Gozo businesses appeal for the 'political will'

Gozitan businesses want a future government with the political will to implement proposals   pledged in the electoral manifesto.

Speaking with Labour leader Joseph Muscat at the Calypso Hotel in Marsalforn, Gozo Business Chamber president Michael Grech said that meetings between the chamber, the government and the opposition should be held regularly.

"Issues do not arise only once every five years and we cannot afford to hold meetings just because an election is near," Grech said.

Grech said that the business community on the sister island was committed to see businesses grow and prosper. "Some have invested their life savings in their work... We want a future government to commit itself, to have the political will to see that things are implemented," he said.

But Grech also called for commitment in respecting timeframes. "It's easy to pledge something, but it's difficult to keep with the agreed timeframe," he said.

Grech urged a Labour government to look at Gozo "through a different lense".

"The crux lies in giving businesses the space and opportunity to generate jobs," he said, to which Muscat said that his government would be committed to invest in education and medicine studies and the development of a cruise passenger terminal.

Joseph Muscat said he understood the connectivity challenges the small island faced, but an airstrip was not going to be a priority.

The Labour leader reassured that if elected, the appointment of Louis Grech as deputy prime minister with the responsible of overseeing that the manifesto is implemented, will assure that the proposals are carried out within budget and on time.

Also present for the meeting were Labour candidates Franco Mercieca and Joe Cordina and Labour MP Justyne Caruana.

Muscat is currently touring Arkadia before heading to Xaghra where he will hold a political activity.