Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543090
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 6 FEBRUARY 2026 NEWS CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The proposed World Herit- age property brings together a network of defensive structures dating back to the period of the Knights, including the fortifica- tions of Valletta, the harbour for- tifications on both the Marsamx- ett and Grand Harbour sides, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines, as well as Mdina and the Cittadella in Gozo. Vallet- ta is already inscribed on the UN- ESCO World Heritage List. According to the submission, the nomination makes a strong case for the Outstanding Univer- sal Value of Malta's fortifications as a unified defensive system of international significance. The dossier will now be evaluated by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, made up of 21 mem- ber states. If approved, the listed sites would be incorporated into an extended World Heritage prop- erty, following the precedent used for Malta's megalithic tem- ples, where sites such as Mnajdra, Ħaġar Qim, Tarxien and Skorba were later added to the original inscription of Ġgantija. The nomination is supported by extensive technical input from national heritage institutions, in- cluding the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Restora- tion and Preservation Directo- rate, Heritage Malta, the Planning Authority and the National Li- brary of Malta, alongside contri- butions from other stakeholders. A decision by UNESCO on the nomination is expected following the committee's evaluation pro- cess. The nomination brings together a network of Knights-era defensive structures The dossier will now be evaluated by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, made up of 21 member states (File photo) PRIME Minister Robert Abe- la has visited Gozo Graphics, a Gozo-based company specialising in large-format digital printing, signage manufacturing, and the supply of products and solutions for architectural applications. The company also provides 3D printing, machining and scanning services. During the visit, the prime min- ister met with company employ- ees and the management team behind Area 51, an industrial facility designed by Gozo Graph- ics to support Maltese start-ups operating in hardware-related sectors. The facility is intended to offer local start-ups opportunities comparable to those available to their European counterparts. Area 51 includes technological infrastructure for precision man- ufacturing and large-scale pro- totyping, including monolithic additive manufacturing, CNC ma- chinery and industrial laser sys- tems for metal processing, among other equipment. Through the fa- cility, the company also provides secure infrastructure to support the development and protection of intellectual property. Gozo Graphics has also launched a private innovation fund with an allocation of €100,000. The fund is aimed at support- ing innovative projects and pro- viding direct assistance to the private sector, with the objective of strengthening Malta's start-up ecosystem and enabling compa- nies to progress from the proto- typing stage to full-scale produc- tion. Speaking during the visit, Prime Minister Abela said that private sector initiatives of this nature contribute directly to a more di- versified, value-added economy, while creating new opportunities for young people and profession- als in Gozo. He stressed the im- portance of quality careers being generated locally and noted that initiatives which strengthen in- dustrial capacity can help Malta attract quality investment and re- tain local talent. The Prime Minister added that, through various public entities including Malta Enterprise, the government is providing support to ensure that companies such as Gozo Graphics can continue to grow and invest in innovative equipment and new areas of de- velopment. Abela also expressed satisfac- tion that the private sector is in- creasingly aligning itself with fu- ture-oriented industries. He noted that Vision Malta 2050, which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, will prioritise sec- tors that generate added value for the economy, while continuing to support industries considered strategic for the country. Robert Abela visits Gozo Graphics, backs start-up innovation The facility, known as Area 51, was inaugurated after the Prime Minister's visit to Gozo Graphics on 30 January