions and frivolous comments can only harm the process, unless they are stealthily meant to be so.

Anyone who tries to place their own partisan goals above the country’s legal institutions, public interest and the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of democracy, threatens the very foundations of the rule of law. Constructive criticism is always welcome but criticism, in order to be effective and constructive, must be informed as opposed to being based on misunderstandings, inaccuracies – or worse still – malicious gossip. It is therefore important that we abide by our Prime Minister’s advice and appeal for prudence and calm. We can rest assured that whatever the outcome, the Government will abide by the Rule of Law and the Court’s final judgement – in sharp contrast with what others practice.

Barts Medical School

The opening of Barts Medical School last Thursday is proof of Gozo’s appeal to foreign investors and this Government’s commitment to place Gozo at the top of the national agenda. This state-of-the-art Anatomy Centre is part of the Malta Campus of Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Students on this campus will be reading for the Queen Mary University of London’s medical degree – a world-class educational programme for medical students who will be residing on Gozo for the duration of their course.

The investment by Steward Healthcare and Barts Medical School has placed Gozo with the best globally in medical education and healthcare services. As our Prime Minister said, through this investment and our long-term plans to encourage innovation, Gozo and

Malta will become a medical hub for foreign students from across the globe.

Indeed, Barts Medical School in Gozo is now hosting and training future generations of doctors, specialists and researchers in various fields of medicine. The knowledge and training they will be receiving here will be disseminated far and wide. Time spent with us during this five-year course will most certainly leave an indelible and positive mark on each and every student. This investment will create more jobs, encourage further innovation in the medical field and ensure the sustainability of the island for years to come.

The Gozo Ministry is determined to continue in its quest to enhance and diversify the local product in such a way that students living on our island have the best of both worlds: a tranquil, relaxed and comfortable environment in an oldworld setting with plenty to do and experience together with the technological and infrastructural connectivity that will keep them connected to the rest of the world.

Our business sector

Gozo’s economic growth is a reality that no-one can deny. We are now net contributors to the national economy and have out-paced Malta by two per cent. This reality has spurred more commercial and financial entities to set up shop on Gozo and has also led national agencies – for long years based solely on Malta – to open their offices on the island.

Despite the anxieties and risks caused by the island’s dimensions, the Gozitan entrepreneurial spirit has shone through. Hard work, sheer determination and business acumen are the order of the day and nothing will stop the Gozitan business community in its quest to excel, diversify and grow. It has contributed to the island’s unprecedented growth and Gozo is fast becoming a pioneer in advanced technology and AI.