Gonzi explains tax cuts, incentives for Gozitan businesses
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning that the party was proud of its record in Gozo but was also proud of its plans for the future.
"Everything that was done in Gozo was done by the PN," he said to applause at a rally in Nadur.
For the future, he said, the PN wanted to see sustainable economic development that ensured that Gozo retained its characteristics. Priority was to create jobs in Gozo for the Gozitans.
The future for Gozo were based on a tourism plan catering for domestic and overseas visitors, incentives for job-creating businesses and the setting up of a Gozo Regional Council.
He said more cruise ships would visit Gozo and there would be a fast, efficient ferry service between Grand Harbour and Gozo, catering also for cruise passengers who disembarked in Valletta Waterfront.
A future PN government would offer new schemes to encourage incentive travel in Gozo. Five star hotels would be given financial assistance and an easier Mepa process to help them invest in new facilities.
Four and three-star hotels as well as farmhouses used for accommodation would also benefit from financial incentives for upgrading.
Assistance would also be given for cultural events, notably Carnival and opera productions.
New measures would also be introduced for cheaper ferry crossings for those who stayed in Gozo overnight and for groups.
New businesses who employed a minimum of two Gozitans would have their income up to €200,000 exempt from income tax for two years.
He said the new Regional Council would include all MPs, councils and representatives of NGOs. The council would work closely with the Ministry for Gozo on economic development.
Studies would also continue on the feasibility of having a tunnel between Malta and Gozo. A call for tender for consultants to carry out studies on connections between the two islands had been issued, and if the tunnel proved feasible, the PN government would go for it, since it would lead to more job creation in Gozo.
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John L Galea
Jan 14th, 10:15
Promising heaven of tax cuts to everyone....what about the economy? Then with all these tax cuts will you tax us on something else to compensate? Irresponsible GonziPN.
Ramona Frendo
Jan 14th, 08:30
We have heard about tax incentives before. What guarantee do we have that PM Gonzi will carry out his promises this time? To Gozitans and Maltese voters alike.
N Callus
Jan 13th, 21:16
When will the tunnel be ready under GonziPN? The terminals took ages. And this was proposed by Franco Mecieca if I remember well. Don t they have anything new to propose? Time up Gonzi. Nothing lasts forever except maybe a regime?
M. Cachia
Jan 13th, 20:41
If and judging by the same PN yardstick, a simple power plant cannot be completed in 2 years time then let alone a tunnel. 50 years............... a quick guess! Gonzi willl not be around then!
Joe Busuttil
Jan 13th, 20:14
After 25 years of PN govt. the poor Gozitans don't even have a proper hospital. And you want them to believe all that you are promising them!
Charles Massa
Jan 13th, 19:57
Mela Gonzi abbandula lil Ghawdxin.....issa hafna wedghi
M. Spiteri
Jan 13th, 19:19
joe M. borg, Mary Camenzuli, Oliver Grech. SAME PN PEOPLE, COMMENTING ON ALL ARTICLES WITH THE SAME POOR ARGUMENTS.
2 more months and bye bye :):)
Pierre Fenech
Jan 13th, 18:37
My Gozitan friends tell me all the time that Gozo is booming! They thank you Gonz.
M. Grech
Jan 13th, 18:29
My family have always supported the PN. I followed that tradition up to 2008 since I never saw a good alternative in the MLP of those days. I am very disappointed about this PN government. I am now determined to vote PL for the first time no matter what my family think or say! My vote is mine and this time I will definitely try JM and his enthusiasm, at least for the next 5 years! Then we will see
George Satariano
Jan 13th, 18:23
Il-kummenti sistematici minn naha tal-partit laburista huma xi haga inkredibbli.
Il-poplu u dawk in-nazzjonalisti qed jindunaw b'din is-sistema qarrieqa li qieghda ssir sfaccatament kontra l-intelligenza tan-nies.
Ikun aktar ghaqli li n-nies jindunaw issa milli wara ghax ikun tard wisq. Kummenti medjokri u li jdawru l-verita minn naha ghall-ohra biex igibu kollox favur il-partit laburista.
Peppi Borg
Jan 13th, 17:45
How much are the studies going to cost? When are they to commence? One hope that after the election Gonzipn would not tell us that tax cuts are not possible due to unforeseen bad weather!
Peppi Borg
Jan 13th, 17:44
A panic stricken speech. It seems that Gonzi wants to put the tunnel as a carrot for the Gozitans. When are the tax cuts going to take place; at the beginning or at the end of the legislatutre? Priority is to create jobs in Gozo for the Gozitans- Cut and paste from the PL's electoral manifest. Can Gonzipn be original for once?
V Mercieca
Jan 13th, 17:39
“Tax cuts”! Now where did I hear that before on the eve of another election and nothing materialised in the whole legislature that followed?
R Abela
Jan 13th, 17:34
Now let me see...when was the last we heared about tax cuts?mmmmmm 2008 ?
j brincat
Jan 13th, 17:21
But the last budget ie the one that saw GonziPN tumbling down as he lost a vote of confidence is dead silent about all these promises!
Were these hastily thought of just to impress the Gozitans?
jb
j brincat
Jan 13th, 17:19
PN stunned and dazed.
In deep Panic Mode!
jb
Nazzareno Cortis
Jan 13th, 17:16
Promises from PN Gonzi before elections means a big ZERO!!! and UNBELEIVEABLE!!!!
Everybody remembers the promises of keeping their jobs---to all kinds of workers before last elections-----results -----the opposite ---workers had their place of work closed!!!!
The strategy of promises before elections just---"won't work "!!!
PN lost credibility!!!
Maria Mercieca
Jan 13th, 17:01
So now you are studying the feasibility of the permanent link? Why not before spending millions on building the new terminals at Cirkewwa & Imgarr? So technically, they were money down the drain!!
Also, now you are talking about job creation in Gozo? After 25 years in government, we ought to have seen positive results from you. Alas, all we've seen are negative ones for Gozo!
Joshua De Bono
Jan 13th, 16:48
Kiku l-Labour ta' Muscat ma vvotax kontra l-budget kiku t-tnaqqis tal-income tax diga bdiet.
Nenu Cassar
Jan 13th, 16:15
Sinjuri apologisti tal-PL, ghall-informazzjoni taghkom l-Ghawdxin diga qeghdin igawdu minn rohs fil-licenzji tan-negozju, rata ta' 25c kull unit tal-pv panels, allowance ta' aktar minn Euro 130 fix-xahar ghall-istudenti ghawdxin, barra minn offerti biex jinvestu fin-negozji etc. u dan kollu grazzi ghall-PN.
JL Deguara
Jan 13th, 18:22
....u minhabba f'hekk in-negozju f'Ghawdex veru sejjer tajjeb, u z-zghazagh qed isibu hafna hafna xoghol go Ghawdex stess. Hux veru?
Emanuel. Vella.
Jan 13th, 16:10
@ vincent azzopardi,to-day 11.53,' imma il-verita maghrufa minn kulhadd hi li malta tghana ilkoll fejn pajjizzi ohra sejra tajjeb hu dak li importanti '. Mela fl-2008 LG GHAX MA NAQQAS IT-TAXXA MINN 35% GHAL 25% li kien wieghed fuq il-programm DISSET,tista jekk jghogbok tispjega din il-haga jew ma ghandek l-ebda risposta ghalija jekk jghogbok, GRAZZI.
James Tyrrell
Jan 13th, 15:49
I find it amazing that Gonzi has suddenly recognised the fact at last that Gozo is part of Malta and is promising them the earth. If you love the little island so much why didn't you do these thing in the last 4 years or 8 years? The truth is you don't give a damn about the Gozitan people, all you care about is yourself, your pocket and votes.
Lawrence Fenech
Jan 13th, 15:13
Simon ghax ma tmurx minn fejn gejt ghax l'anqas lilek innifsek mint qed tikkonvinci.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 14:51
HaHaHaHa... Gonzi speaking about tax cuts. He is the same person who promised us to reduce our tax from 35% to 25% in 2008!!! A promise which never materialized!!! Anzi ma jafx jistħi!!!
C. Borg
Jan 13th, 15:44
Dak li ghandu tajjeb ta.... Ghax ma joqghodx jisthi :-)
Nicholas Magro
Jan 13th, 16:42
But the 500 Euros salary INCREASE were taken for more than 4 years amounting to millions of EUROS from the peoples' pockets. !!!!!!!!!!!
Joe M Borg
Jan 13th, 16:45
Joseph. Yes, Gonzi HAS THE CREDIBILITY when speaking about tax cuts. Do you recall a certain Dr Gimmicks who removed VAT, introduced CET and 33 taxes? We all do! This government REMOVED or REDUCED 25 of those PL taxes. AND for the past 4 years he has been re-agjusting the tax ceiling. This year was the FIRST year to start cutting the 35%, but LABOUR, YOUR LABOUR voted against! Shame!
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 14:50
As if I'm going to believe you? Why don't you speak to the ex-GO, AirMalta and Public Transport workers? Why don't you speak to the 7,000 virtual employees at Smart-GhostCity? When and if they believe you, then I'll believe you... but it's highly unlikely.
Salvu Sciberras
Jan 13th, 14:21
Has Labour done anything worthwhile for Gozo? The PN can boast of a new hospital, Mgarr Harbour both of which Labour opposed, one terminal at Cirkewwa and one in Mgarr, a Ministry which Labour downgraded to a parliamentary secretariat, up to standard roads from San Lawrenz to Mgarr, and numerous other projects. Labour can boast of one thing - tranfers of Gozitan workers to Malta and vice-versa.
M. Mercieca
Jan 13th, 17:04
come again about the 'new' hospital? you're joking, right?
J Cutajar
Jan 13th, 14:20
Issa qieghed twieghed tax cut ghall- Ghawdex ghax gejjea l-Elezzjoni, kont fil-poter ghax ma wettaqtiex, kellek kemm trid cans. Insult lejn l-intelligenza tal-GHAWDXIN.
Clifton Aquilina
Jan 13th, 13:45
I lost count how many times i heard this.
John Farrugia
Jan 13th, 13:39
We can't even get Micro Guarantee Loans in Malta so much red tape , for new start up companies,
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Jan 13th, 13:30
".....the setting up of Gozo Regional Council." Labour mentioned and talked about such council about three years ago.
Cruise passengers for Gozo. Another political promise from the PN years ago that paid little for Gozo.
Also the PN has been promising (or rather cheating politically) to the Gozitans a permanent link between the two islands since the 1971 electoral campaign !!!!!!!
Gordon Grech
Jan 13th, 13:29
Nemnek u biex nurik li nemnek, ha nivvultalek! (GIMMICK)
Oliver Grech
Jan 13th, 13:29
Very good proposals for Gozo. Well done.
For the moaners below...you all know who lied in the Vat issue in 1996 and also the EU....Joseph muscat.
j brincat
Jan 13th, 13:03
Is Simon conveniently forgetting that the PN has been in government for the last quarter of a century?
So what kept the PN from delivering what Gonzi (or it Simon?) from delivering what he is promising today?
They think that they can fool the people ALL the time.
But this time round they WON'T succeed!
jb
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 12:47
Gonzi dejjem jivvinta, iħawwad u jqarraq. Ma nistax nafda lil Gonzi u lil sħabu.
Giocchino Attard
Jan 13th, 12:18
Where were all the Gozitans this morning? Did you tell them that you were coming to Nadur very few showed up.
*Joseph Brincat
Jan 13th, 12:12
Gonzi explains tax cuts, incentives for Gozitan businesses ???
HA HA HI >> BE CAREFUL WHAT HE SAYS HA HAVE NO CREDIBILITY > HE > LIES > A > LOT
Like the Italians says >> ATTENTI AL LOPO >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxI3S5EueSw
Mr Joe Micallef
Jan 13th, 13:24
Hi cut and paste, what do you make of the statement "the EU is Malta's cross of the millennium"?
Nenu Cassar
Jan 13th, 16:21
Joseph Brincat jekk tista' semmili tlett affarijiet li ghamel gvern tal-labour f'Ghawdex meta kien fil-gvern bejn 1971 u 1987? Ibqa' cert li ma tistax.
Joe M Borg
Jan 13th, 16:48
Some people show that they are always daydreaming! Yes, Gonzi has a lot of credibility regarding tax cuts. In 22 months, Sant introduced CET and 33 taxes, but PN reduced or removed 25 of them. WHO is credible about tax cuts. Oh, yes, you are probably one of the Onetv overdosed! Say the truth, and be credible!
Hildbrand Bianco
Jan 13th, 12:09
Jiddispacini nghidlek Dr. Gonzi, int u shabek hadtu ZIEDA ta 500 euro zieda fil gimgha. Ta hekk biss ghandi hafna ghalxiex ma nergax nafdakhom. Grazzi.
Kevin Marks
Jan 13th, 12:41
And dont forget that the increase is just postponed not removed be carefull!!
Francis Sammut
Jan 13th, 16:24
And so say many of us!
Joe M Borg
Jan 13th, 16:50
Mela afda lil Cyprus Joe, li qallek LE ghall-EU, imma HU mar jahdem hemm. Qallek LE ghal-VAT. Qallek LE ghall-Euro. Riedna nikkupjaw lil Cipru (imn'Alla Gonzi iktar intelligenti minnu, ghax kieku Malta tallaba) Go ahead...afda lil Joe. Nawguralek.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 12:04
But... the main and only question which I must ask is very simple: How can we trust GonziPN? He was defeated by HIS OWN members in parliament!! and then he is expecting ME to trust him? Trust my foot! GOnzi, GO away.
j brincat
Jan 13th, 12:04
Didn't he promise us all in 2008 tax cuts - 35% to 25% and a revision of all tax bands?
And this had to come about from the first budget following the 2008 election ie 1/1/2009.
We all know what happened to this solemn promise made to lure the middle class.
He got their vote and then left them in the lurch.
So how can the Gozitans believe him this time round?
jb
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 12:03
If the tunnel that Gonzi wants to offer us is modelled on his St.Venera tunnel which has been leaking since its conception, then, THANK YOU GonziPN, WE DON'T WANT YOUR TUNNEL. Your track record in offering us quality and reliable projects AND within trimeframes is simply HOPELESS
Edgar Gambin
Jan 13th, 17:28
For time frames and costings we can ask Joseph. A powerstation in 24 months and a tunnel in ..........
Victor Borg
Jan 13th, 12:01
The frenzy of promises reminds me of KMB before the 1987 election!
Nicholas Magro
Jan 13th, 11:49
GonziPN want to offer Goizitans a tunnel now, so that Gozitans can find a job. This is what Gonzi PN can offer - to work underground in this 'GIMMICK' tunnel. Not like the BLUE EYE BOYS. !!!!
Max Portelli
Jan 13th, 11:57
Nice comment ;) really shows that you didn't read the article properly or couldn't understand it. I think we both know who is promising 'gimmicks'.
Neil Bugeja
Jan 13th, 12:05
I hope that you know the tunnel is going to be so that the commute between Malta and Gozo is greatly reduced right? It's not actually so that people stay down there....maybe someone needs to explain the definition of a "tunnel" to you
Mr Stephen Borg
Jan 13th, 13:20
@Max Portelli
Of course, we do know who is offering just gimmicks. Now they will promise heaven on earth and when elected they would surely reinstate the 500Euros payrise and they will continue to ponder that Arriva is good, that now we have a new parliment and a roofless theather and so on an so forth. Whilst more citizens are falling below the poverty line.
adrian dimech
Jan 13th, 16:41
ghal ghawdxin ahjar Tunnel jew Bridge milli a useless Power station, l-ebda business ma jithajr joqghod tila u nizel ghawdex bil- facilita tal- bahar biss.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 11:47
Tista tispjega u tigdeb kemm trid għax minix se nafdak. Inti dħaqt bina u min iwiegħed u ma jwettaqx, ma tistax tafdaħ qalilna Eddie Fenech Adami. U jien lil Eddie Fenech Adami nafda u mhux lilek, GonziPN.
vincent azzopardi
Jan 13th, 11:53
afda lill min trid ghax dik hijja id demokrazijja li hadem ghalija il partit nazjonalista. imma il verita maghrufa minn kulhadd laburist u nazjonalist li malta tghana ilkoll fejn pajjizi ohra sejra tajjeb u dak limportanti
jm busuttil
Jan 13th, 11:59
Come on Joseph this is an electoral programme and promises that even your party does and not yet in governament.
Labour is promising everything to everyone and at the same time making foul mistakes in their ( PL) costings and and the same time showing one and all that the PL will be breaking all the laws in the process.
Joseph Micallef
Jan 13th, 12:46
@ Vincent Azzopardi, JM Busuttil,
I respect your comments and I partly agree with Vincent i.e. the PN brought democracy - agree. Even with you JM Busuttill when you said that it's time of promises - you are right. But honestly and truly, on one side we have Dr.Muscat who is news and who needs time prove himself and on the other side we have Dr.Gonzi who lied a lot to me. I can't trust Gonzi
Joe M Borg
Jan 13th, 16:57
Tista tafda lil min trid, anki lil Cyprus Joe, jekk trid. Bhalma konna afdajna lil Sant, ghax genninna bil-proposta ta-VAT. Il-PN kien qallu elf darba li jekk jghamel hekk, ikisser lil Malta, imma hu, akkost ta' kollox, ghamel fattieh. Basta tghaddi tieghu. Issa ghandna iehor li jrid tghaddi tieghu akkost ta' kollox. Minkejja pipeline, IRID bilfors igib vapuri, u jibni zewg bombi f'M'xlokk.
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