Ministry for Gozo and Planning (MGP)
Municipality
Gozo is the second largest of the Maltese islands and is located 5.25 km northwest of the larger sister island of Malta. Its area is only 67km and according to the latest census the population is 39.287. The capital Victoria is found right in the middle of the island.
It is known as the “Island of the three hills” due to the numerous hills found around the island, and since it is less developed than Malta it is also greener. The island has economic and social specificities as well as challenges that arise from the combined effects of double insularity, environmental vulnerability, population density and limited resources.
Considered to be more fertile than Malta, Gozo depends heavily on agriculture, producing fruit, vegetables, grapes, and dairy products. Fishing is also important, and tourism is one of the most important economic activities. The island is linked to Malta by ferry.
Partner
The Ministry for Gozo and Planning (MGP) is responsible for all Gozo Affairs (excluding health services and education but including all infrastructural works related to the education sector), Wild Birds Regulation and Development Planning. The Ministry’s role is to secure and bring about the economic and social prosperity for Gozitan entities and its residents, taking into consideration the Island’s unique characteristics and distinctiveness while making the Maltese Islands a more pleasant and desirable place to live in.
The MGP has a vital role in influencing national policies and the channelling of national funding programmes towards the needs and aspirations of Gozo and its residents. Through the Planning Authority (PA), the Ministry also acts on behalf of the community to provide a balanced and sustainable environment, to provide a better quality of life for the community through transparent and fair planning services, today and tomorrow.
Throughout the years it has managed and successfully implemented an array of diverse major capital projects on the Island. The investments undertaken and those currently being affected in Gozo by the MGP, demonstrates its resilience, its fortitude and the resolve and determination of its workforce.
In order to bolster the sustainability and competitiveness of the economic operators established on the island of Gozo, the MGP constantly invests and administers sector specific schemes, promotional campaigns and cultural programmes with the aim of attracting investment, diversifying the island’s economy and creating new job opportunities. The Ministry recognizes the need of pursuing a sustainable development strategy for the island, encompassing economic, environmental, and society’s objectives.
The MGP is committed in its role as the major enabler in Gozo and it will continue in its endeavors to not only positively impact the social and economic well-being of the Gozitan population and its business community, but to further consolidate Gozo’s net positive impact on the nation. The Ministry upholds a steadfast commitment to several core values that guide its operations and decisions: Fairness and Transparency, Efficiency and Timeliness, Integrity and Sustainable Development. These values serve as the foundation upon which the Ministry operates, guiding its endeavors towards the betterment of Gozo and its residents while ensuring responsible and equitable planning and development for the Maltese Islands.
