Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540950
CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 However, it noted that the Budget did not address proposals for a comprehensive plan for the inter-island sea link, such as the replacement of the fourth ferry, the expansion of Mġarr port, and the development of an alterna- tive road. Meanwhile, the Gozo Business Chamber praised government measures such as revised income tax brackets that ease the bur- den on families and a balanced approach toward introducing occupational pensions and fam- ily leave schemes in the private sector. The Chamber said this strategy encourages dialogue and ensures that new policies do not place ex- cessive pressure on businesses or create inequalities with the pub- lic sector. The Chamber also highlighted the Budget's focus on innova- tion and entrepreneurship, par- ticularly the introduction of a Start-Up Framework targeting high-value sectors like med-tech, clean tech, and green tech. The Chamber called for this frame- work to be fully implemented in Gozo through better use of the Gozo Innovation Hub to diver- sify the island's economy. Other welcomed initiatives, it said, in- clude establishing the legal right to open a bank account, allowing 16- to 18-year-olds to become regulated entrepreneurs, and ex- tending benefits such as bereave- ment and miscarriage leave to self-employed workers. Further praise was given by the Chamber to measures directly impacting Gozo, including the revised Micro Invest scheme, which will cover up to 80% of wage increases for long-term em- ployees, and the new €85,000 ex- penditure threshold for Gozitan businesses. The Chamber also endorsed in- frastructure and transport plans, including the electrification of Gozo's bus fleet, the fast ferry route expansion, and investment in Mġarr Harbour and a pro- posed rural airfield. It urged that eco-contribution funds collected from tourism be reinvested in Gozo and welcomed new health and education investments, such as hospital upgrades and student allowances. Overall, the Cham- ber said the Budget lays a strong foundation for Gozo's develop- ment but called for greater re- gional autonomy to direct spend- ing and shape strategic projects for the island's long-term growth. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana delivers Budget 2026 Finance Minister Clyde Caru- ana delivered the budget for 2026 on Monday, outlining the government's financial and eco- nomic plans for the coming year. During his speech in parliament, Caruana praised the economy, saying that the country's financ- es are in good shape and that this Budget is a "socialist" one. "We have the biggest meas- ure ever given to Maltese and Gozitan people," he said, com- paring Malta's economy to that of many European countries and noting that Malta has re- mained the exception in terms of economic growth. However, he identified the country's low birth rate as the biggest long- term problem. The minister also promised increases in pensions and social spending, alongside more support for businesses. Measures related to Gozo In Gozo, the government will provide direct support for pri- vate sector wage increases and talent retention through the Mi- cro Invest scheme. Employers will receive 80% support on sal- ary increases for employees who have been with the same com- pany for four years or more, up to a maximum of €960 per year. Additionally, the Micro Invest cap in Gozo will rise to €80,000, offering greater incentives for local businesses to invest in their employees. Infrastructure and Transport Major investment in Gozo's infrastructure will see the recon- struction and modernization of several arterial roads, including those connecting Rabat to Mar- salforn, Nadur, and Qala. Over the next three years, 100 new residential roads will also be con- structed across the island. New pavements will link the Park and Ride at Ta' Xħajma (Xewkija) to central Rabat, improving accessi- bility and pedestrian safety. The Gozo public bus fleet is set for full electrification by 2026, mark- ing a significant step toward sus- tainable transport. Meanwhile, the Malta-Gozo fast ferry service will be doubled next year, intro- ducing new routes from Sliema and Buġibba. Further developments include the Gozo Rural Airfield project in Xewkija, which will feature a runway extension to support specialized tourism and generate new employment opportunities. A study will be commissioned to analyse traffic flow and parking issues in central Rabat, comple- mented by the construction of a 340-car underground parking fa- cility beneath Pjazza tal-Assedju in Rabat. Health The Gozo General Hospital will undergo significant upgrades, including the expansion of its Outpatients Department to en- hance efficiency and patient care. New facilities will include a hel- ipad, renal unit, coronary care upgrade, high-dependency unit, hyperbaric unit complex, and pharmacy. The Gozo HealthCare Campus Masterplan will be im- plemented to establish a mod- ern healthcare hub on the island, while the Gozo Health Centre will extend its operating hours to midnight, improving access to care. Culture and Heritage Cultural investment will focus on the development of the Gozo Museum in Rabat, highlighting the island's cultural and histori- cal identity. A Viticulture Muse- um in Qala will promote Gozo's agricultural and winemaking tra- ditions. Restoration works will be carried out at Santa Marta Cem- etery and the St Augustine Con- vent façade in Rabat, with further restoration of historic buildings through the Sustainable Urban Development Fund. Public gar- dens in Xewkija, Kerċem, and Qala will also be refurbished. Environment and Open Spaces A €20 million investment in Victoria Park, Rabat, will trans- form the parking area near the bus terminus into an urban park with underground parking, inte- grated with the football ground above. The government will con- tinue the improvement of open green spaces across Gozo, en- hancing sustainability and com- munity recreation. Education and Youth A total of €7 million will be invested in the renovation of Nadur Primary School, Middle School (Rabat), Rabat Primary, Ta' Kerċem Primary, and Żebbuġ Primary. Over 800 Gozitan stu- dents studying in Malta will re- ceive a €280 monthly allowance, representing a 70% increase in support. The old Rabat Primary will be converted into the Vajrin- ga Centre for Music and the Arts, offering inclusive opportunities for children and youths with dis- abilities. Additionally, services at Dar Emmaus for vulnerable indi- viduals will be strengthened. Agriculture Development of the Experi- mental Farm in Xewkija into a modern hub for laboratories and training, including accredited soil and produce testing services to assist farmers. Technology The police force will upgrade its IT systems with a €6 million project, improving efficiency and supporting intelligence-led policing. Renovations of stations in Raħal Ġdid, Mosta, Sliema, Qormi, and Rabat (Gozo), along with the K9 unit garage, will total €9 million. Fleet modernisation continues for Rapid Intervention 4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 31 OCTOBER 2025 NEWS Budget 2026: Key measures for Gozo Families and pensioners at the heart of the 2026 Budget, as government pledges stronger social support across the islands