The double insularity experienced by Gozitan businesses should be addressed and these should be provided with additional flexibility, particularly when it came to EU funding rules for transport, MEP Roberta Metsola said.

Speaking as she was submitting a parliamentary question to the European Commission, in which she called for additional flexibility for Gozo when it came to the aid ceiling for road transport costs.

Gozitan businesses were faced with much higher costs than the €200,000 aid ceiling for and such a one-size-fits-all approach meant that the playing field was being skewed.

“Gozitan businesses do not want handouts. They just want a fair approach that allows them to compete,” she said.

Dr Metsola argued that the specific characteristics of Gozo required specific exemptions from this rule.

“If we really want to see Gozo as a business hub, we must act and lighten the burden to do business in Gozo,” Dr Metsola said.