The Gozo Business Chamber has published its document entitled “A Strategic Framework for Gozo’s Economic Resilience and Future Development”, setting out a series of strategic proposals for Gozo in view of the forthcoming General Election.
The document presents the Chamber’s position on the long-term development of Gozo and calls for a shift in how the island is perceived, planned and governed. Rather than treating Gozo simply as a peripheral island requiring isolated measures, the Chamber argues that the island should be recognised as a distinct island region with its own socio-economic realities, structural challenges and development needs.
At the centre of the document are three main commitments which the Chamber believes should guide the next legislature: stronger regional governance for Gozo, an integrated accessibility and logistics framework, and a structured economic diversification strategy based on innovation, enterprise and start-ups.
A stronger regional voice for Gozo
The Chamber is calling for a mature national discussion on Gozo’s governance model, including clear steps towards greater regional autonomy. This does not imply isolation or separation, but rather a more effective framework through which Gozo can identify its own priorities and shape policy responses more directly.
The Chamber believes that decisions affecting Gozo should be taken as close as possible to the communities and businesses impacted by them. This would contribute to a more responsive, accountable and efficient system of decision-making, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, accessibility, economic diversification, skills, investment and land use.
An integrated approach to accessibility and logistics
The document also places strong emphasis on accessibility, describing it as a structural issue which affects economic resilience, business continuity, labour mobility, tourism flows, freight reliability, emergency preparedness, and quality of life.
In this regard, the Chamber is proposing the preparation and implementation of a Gozo Integrated Accessibility and Logistics Masterplan. This should bring together key interventions, including a dedicated logistics hub near the planned Gozo Rural Airfield, the extension and future-proofing of Mġarr Harbour, an alternative fast ferry landing facility at Marsalforn, and a second alternative road link to Mġarr Harbour, preferably through a tunnel.
The Chamber is also reiterating that the permanent link between Malta and Gozo should remain safeguarded as a long-term strategic option. Land already identified or committed for this purpose should not be released for incompatible development, so that the country retains its future strategic options.
Future-proofing Mġarr Harbour
The Chamber maintains that Mġarr Harbour must remain Gozo’s principal maritime gateway, but its role needs to be clarified and future proofed. The port requires strong infrastructural and strategic investment to meet the island’s present and future needs.
The proposed upgrades include additional operational land and marshalling capacity, improved segregation of passenger and freight flows, better facilities for commercial vehicles, cleaner ferry infrastructure, improved public transport integration and stronger resilience during periods of peak demand or disruption.
The Chamber also believes that Gozo requires more than one maritime access point. An alternative fast ferry landing facility at Marsalforn, potentially integrated with the planned breakwater, would help diversify access and reduce pressure on the existing Mġarr corridor.
Building an innovation and start-up ecosystem
Economic diversification is another central theme of the Chamber’s proposals. The document argues that Gozo’s long-term development cannot depend only on increasing activity within existing sectors. Instead, Gozo needs a different type of economic growth: one that is higher value-added, less dependent on land consumption, more attractive to younger workers, more export-oriented and aligned with Malta’s long-term strategic direction.
To support this objective, the Chamber is calling for Gozo to be formally designated as an Island Hub for Innovation, Investment and Start-Ups. This designation should be backed by targeted incentives, faster and simpler processes for eligible investment projects, dedicated start-up support, and a focus on strategic sectors where Gozo can realistically build new economic niches.
Potential priority areas identified include digital services, AI-enabled business solutions, cybersecurity, digital media, green technologies, medtech and health-related innovation, unmanned aerial vehicle applications, specialised aviation-related services, applied education, executive training and selected research-linked activities.
Repositioning the Gozo Innovation Hub
The Chamber is also proposing that the Gozo Innovation Hub should become the central investment platform for Gozo’s diversification strategy. Rather than functioning simply as a physical premises, the Hub should serve as the platform through which Gozo’s innovation, investment and start-up ecosystem is delivered.
The Chamber is calling for the Hub to be repositioned as a home for start-ups and scale-ups, a landing point for targeted investors, a workspace for digital, green and knowledge-based businesses, and a platform for collaboration between Government, business, education providers and entrepreneurs.
The Chamber is also proposing a governance framework for the Hub involving both the public and private sectors, managed through a five-year business plan. Early-stage firms and student-led ventures should also be supported through subsidised or zero-cost access during the initial start-up phase, shared workspaces, hot-desking, short-term project space, flexible lease arrangements, and phased pricing as companies grow.
Supporting enterprise, skills and young entrepreneurs
The document also calls for the creation of an integrated Gozo Enterprise One-Stop Hub at the Gozo Innovation Hub. This would bring together services related to company formation, investment incentives, business grants, regulatory requirements, digital and innovation support, access to finance, internationalisation, start-up support, and liaison with national authorities.
The Chamber believes that Gozo-based offices should, where possible, be empowered to process, recommend, or approve relevant schemes directly, thereby bringing decision-making closer to Gozo-based businesses.
Education and skills development are also highlighted as essential elements of Gozo’s diversification strategy. The Chamber believes that entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial literacy should be introduced from an early stage, while stronger links should be created between education providers, industry and the Gozo Innovation Hub.
In this context, the Chamber is also proposing that Youth4Entrepreneurship Gozo should evolve from a standalone competition into a structured pre-incubation and early-stage development pipeline. This would enable promising ideas to receive mentoring, technical guidance, seed support, and access to the Gozo Innovation Hub after the competition stage.
Ensuring existing businesses remain competitive
While the document places strong emphasis on innovation and diversification, the Chamber stresses that this should not be interpreted as a shift away from existing businesses. Existing commercial operators must remain viable and competitive if Gozo is to build a broader and more resilient economy.
The Chamber is therefore reiterating its proposal for a transport assistance scheme for wholesalers, importers, and retailers, similar to the existing Gozo Transport Grant for the manufacturing sector. Such a scheme would help address the structural transport-cost disadvantages faced by Gozo-based businesses when compared to Malta-based competitors.
A long-term framework for Gozo’s development
The Chamber emphasises that the proposals contained in the document are not standalone measures, but interconnected elements of one development model. Investment in accessibility and logistics is necessary to strengthen Gozo’s resilience and support the day-to-day operations of businesses and workers. At the same time, economic diversification is necessary to create new opportunities, retain young talent, attract higher-value investment, and reduce overdependence on a narrow economic base.
Through this document, the Gozo Business Chamber is urging all political parties and policymakers to place Gozo’s long-term sustainable development at the centre of the national debate.
The Chamber believes that Gozo requires a clear vision, a stronger regional voice, a credible implementation plan, and a sustained commitment to ensure that its economic future is built on resilience, diversification, accessibility, innovation, quality of life and a governance model that reflects Gozo’s distinct island reality.
The full document may be accessed here.
