The Report Company: Eco-Gozo is a project to promote Gozo as a wholesome natural and cultural environment, with more sustainable jobs, a better quality of life and a society that is kinder to the environment. How do you see Gozo developing economically, socially and environmentally?

Giovanna Debono: When we speak about ‘eco-Gozo’ we mean ‘a better Gozo’ and ‘a better Gozo in all aspects’. The social aspect, identity, culture and the environment. The two words that explain all this are ‘sustainable development’.

We have a strategy divided into three periods: short term, medium term and long term. In the short term, we have about 80 measures to implement, which cover the period from 2010 to 2012. For this period the Maltese government has allocated €25 million for these particular eco projects, which is over and above the Ministry for Gozo’s budget, as well as any funds we get from the European Union. So this is a very exciting period because for the first time ever we have this third budget.

In terms of the environment, we have kicked off trying to make the best use of what we already have on the island. In recent years, farmers have stopped using wind pumps and turned to electric, so we are giving financial assistance to them to restore these wind pumps as alternative energy. This is the eco-Gozo aim – to enhance existing resources, but in line with our eco-Gozo vision.

We also undertook an energy audit for all public places and aim to provide incentives for installing energy saving systems. Water is also a very important issues on the island. Nowadays, the only place in Gozo where water goes into the sea handles treated water, making for cleaner coasts. We are also investing so that commercial entities and farmers make use of treated water.

Reforms are also being undertaken in public transport. The good thing about this in Gozo is not only that we will have state-of-the-art buses, but, for the first time ever, we’ll have a good public transport service. It’s now a question of culture change, because everyone has a car.

TRC: You have a plan to promote tourism to the island and yachting especially. Who are you trying to attract?

GD: We don’t intend to have a cruise berthing facility because it would take up half the island of Gozo. So we set up a buoy in the centre of Xlendi and that is going to attract more cruise liners. In fact, for the year 2012/2013, we already have about 30 bookings. Cruise liners can also berth in between Gozo and the island of Comino and then we ferry in the people. So if cruise liners want to come to Gozo, they have two places. We’ve done a lot of marketing for Gozo as a niche for cruise liners and we’re having a lot of response.

With regards to yacht marinas, we privatised the yacht marina area in Gozo. Privatisation is the best solution because more quality yachts are coming to Gozo. We are improving the whole area where the yachts are based so that you have everything in place. We started this new funded project worth about €7 million about a month ago and it will last around fifteen months.

TRC: You have several projects, co-financed with the EU, one of which is a training institute for the tourism industry in Gozo.

GD: Tourism is a very strong pillar of our economy. We have invested a lot in the product and the service. We rebuilt the Institute for Tourism Studies, so that students can further their studies. The building also has a wing like a hotel so students not only learn how to cook or work on the front desk but they also learn how to keep the rooms in the best shape. It’s good for hands-on experience.

We try to market Gozo as a destination. We are part of Malta, but at the same time Gozo is a destination in itself. We have to go for quality tourism, because quantity tourism is not good – the island is small and we have limited resources. We established a master plan to see what has been done and what we need to do.

TRC: The government has proposed the creation of an eco-friendly business park to attract financial services, ICT and technology companies. What other incentives does Gozo offer to these sectors?

GD: We have to target particular investors, so we would like to see foreign investors interested in ICT and telework. We are working very hard on this because we believe the people of Gozo can stand up to it and there has been major improvement in students furthering tertiary education related to ICT, financial aspects and services. Before, they used to go into education, teaching, the police; now, they are going for financial services, management and ICT.

If a foreign or Maltese company would like to invest in Gozo, we give them red carpet treatment. For example, if foreign companies invest in Malta they will be treated properly, but if they invest in Gozo, they will have positive discrimination. For example the rent of a factory will be considerably less than in Malta. We also give employability special treatment. With tourism, every company has to pay a trade license, but if you have a trade license in Gozo, you have a reduction of 25%.

Due to the double insularity problem, we have to create schemes and other aids that make up for the extra burden when you invest in Gozo. The hassle comes from the travelling; if the weather is bad the ships won’t cross. It’s a rare occurrence, but it’s still time consuming. To make up for all this we try to give incentives and discriminate positively.