If the future of our island depends on its young generation, then one might be tempted to conclude there might not be a future for Gozo. The fact that the island is being drained of young blood is becoming amply clear with the passing of each day and this will inevitably lead to the reality that the island’s electorate in the next general elections will be constituted to a large extent by middle-aged and elderly voters.
This might explain why most politicians are eagerly focusing their attention on this category while the remaining few who are concerned about Gozo’s future well-being have so far either been ignored or they themselves have simply given up.
Notwithstanding the fact that many within the political and administrative echelons advocate a pro-business approach, the reality is a far cry from their words.
The majority fail to promote local pro-entrepreneurship ideas. It seems that foreign investors, even those with questionable backgrounds, as well as already established local businesses, are very often facilitated in their dealings and business propositions, even if these generally lead to more hefty profits rather than an increase in employment opportunities.
Combining a pro-business outlook together with taxing and challenging regulations for businesses will certainly have a negative effect on young entrepreneurs. Little is being done to encourage young people to become entrepreneurs.
Besides lacking experience and resources, those who are trying to start a new commercial activity have to deal with the arduous task of compliance with a whole set of rules and regulations besides facing the harsh competitive environment posed by already well-established businesses.
Opting to start a business within this scenario in Gozo is close to impossible. Thus the adoption of a free market system, as opposed to more red tape and bureaucracy, would eventually prove to be more appropriate to facilitate the establishment of new businesses and the creation of much-needed new job opportunities.
Ease of entrance for new businesses will not only serve to introduce new ideas but will also foster competition, offering the consumer a wider choice of products and services. Therefore, this would be a most valid and sustainable option for long-term job creation on Gozo as well as Malta.
Given our territorial limitations, natural monopolies are easily created and ignoring or deflecting promising new ventures will surely not eliminate this concern.
Little is being done to encourage young people to become entrepreneurs
Imposing so many rules and regulations on prospective entrepreneurs is an obstacle even at national level, let alone for Gozo, an economy devoid of natural resources and depending on the seasonal tourism sector. Gozo will never prosper unless young Gozitans are allowed to play on a level playing field.
The island has to reform itself possibly by introducing a novel and simplified system of governance, one that will reflect the rule of law and create young entrepreneurs besides attracting foreign investors.
This is backed by a holistic vision to build upon and strengthen the cooperation between the various government ministries and stakeholders on both islands, which will surely yield positive results as evidenced from what happened in the decade following 1987. Bureaucracy and government intervention is not a ‘modern day problem’. Some 600 years ago the Gozitans faced a similar predicament against the Aragonese ruler who bestowed upon the Maltese a hefty tax burden and it were the Gozitans who started the revolution that brought about the Magna Carta Libertatis, a law which not only benefited themselves but also their descendants in perpetuity.
While Malta is thriving thanks to the new companies hailing from the financial and gaming sectors, Gozo still lacks the necessary infrastructure to enjoy the benefits of these new industries such as the fibre optic, fast boat service and an airport, just to mention a few.
For Gozo to profit from such new ventures, Malta needs to liberalise its laws and lift the controls that make it hard for the country to compete on the international market.
Malta should follow the example of countries like Hong Kong and Singapore, where unnecessary restrictions have been eliminated in favour of a free and open market.
Recently published economic freedom indexes show that Malta stands at the bottom of the list, trailing behind the majority of EU states. Where personal freedoms complement the free market, a country is bound to prosper.
With personal freedoms I do not refer to the populist ‘free for all’ and ‘I do what I want’ approaches.
Malta can offer personal freedoms, which will complement the free market.
As a Gozitan, I am more than convinced that the will of the Gozitans to work, achieve and prosper is considerable. Given the right incentives and opportunities, we will succeed. As a new candidate contesting the next general elections for Gozo, I will strive to achieve these goals to establish a basis for the producing class of young Gozitan entrepreneurs, so they are also given the chance to test the validity of their ideas. In simple words, we should aim to ensure a future for the next generation in Gozo.
Can we say that there realistically exists a road map for Gozo in 2015? Or rather, has Gozo been left out of any map that will lead it to somewhere better than where it stands today?
Ryan Mercieca is a PN general election candidate.