Provisional estimates for 2005 indicate that Gozo's contribution to national Gross Domestic Product at market prices stands at 6.2 per cent, or Lm120.9 million, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

Gross Value Added (GVA) for Malta grew by 3.8 per cent in 2005, and that for Gozo went up by 3.7 per cent. Service activities contributed positively towards Gozo's GVA, while industry (including energy and construction) registered a decline. Employment in industry (including energy and construction) declined in both regions.

GVA at basic prices for Malta stood at Lm1,565.8 million in 2005, an increase of 19.3 per cent over the 1999 figure. In Gozo, GVA hit Lm103.4 million, up by 18.5 per cent over the six-year period.

The share of Gozo's contribution to the national agriculture and fishing sector amounted to 15.2 per cent in 2005, confirming the island's higher dependence on this primary sector compared to the mainland.

In industry, over a six-year period, activity peaked in Malta in 2000 due to the electronics sub-sector and then dropped to reach Lm357 million last year. In Gozo, GVA increased between 1999 and 2003, but then, contrary to Malta, dropped for two consecutive years. Gozo's share of industry was estimated at 5.3 per cent last year.

With regard to service activities, GVA is increasing in both regions, with Gozo's share of all services on the islands estimated at 6.1 per cent last year.

Overall, employment in both regions went up last year. However, employment figures in industry have been declining for four consecutive years, with Gozo registering the larger drop. On the other hand, employment in the primary sector and in the services activities went up.