Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1531564
6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 17 JANUARY 2025 OPINION WHAT are the aspirations that we set forth for Gozo for 2025? The aspirations are many and it is difficult to sum in a few words. Nonetheless I believe that the ultimate aim should be that we continue to move forward as a community, and that there is a transparent and honest dialogue of what we would like to achieve. One may think that in my role as CEO of the Gozo Busi- ness Chamber I am going to delve only on the economic aspect, nontheless as I have reiterated time and time again in various fora, the economy and society should go hand in hand. And if, at a certain point in time the aspirations of the economy are put in front of those of the community, inequalities and injustices will be created. The economy should be at the service of society and not vice versa. The recent debate about regionality and the spate of political discussion that it has generated have put the focus on political parties and not on the genuine needs of the Gozitan community. So my first aspi- ration for 2025 should be that a construc- tive dialogue about regionality takes place, one which puts the aspirations of Gozitans first, and not those of political parties. Pol- iticians should understand their important role in facilitating dialogue, but they should never engulf this dialogue. Their ultimate aim should be to seek to translate in prac- tical terms what the community would like to achieve giving ample space for all those who like to express their vision for Gozo to come forward and express themselves without fear of political retaliation. The aspect of regional autonomy is an in-depth discourse but one in which all Gozitans should participate, as this will bring a good dose of responsibility. Are we prepared? Yes. But we must look to the past and see the mistakes that we have made. The strong emphasis on industries such as construction and tourism have shown that we have not been guardians of what we have been entrusted with. This does not mean that these sectors should be discarded but that these should grow sustainably. In the area of construction we cannot continue with the same rhtyhm. Some areas have been completely transformed touching the very identity of us Gozitans, given the intrinsic bond of every Gozitan with the environment around us. And that brings me to the second aspi- ration for 2025. This is to see other sec- tors establishing themselves on the island. Gozo has shown that it can really provide a platform for certain services. In this sense the example of the Queen Mary University of London provides ample proof that cer- tain sectors given the right conditions can be established in Gozo. To this end I would like to see a true effort from all concerned to establish in Gozo certain sectors related to research, education, and digital services. Efforts such as the establishment of the Digital Innova- tion Hub in Xewkija and the second fibre optic link between the two islands, have been made. However, we have not seen these translate in companies establishing themselves in Gozo. Gozo's potential for research related to the green economy is significant. However, this has not been tapped. My third aspiration is to see concrete ef- forts being made for Gozo to achieve its climate neutrality objectives. While I be- lieve that the Gozo Regional Development Authority is doing sterling work in this re- spect, this cannot be a solo effort and the contribution of all the national entities in this area is needed. Nonetheless in fulling these aspira- tions we must not forget the basic needs of Gozitans. Accessibility is one of them. And in this case my fourth aspiration is that we adopt a strategic vision for the island in this respect. While significant leaps have been made with the introduc- tion of a regular fast ferry service, and the work done to establish a rural airfield on the island, we are yet to see a strategic vi- sion for the renewal of the Gozo Channel fleet. We must also see the establishment of alternative plans in case of emergencies. The fleet of vessels that is used between the two islands necessitates a long term vision related to its eventual replacement with a more energy efficient fleet. It should not be a dream that we aspire for a fleet to eventually use renewable forms of energy. However, this can never be achieved if this is not underlined by a long term vision. The satisfying of basic needs relates also to my last aspiration for Gozo. We have lately seen significant strides being made in the health sector in Gozo with various services being offered, avoiding Gozitans, requiring certain essential services such as an MRI, to travel to Malta. It is now im- portant that work for the new hospital for Gozo continues unabated. This is an es- sential need for the island as its population has grown significantly in the past years. This is why I believe that providing an au- tonomous regional status for Gozo will put Gozitans in a better position to articulate their priorities and to push them forward, providing them with a much needed voice at a national level. This does not mean that what was done in the past was wrong. On the contrary it has helped us to mature. However, the next step is now needed. Daniel Borg is CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber Daniel Borg My aspirations for 2025 Gozo has shown that it can really provide a platform for certain services. In this sense the example of the Queen Mary University of London provides ample proof that certain sectors - given the right conditions - can be established in Gozo.