Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1523891
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 12 JULY 2024 Q & A test bed for new technologies to be tested on the island prior to these being deployed on a na- tional level. However, there needs to be a concerted effort and clear di- rection. In the digital sector Gozo is also well placed with the second fibre optic cable linking the two islands and the Gozo Innovation hub in Xewk- ija. However, there needs to be a clear regional direction and strategy of the niche sectors we want to attract. Maltese businesses report a lack of workforce as a major concern? How big of a prob- lem is this in Gozo? What does the Chamber recommend? As indicated in my earlier reply the lack of suitable employees to man their operations, is also the principal concern of Gozo- based enterprises as shown by the Gozo Business Sentiment. The problem has multiple di- mensions: competition with the public sector, competition in the private sector itself both locally and abroad. Moreover, it is not only about the numbers but also about the quality and the type of employees required. We are encountering problems both with the quantity, and the skill set of employees. There is no ready made solution, and it is a problem which is being en- countered at a national level. Thus it is important that there is an effort at a national level to ensure that we find the right solutions. These are not simply and will only yield the required results in the long-term. Local and foreign tourism have been crucial for Gozo. Should the island simply rely on tourism or can it develop other business sectors? How? The island is very much de- pendent on traditional sectors such as tourism, and construc- tion. As regards the latter one can see how when compared to the main island the regional gross value added is significant- ly larger, when compared to the same in the main island of Malta. While the Gozo Business Sentiment has shown that Gozo based enterprises are faring rel- atively well, it has also shown that Gozo based enterprises are not immune to what is happen- ing at an international level. This means that at this stage they are more exposed to ex- ternal shocks. This shows that we are now at a crucial stage where we need to make the re- quired changes. In the past dur- ing times of international crises Gozo based enterprises seemed resilient to external shocks. The Gozo Business Sentiment shows that this picture has changed. Consequently, the economy needs to be diversified into new sectors in order to ensure a sta- ble outlook for the future. As indicated, we already have some pointers which we need to continue to build upon. Talk of an underwater tunnel linking Gozo to Malta has fizzled out. Where does the Chamber stand on this issue? What are your perceived pros and cons on the building of the tunnel? The Chamber has always been in favour of an underwater sea tunnel between Malta and Gozo. This would ensure that Gozo becomes at par with the main island of Malta in terms of economic and social opportuni- ties. While the maritime links between the two islands have improved considerably (also with the introduction of the fast ferry service) as recent events have shown, the service is al- ways dependent on a number of external variables. The Chamber, though recog- nising that this solution seems to have been put on the back burner, it believes that it would really ensure the free move- ment of persons between the two islands. It would also pro- vide young people with the re- al option of choosing to live in Gozo, despite working in Malta. Time has shown that the exces- sive construction taking place on the island is not due to the permanent (underwater) link (which has not materialised) but because of erroneous plan- ning policies which have not safeguarded the environment around us. Underwater sea tunnels have been deployed abroad such as in the Faroe islands. To this end we believe that there mer- its to be an objective discussion or at least a concrete strategic decision of where want to go in the future. In this country our reasoning is very much of- ten underlined by short-term considerations often tied to the electoral cycle. This is why I also believe that Gozo's governance model needs to be rethought or at least dis- cussed to ensure that long- term strategic decisions are taken. Time and again history has shown that when decisions are taken at a regional level, ie. by Gozitans, this has benefited Gozo significantly. Insularity used to be a big thing for Gozo. Is this still an issue, or has it been overshad- owed by more pressing needs? Insularity remains a topmost concern for Gozo. Whether you are working in Malta, attend- ing a meeting, taking a flight, a student attending courses, or you need to go the hospital for an appointment, your concerns will always revolve around the ferry or fast ferry schedule. To this end any form of connectiv- ity, or increased connectivity, will never be enough. As I already highlighted strate- gic decisions need to be taken. If we are not going to opt for per- manent link between the two islands, there needs to a mas- sive investment in the maritime links between the two islands. We are now confronted with an ageing ferry fleet, which is now running at full capacity. In the case of any contingency there are no replacements. Moreover, the port infra- structure in Mġarr is too small to handle the increased traffic between the two islands and is the only access point for Gozo. Also, multiple uses in Mġarr means that considerations need to be made on its extension or on having an alternative port infrastructure which would handle a number of services. Another important issue is the electrification of the ports, es- pecially if we are to invest in more sustainable ferries in the future. Furthermore, we should al- so start thinking about a more extensive fast ferry schedule for the winter months. ERRATA CORRIGE In last week's issue of GozoToday, the Q & A was erroneously cited to be with Joseph C. Xuereb. It was in fact with JOHN XUEREB, Director of the Cultural Heritage Directorate safeguarded the environment around us' Many residents in Gozo frequently complain about the traffic caused by visiting Maltese and the excessive construction taking place on the island, mostly aimed at the collective rental accomodation market Gozo's governance model needs to be rethought or at least discussed to ensure that long-term strategic decisions are taken. Time and again history has shown that when decisions are taken at a regional level, ie. by Gozitans, this has benefited Gozo significantly.